Dell PowerEdge 2550 User manual

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Dell™ Systems
RACK INSTALLATION GUIDE

Notes, Notices, Cautions, and
Warnings
NOTE: A NOTE indicates important information that helps you make better
use of your computer.
NOTICE: A NOTICE indicates either potential damage to hardware or loss of
data and tells you how to avoid the problem.
CAUTION: A CAUTION indicates a potentially hazardous situation
which, if not avoided, may result in minor or moderate injury.
WARNING: A WARNING indicates a potentially hazardous
situation which, if not avoided, may result in severe injury.
____________________
Information in this document is subject to change without notice.
© 2001 Dell Computer Corporation. All rights reserved.
Reproduction in any manner whatsoever without the written permission of
Dell Computer Corporation is strictly forbidden.
Trademarks used in this text:
Dell , the DELL logo, PowerEdge , and RapidRails are trademarks
of Dell Computer Corporation.
Other trademarks and trade names may be used in this document to refer to either the entities
claiming the marks and names or their products. Dell Computer Corporation disclaims any
proprietary interest in trademarks and trade names other than its own.
March 2001 P/N 84EEC Rev. A01

Rack Installation Guide 3
Safety Instructions
Use the following safety guidelines to ensure your own personal safety and to help protect
your server, storage system, or appliance from potential damage. For complete safety,
regulatory, and warranty information, see your system’s System Information document.
Precautions for Rack-Mountable Products
Observe the following precautions for rack stability and safety. Also see the rack installation
documentation accompanying the system and the rack for specific warning and/or caution
statements and procedures.
Servers, storage systems, and appliances are considered to be components in a rack. Thus,
“component” refers to any server, storage system, or appliance, as well as to various
peripherals or supporting hardware.
WARNING: Installing Dell system components in a Dell rack without the
front and side stabilizers installed could cause the rack to tip over, potentially
resulting in bodily injury under certain circumstances. Therefore, always install
the stabilizers before installing components in the rack.
After installing system/components in a rack, never pull more than one
component out of the rack on its slide assemblies at one time. The weight of
more than one extended component could cause the rack to tip over and injure
someone.
NOTE: Dell’s servers, storage systems, and appliances are certified as components for use in
Dell’s rack cabinet using the Dell customer rack kit. The final installation of Dell systems and
rack kits in any other brand of rack cabinet has not been approved by any safety agencies. It is
the customer’s responsibility to have the final combination of Dell systems and rack kits for use
in other brands of rack cabinets evaluated for suitability by a certified safety agency.
• System rack kits are intended to be installed in a Dell rack by trained service
technicians. If you install the kit in any other rack, be sure that the rack meets the
specifications of a Dell rack.
• Do not move large racks by yourself. Due to the height and weight of the rack, Dell
recommends a minimum of two people to accomplish this task.
• Before working on the rack, make sure that the stabilizers are secure to the rack, extend
to the floor, and that the full weight of the rack rests on the floor. Install front and side
stabilizers on a single rack or front stabilizers for joined multiple racks before working
on the rack.

4Rack Installation Guide
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• Always load the rack from the bottom up, and load the heaviest item in the rack first.
• Make sure that the rack is level and stable before extending a component from
the rack.
• Use caution when pressing the component rail release latches and sliding a component
into or out of a rack; the slide rails can pinch your fingers.
• After a component is inserted into the rack, carefully extend the rail into a locking
position, and then slide the component into the rack.
• Do not overload the AC supply branch circuit that provides power to the rack.
The total rack load should not exceed 80 percent of the branch circuit rating.
• Ensure that proper airflow is provided to components in the rack.
• Do not step on or stand on any system or component when servicing other systems or
components in a rack.

