Table of Contents
Installing the Switch
This chapter describes how to install the Catalyst 4912G switch. For first-time installations, perform the procedures in the following sections in the order listed.
Note Before starting the installation procedures in this chapter, complete the site planning checklist in "Site Planning."
The following sections provide safety information that you should read and understand to ensure a safe switch installation.
Follow these guidelines to ensure your safety and protect the equipment. This list is not inclusive of all potentially hazardous situations that you may be exposed to as you install the switch, so be alert.
 | Warning
Only trained and qualified personnel should be allowed to install or replace this equipment. |
- Always use caution when lifting heavy equipment. See the "Lifting the Chassis Safely" section, before lifting the Catalyst 4912G switch.
- Always turn all power supplies OFF by unplugging all power cords before installing or removing a chassis.
 | Warning
Unplug the power cord before you work on a system that does not have an on/off switch. |
Note To completely de-energize the system, unplug the power cord and disconnect the RPSU cable.
- Keep the chassis area clear and free of dust during and after installation.
- Keep tools and chassis components off the floor and away from foot traffic.
- Avoid wearing jewelry (including rings and chains) or other items that could get caught in the chassis. Avoid wearing any loose clothing or securely fasten items such as ties, scarves, or sleeves.
 | Warning
Before working on equipment that is connected to power lines, remove jewelry (including rings, necklaces, and watches). Metal objects will heat up when connected to power and ground and can cause serious burns or weld the metal object to the terminals. |
- Install the system in compliance with the following local and national electrical codes:
- United States---National Fire Protection Association (NFPA 70); United States National Electrical Code
- Canada---Canadian Electrical Code, Part I, CSA C22.1
- Other countries---International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) 364, Part 1 through Part 7
Follow these basic guidelines when working with any electrical equipment:
- Before beginning any procedures requiring access to the chassis interior, locate the emergency power-off switch for the room in which you are working.
- Disconnect all power and external cables before installing or removing a chassis.
- Do not work alone when potentially hazardous conditions exist.
- Never assume that power has been disconnected from a circuit; always check.
- Do not perform any action that creates a potential hazard to people or makes the equipment unsafe.
- Carefully examine your work area for possible hazards such as moist floors, ungrounded power extension cables, and missing safety grounds.
Electrostatic discharge (ESD) damage occurs when electronic cards or components are improperly handled and can result in complete or intermittent failures. Follow these guidelines to prevent ESD damage:
- Always use an ESD-preventive wrist or ankle strap and ensure that it makes good skin contact.
- When coming into contact with any internal components, always use a wrist strap connected to one of the following:
- ESD wrist strap connector
- Any unpainted grounded surface on the chassis or equipment rack
 | Caution
Periodically check the resistance value of the antistatic strap. The measurement should be between 1 and 10 megohms (Mohms). |
Note Do not discard the shipping container when you unpack the switch. Flatten the shipping cartons and store them. You will need the container if you need to move or ship the switch in the future.
Check the contents of the accessories box against the Accessories Box Components Checklist and the packing slip. Verify that you received all listed equipment, which should include the following:
- Switch hardware and software documentation, if ordered
- Optional equipment that you ordered, such as network interface cables, transceivers, or special connectors
To begin installation, proceed to "Rack-Mounting the Switch" section.
A standard rack-mount kit is included for mounting the switch in a standard 19-inch (48.3 cm) equipment rack with two unobstructed outer posts, with a minimum depth (between the front and rear mounting posts) of 19.25 inches (48.9 cm) and a maximum depth of 32 inches (81.3 cm). This kit is not suitable for racks with obstructions (such as a power strip) that could impair access to the switch.
 | Caution
Before installing the chassis in a rack, read the "Safety Overview" section to familiarize yourself with the proper site and environmental conditions. Failure to read and follow these guidelines could lead to an unsuccessful installation and possible damage to the system and components. |
 | Warning
To prevent bodily injury when mounting or servicing this unit in a rack, you must take special precautions to ensure that the system remains stable. The following guidelines are provided to ensure your safety: |
- This unit should be mounted near the bottom of the rack if it is the only unit in the rack.
