IBM XIV Gen3 Series, Planning Manual

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v Improves operational efficiency and provides greater flexibility in the
arrangement of equipment.
v
Increases air circulation for better cooling.
v Protects the interconnecting cables and power receptacles.
v Prevents tripping hazards because cables can be routed underneath the raised
floor.
When you install on a raised floor, consider the following factors:
v The raised floor must be constructed of fire-resistant or noncombustible material.
v Avoid the exposure of metal or highly conductive material at ground potential
to the walking surface when a metallic raised floor structure is used. Such
exposure is considered an electrical safety hazard.
v
The raised floor height must be at least 30.5 cm (12 in.). Clearance must be
adequate to accommodate interconnecting cables, Fibre Channel cable raceways,
power distribution, and any piping that is present under the floor. Floors with
greater raised floor heights allow for better equipment cooling.
v When a raised floor tile is cut for cable entry or air supply, an extra floor tile
support (pedestal) might be required to restore the structural integrity of the
panel to the previous requirement.
v The use of a protective covering (such as plywood, tempered masonite, or
plyron) is required to prevent damage to floor tiles, carpeting, and panels while
equipment is being moved into or is relocated within the installation site. When
the equipment is moved, the dynamic load on the casters is greater than when
the equipment is stationary.
v
Concrete subfloors require treatment to prevent the release of dust.
v Use noncombustible protective molding to eliminate sharp edges on all floor
cutouts to prevent damage to cables and hoses, and to prevent casters from
rolling into the floor cutout.
v Seal raised-floor cable openings to prevent the escape of chilled air.
v Pedestals must be firmly attached to the structural (concrete) floor by using an
adhesive.
For more information, see “Preparing for raised-floor installation and cabling” on
page 32.
Non-raised floor considerations
Raised floors are preferred because they provide better support for the cabling and
to ensure efficient cooling for the XIV system; however, overhead cabling at the
rear of the rack is available when the XIV system is installed on a non-raised floor.
Unlike raised-floor cabling, the installation planning, cable length, and the rack
location in relation to the cable opening at the top of the rack are critical to the
successful installation when using overhead cabling.
For more information, see “Preparing for non-raised-floor installation and cabling”
on page 33.
Floor-load requirements
You must ensure that the floor load rating can support the weight of the IBM XIV
Storage System.
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IBM XIV Gen3 281x-11x, 281x-21x, and 281x-314 Planning Guide