Contents 5
Contents
Two-Post Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-1
Two-Post Support Tray Kit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-1
Recommended Tools and Supplies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-3
Two-Post Rack Installation Tasks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-3
Marking the Rack . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-3
Two-Post RapidRails Kit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-11
Four-Post Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-22
Four-Post RapidRails Rack Kit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-22
Before You Begin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-23
Recommended Tools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-23
Four-Post RapidRails Rack Installation Tasks . . . . . . . . . 1-24
Marking the Rack . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-24
Installing the Slide Assemblies in the Rack . . . . . . . . . . 1-26
Installing the System in the Rack . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-28
Installing the Cable-Management Arm . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-30
Figures
Figure 1-1. Two-Post Support Tray Rack Kit
Components . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-2
Figure 1-2. Two-Post, Open-Frame Relay Rack
With Universal-Hole Spacing . . . . . . . . 1-4
Figure 1-3. Two-Post, Open-Frame Relay Rack
WithWide-HoleSpacing . . . . . . . . . 1-5
Figure 1-4. Installing the Support Tray in a Rack
With Universal-Hole Spacing . . . . . . . . 1-6
Figure 1-5. Installing the Support Tray in a Rack
WithWide-HoleSpacing . . . . . . . . . 1-7

6Contents
Figure 1-6. Installing the Center-Mount Brackets
totheSupportTray . . . . . . . . . . . 1-8
Figure 1-7. Installing the Support Tray in a Rack
With Universal-Hole Spacing . . . . . . . . 1-9
Figure 1-8. Installing the Support Tray in a Rack
WithWide-HoleSpacing . . . . . . . . 1-10
Figure 1-9. Securing the System in the Rack
(Flush-Mounted Tray Shown on
Universal-Hole Spacing Rack) . . . . . . 1-11
Figure 1-10. Two-Post RapidRails Rack Kit
Components . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-12
Figure 1-11. Installing the Slide Assemblies for
Center-Mount Configuration . . . . . . . 1-15
Figure 1-12. Positioning Brackets for Flush-Mount
Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-16
Figure 1-13. Installing the Slide Assemblies
for Flush-Mount Configuration . . . . . . 1-17
Figure 1-14. Installing the System in the Rack
(Flush-MountConfiguration) . . . . . . . 1-18
Figure 1-15. Securing the System in the Rack
(Flush-MountConfiguration) . . . . . . . 1-19
Figure 1-16. Installing the Cable Management Arm . . . 1-20
Figure 1-17. Attaching the Strain Relief Bracket . . . . 1-21
Figure 1-18. Four-Post RapidRails Rack Kit Contents . . 1-23
Figure1-19. OneRackUnit. . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-24
Figure 1-20. Using the Template to Mark
VerticalRails . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-25
Figure 1-21. Installing the Slide Assemblies . . . . . . 1-27
Figure 1-22. Installing the System in the Rack . . . . . 1-29
Figure 1-23. Installing the Cable Management Arm . . . 1-30
Figure 1-24. Attaching the Strain Relief Bracket . . . . 1-31

Rack Installation Guide 1-1
This installation guide provides instructions for trained service technicians installing one or
more Dell™ systems in a Dell rack. One rack kit is required for each system installed in the
rack. This guide includes procedures for two-post and four-post rack kits.
CAUTION: Do not attempt to install rack kit components designed for another
system. Use only the rack kit for your Dell system. Damage to the system and
personal injury may result.
Two-Post Installation
There are two types of two-post rack kits: a two-post support tray kit and a two-post
RapidRails™ rack kit. You can install each kit in a flush-mount or a center-mount
configuration.
Two-Post Support Tray Kit
The two-post support tray kit is used to install a Dell system in a two-post, open-frame relay
rack, such as those found in telecommunications equipment facilities. Both 3-inch and
6-inch wide two-post racks are accommodated. You can install this kit in a center-mount or
a flush-mount configuration.
You must properly secure the two-post rack to the floor, to the ceiling or upper wall, and
where applicable, to adjacent racks, using floor and wall fasteners and bracing specified or
approved by the rack manufacturer or by industry standards. See the rack manufacturer’s
installation documentation for precautionary warnings before attempting this installation.
CAUTION: Do not attempt to install the system into a two-post, open-frame relay
rack that has not been securely anchored in place. Damage to the system and
personal injury may result.
See “Safety Instructions” at the front of this document for additional safety information
regarding rack installation.