- When mounting this unit in a partially filled rack, load the rack from the bottom to the top with the heaviest component at the bottom of the rack.
- If the rack is provided with stabilizing devices, install the stabilizers before mounting or servicing the unit in the rack.
Before rack-mounting the switch, ensure the following:
- The equipment rack is the proper size.
- The width of the rack, between the two front mounting strips or rails, must be 17.75 inches (45.09 cm).
- The depth of the rack, between the front and rear mounting strips, must be at least 19.25 inches (48.9 cm) but not more than 32 inches (81.3 cm).
- The rack must have sufficient vertical clearance to insert the chassis. The chassis height is 2.63 inches (6.6 cm).
- The equipment rack is stable and in no danger of falling over.
- Ensure that the shelf is constructed to support the weight and dimensions of the chassis. For physical specifications, see "Specifications."
- Whenever possible, bolt the rack to the floor.
- Mount the unit at the bottom of the rack if it is the only unit in the rack.
- Install heavier equipment in the lower half of the rack to maintain a low center of gravity and prevent the rack from becoming top-heavy and tipping over.
- Install the stabilizers before mounting or servicing the switch in the rack (if the rack is provided with stabilizing devices).
- The equipment rack is properly ventilated.
- Install the chassis in an enclosed rack only if it has adequate ventilation or an exhaust fan; use an open rack whenever possible.
- Ensure that the ambient temperature of the rack environment does not exceed a maximum temperature of 104ºF (40ºC). Note that if the switch is installed in a closed or multiunit rack assembly, the ambient operating temperature of the rack environment might be higher than the ambient room temperature.
- Note that a ventilation system in a closed rack that is too powerful might also prevent cooling by creating negative pressure around the chassis and redirecting the air away from the chassis intake vent. If necessary, operate the chassis with the rack open.
- To prevent airflow restriction, allow at least 3 inches (7.6 cm) of clearance around the ventilation openings.
 | Warning
To prevent the switch from overheating, do not operate it in an area that exceeds the maximum recommended ambient temperature of 104ºF (40ºC). To prevent airflow restriction, allow at least 3 inches (7.6 cm) of clearance around the ventilation openings. |
- Use baffles correctly to assist in cooling the chassis.
- Note that equipment near the bottom of a rack may generate excessive heat that is drawn upward and into the intake ports of equipment above, leading to overtemperature conditions in the chassis at or near the top of the rack.
- Consider the equipment and cabling that is already installed in the rack. Ensure that cables from other equipment will not obstruct the airflow through the chassis or impair access to the power supplies or switching modules. Route cables away from field-replaceable components to avoid disconnecting cables unnecessarily for equipment maintenance or upgrades.
- Allow at least 3 to 4 feet (91.4 to 121.9 cm) of clearance behind the rack for maintenance and removal of switch assemblies. If the rack is mobile, you can push it back within 1 foot (30.45 cm) of a wall or cabinet for normal operation and pull it out when necessary for maintenance.
The chassis is not intended to be moved frequently. Before you install the switch, ensure that your site is properly prepared so that you can avoid moving the chassis later to accommodate power sources and network connections.
Whenever you lift a chassis(s) or any heavy object, follow these guidelines:
- Ensure that your footing is solid, and balance the weight of the chassis between your feet.
- Lift the chassis slowly; never move suddenly or twist your body as you lift.
- Keep your back straight and lift with your legs, not your back. If you must bend down to lift the chassis, bend at the knees, not at the waist, to reduce the strain on your lower back muscles (see Figure 4-1).
- Always disconnect all external cables before lifting or moving the chassis.
Figure 4-1: Unsafe Lifting Practices
The following tools and equipment are required to install the chassis:
- Number 1, number 2 Phillips, and 3/16-inch flat-blade screwdriver
- Antistatic mat or antistatic foam
- Your own ESD grounding strap or the disposable ESD strap included with the system
The following tools and equipment are required to install the chassis in a rack:
- Rack-mount kit
- Tape measure and level
Use this procedure to install the Catalyst 4912G switch in a rack.
Step 1 Prepare for installation as follows:
(a) Place the chassis on the floor or on a sturdy table as close as possible to the rack. Leave enough clearance to allow you to move around the chassis.
(b) Use a tape measure to measure the depth of the rack. Measure from the outside of the front mounting posts to the outside of the rear mounting strip. The depth must be at least 19.25 inches (48.9 cm) but not greater than 32 inches (81.3 cm).
(c) Measure the space between the inner edges of the left front and right front mounting posts to ensure that it is 17.75 inches (45.09 cm) wide. (The chassis is 17.5 inches [44 cm] wide and must fit between the mounting posts.)
(d) Open the rack-mount kit and see the component checklist in Table 4-1 to verify that all parts are included.
Table 4-1: Catalyst 4912G Switch: Rack-Mount Kit Checklist
| Quantity
| Part Description
| Received
|
2
| L brackets
|
|
4
| M4 Phillips pan-head screws
|
|
4
| 12-24 x 3/4-inch Phillips binder-head screws
|
|
Note Figure 4-2 illustrates how to attach the front of the switch to the rack. You can also attach the rear of the switch to the rack, depending on the configuration of your rack.
Step 2 Note that the L brackets connect the chassis to the rack. You can mount the L brackets to the front or rear mounting holes of the chassis, depending on which end is in the front of the rack.
Note Some equipment racks provide a power strip along the length of one of the rear posts. If the rack has this feature, consider the position of the strip when planning fastener points. Before installing the L brackets on the chassis, determine whether to install the chassis from the front or the rear of the rack.
Attach the left and right L brackets using the four M4 Phillips pan-head screws provided in the rack-mount kit (see Figure 4-2).
Figure 4-2: Attaching the L Brackets to the Catalyst 4912G

Step 3 Install the chassis in the rack as follows:
(a) Position the chassis in the rack as follows (see Figure 4-3):
- If the chassis front panel is in the front of the rack, insert the rear of the chassis between the mounting posts
- If the rear of the chassis is in the front of the rack, insert the front of the chassis between the mounting posts
(b) Align the mounting holes in the L bracket with the mounting holes in the equipment rack.
(c) Secure the chassis using six (three per side) 12-24 x 3/4-inch screws through the elongated holes in the L bracket and into the threaded holes in the mounting post.
(d) Use a tape measure and level to ensure that the chassis is installed straight and level.
Figure 4-3: Installing the Catalyst 4912G in the Rack

Step 4 Note that the Catalyst 4912G switch will power up when you connect the chassis power cord. Do not connect the power cord at this time. Proceed to "Connecting Power to the Catalyst 4912G" section.
Use the following steps and warnings when connecting power to the Catalyst 4912G.
Step 1 Prior to connecting the power supply to a power source, ensure that all site power and grounding requirements described in Chapter 3, "Site Planning," have been met.
Step 2 Plug the power cord into the chassis.
Step 3 Connect the other end of the power cord to an AC-power input source.
 | Warning
This product relies on the building's installation for short-circuit (overcurrent) protection. Ensure that a fuse or circuit breaker no larger than 120 VAC, 15A U.S. (240 VAC, 10A international) is used on the phase conductors (all current-carrying conductors). |
Step 4 Verify power supply operation by checking the front panel power supply LEDs:
- The LED is green when the power supply is functioning normally
- The LED is red when the power supply is not functioning normally
From the system console, enter the show system command line to display the power supply and system status. For more information on command lines, see the Command Reference publication.
If the LEDs or show system command indicate a power or other system problem, see "Troubleshooting the Installation," for troubleshooting information.







Posted: Thu Apr 8 13:47:52 PDT 1999
Copyright 1989-1999©Cisco Systems Inc.