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Rack Kit Contents
The two-post support tray kit includes (see Figure 1-1):
• One 2-U support tray assembly (two-post)
• Four 12-24 x 0.5-inch pan-head Phillips screws
• Eight 10-32 x 0.375-inch truss-head Phillips screws
• Eight #10 internal-star lock washers
• One pair center-mount brackets
• One 2-U two-post template
Figure 1-1. Two-Post Support Tray Rack Kit Components
support tray
12-24 x 0.5-inch
pan-head
Phillips screw (4)
2-U two-post template
10-32 x 0.375-inch
truss-head Phillips
screw (8)
center-mount brackets (2)
#10 internal-star washer (8)

Rack Installation Guide 1-3
Recommended Tools and Supplies
You need the following tools and supplies to install the system in a two-post,
open-frame relay rack:
•#2Phillipsscrewdriver
• Masking tape or felt-tip marker pen to mark the mounting holes
Two-Post Rack Installation Tasks
Installing a two-post rack kit includes the following tasks:
1Marking the rack
2Flush mount installation
3Center mount installation
4Installing the system in the rack
Marking the Rack
1Determine where you want to place the bottom of the support tray.
If you are installing other components in the rack, install the heaviest items at the
bottom of the rack.
2Place the 2-U template over the front of the rack rails in the desired location.
3Position the bottom of the template in line with the desired bottom position of the
system chassis.
NOTE: If your rack has wide-hole spacing, go to step 5. If your rack has universal-hole spacing,
continue with the next step.
4Mark the upper- and lower-mounting positions on the vertical rails as shown by the
bottom and top V-notches on the sides of the template.
Each 1-U (1.75-inch) vertical space on a rack with universal-hole spacing has three
holes with center-to-center spacing between holes (beginning at the top of a
1-U space) of 0.625, 0.625, and 0.5 inches (see Figure 1-2).

1-4 Rack Installation Guide
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Figure 1-2. Two-Post, Open-Frame Relay Rack With Universal-Hole
Spacing
5If your rack has wide-hole spacing (see Figure 1-3), mark the lower and middle
mounting positions on the vertical rails as shown by the bottom and middle
V-notches on the sides of the template.
Each 1-U (1.75-inch) vertical space on a rack with wide-hole spacing has two holes
with center-to-center spacing between holes (beginning at the top of a 1-U space) of
1.25 inches (see Figure 1-3).
3.5 inches (2 U)
1.75 inch (1
.625
.5 inch
.625

Rack Installation Guide 1-5
Figure 1-3. Two-Post, Open-Frame Relay Rack With Wide-Hole Spacing
CAUTION: The 2-U support tray is designed to support a single system in a
2 -post open frame relay rack. Do not attempt to install any other system in this
support tray. Damage to the system and personal injury to you and others may
result.
Flush-Mount Installation
This procedure uses the same support tray kit, but it does not use the center-mount
brackets.
1Place the support tray into the rack with the bottom of the tray at the marks you made
in step 4 (for a universal-hole spacing rack) or in step 5 (for a wide-hole spacing rack)
in the section, “Marking the Rack.” The center-mount brackets, the 10-32 x
0.375-inch truss-head screws, and the #10 internal-star washers are not used when
mounting the support tray’s front mounting bracket flush against the 2-post rack.
2If you are installing the support tray in a rack with universal-hole spacing, install four
12-24 x 0.5-inch pan-head Phillips screws to secure the support tray using the upper
and lower holes that you marked on the rack’s front surface (see Figure 1-4).
An internally threaded stud projecting from the front of the tray flanges accepts the
captive fasteners on the front panel of the system.
1.75 inch (1
3.5 inch (2 U)
0.5 inch
1.25 inch

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Figure 1-4. Installing the Support Tray in a Rack With Universal-Hole
Spacing
3If you are installing the support tray in a rack with wide-hole spacing, install the
four 12-24 x 0.5-inch pan-head Phillips screws provided to secure the support tray
using the bottom and the middle hole that you marked on the rack’s front surface
(see Figure 1-5).
An internally threaded stud projecting from the front of the support tray flange
accepts the captive fastener on the front of the system.
R
12-24 x 0.5-inch
pan-head Phillips
screws (4)

Rack Installation Guide 1-7
Figure 1-5. Installing the Support Tray in a Rack With Wide-Hole
Spacing
Center-Mount Installation
1Position the left-hand, center-mount bracket with the stamped “L” on its side so that it
faces the stamped “L” on the left side of the support tray. Ensure that the four holes on
the side of the bracket align with the four matching holes on the left side of the
support tray.
2Secure the left-hand, center-mount bracket to the support tray using
four 10-32 x 0.375-inch truss-head Phillips screws with #10 star washers
(see Figure 1-6).
R
12-24 x 0.5-inch
pan-head Phillips
screws (4)

1-8 Rack Installation Guide
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Figure 1-6. Installing the Center-Mount Brackets to the Support Tray
3Install the right-hand, center-mount bracket to the right side of the support tray by
repeating steps 1 and 2. Ensure that the stamped “R” on the bracket faces the stamped
“R” on the right side of the support tray.
4If you are installing the center-mount support tray into a universal-hole spacing rack
with the bottom of the support tray positioned at the place you marked on the rack,
install the four 12 - 24 x 0.5-inch screws finger-tight into the top and bottom holes of
the center-mount bracket (see Figure 1-7).
5Tighten the center-mount bracket screws to the front of the two-post rack.
L
R
10-32 x 0.375-inch
truss-head Phillips screws,
eachwith a #10 star washer (4)

Rack Installation Guide 1-9
Figure 1-7. Installing the Support Tray in a Rack With Universal-Hole
Spacing
6If you are installing the support tray onto a wide-hole spacing relay rack with the
bottom of the support tray positioned at the place you marked on the rack, install the
screws finger tight into the bottom and the marked middle hole of the center-mount
bracket (see Figure 1-8).
12-24 x 0.5-inch
pan-head Phillips
screws (4)

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Figure 1-8. Installing the Support Tray in a Rack With Wide-Hole
Spacing
7Tighten the center-mount bracket screws to the front of the two-post rack.
Installing the System in the Rack
CAUTION: Due to the size and weight of the computer system, never attempt to
install the computer system by yourself.
NOTE: The procedure for installing a system into a rack is identical for flush-mounted and
center-mounted support trays.
1If your system has a bezel, remove it (see the system Installation and Troubleshooting
Guide for instructions).
2Lift the system into position on the support tray.
3Slide the system completely into position and secure it to the rack using the captive
fasteners at the lower edge of the front panel (see Figure 1-9).
12-24 x 0.5-inch
pan-head Phillip
screws (4)

Rack Installation Guide 1-11
Figure 1-9. Securing the System in the Rack (Flush-Mounted Tray
Shown on Universal-Hole Spacing Rack)
4Attach the front bezel, if one is available, to the system (see the system Installation
and Troubleshooting Guide for instructions).
You have completed the installation of the two-post support tray rack.
Two-Post RapidRails Kit
The two-post RapidRails rack kit is used to install a Dell system in a two-post, open-frame
relay rack, such as those found in telecommunications equipment facilities. Both 3-inch
and 6-inch wide two-post racks are accommodated. You can install this kit in a center-
mount or a flush-mount configuration. The kit incorporates slide assemblies, which enable
the system to be pulled out of the rack cabinet for servicing.
You must properly secure the two-post, open-frame relay rack to the floor, the ceiling or
upper wall, and where applicable, to adjacent racks, using floor and wall fasteners and
bracing specified or approved by the rack manufacturer or by industry standards. See the
two-post, open-frame relay rack manufacturer’s installation documentation for
precautionary warnings before attempting this installation.
CAUTION: Do not attempt to install the system into a two-post, open-frame relay
rack that has not been securely anchored in place. Damage to the system and
personal injury may result.
captive
fastener

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See “Safety Instructions” at the front of this document for additional safety information
regarding rack installation.
Rack Kit Contents
The two-post RapidRails kit includes (see Figure 1-10):
• One pair of RapidRails slide assemblies (two-post)
• One cable-management arm
• Eight 12-24 x 0.5-inch pan-head Phillips screws
• One 2-U two-post template
Figure 1-10. Two-Post RapidRails Rack Kit Components
RapidRails slide assemblies (2)
template
12-24 x 0.5-inch pan-head
Phillips screw (8)
cable-management arm

Rack Installation Guide 1-13
Recommended Tools and Supplies
You need the following tools and supplies to install the system in a two-post
open-frame relay rack:
•#2Phillipsscrewdriver
• 3/8-inch nut driver
• Masking tape or felt-tip marker pen to mark the mounting holes
Two-Post RapidRails Rack Installation Tasks
Installing a two-post RapidRails rack kit includes the following tasks:
1Marking the rack
2Installing the slide assemblies in the rack
aCenter mount installation
bFlush mount installation
3Installing the system in the rack
4Installing the cable management arm
Marking the Rack
1Determine where you want to place the bottom of the system.
If you are installing other components in the rack, install the heaviest items at the
bottom of the rack.
2Place the 2-U template over the front of the rack rails in the desired location.
3Position the bottom of the template in line with the desired bottom position of the
system chassis.
NOTE: If your rack has wide hole spacing, go to step 5. If your rack has universal-hole spacing,
continue with the next step.
4Mark the upper- and lower-mounting positions on the vertical rails as shown by the
bottom and top V-notches on the sides of the template.
Each 1-U (1.75-inch) vertical space on a rack with universal-hole spacing has three
holes with center-to-center spacing between holes (beginning at the top of a
1-U space) of 0.625, 0.625, and 0.5 inches (see Figure 1-2).

1-14 Rack Installation Guide
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5If your rack has wide hole spacing (see Figure 1-3), mark the lower and middle
mounting positions on the vertical rails as shown by the bottom and middle
V-notches on the sides of the template.
Each 1-U (1.75-inch) vertical space on a rack with wide hole spacing has two holes
with center-to-center spacing between holes (beginning at the top of a 1-U space) of
1.25 inches (see Figure 1-3).
Installing the Slide Assemblies in the Rack
You can install the slide assemblies in a 2-post open-frame rack having either universal-hole
spacing (see Figure 1-2) or wide hole spacing (see Figure 1-3). You can install the 2-U
RapidRails in either a flush-mount or center-mount configuration.
CAUTION: The 2-U RapidRails rack kit is designed to support a single system in a
2-post open frame relay rack. Do not attempt to install any other system using
this kit. Damage to the system and personal injury to you and others may result.
Center-Mount Installation
To prepare the RapidRails slide assemblies for center-mount installation in the 2-post rack,
perform the following steps:
1Using a 3/8-inch nut driver, loosen by one-half turn the two locking nuts that attach
the center bracket to each slide assembly.
2Center the alignment hole on the bracket with an appropriate alignment hole on each
slide assembly. There is an alignment hole on each movable bracket(see Figure 1-12).
3Position the right slide assembly in the two-post rack at the location you marked,
adjust the front and rear brackets tightly against the vertical two-post rack and secure
the front and rear center mounting brackets to the rack with two 12-24 x 0.5-inch
pan-head Phillips screws.
4Repeat step 3 to install the left slide assembly in the rack.
5Using a 3/8-inch nut driver, tighten the locking nuts on the center mounting brackets
of both right and left slide assemblies (see Figure 1-11).