CASE STUDY: AFCO Systems Switch Racks and Enclosures Keep Network Switches and VOIP implementations In line with Advanced Airflow and Cable Management

Introduction

Today’s high-end network switches from Cisco, Brocade, Juniper and others are often replacing older, room-sized PBX systems with manageable, scalable VoIP gateways. But these switches can come with their own challenges: they’re big, cable-intensive, create high levels of heat and sometimes have unique airflow designs.

Four-Post Solution

For most datacenters, this means deploying four-post racks to provide greater stability, plus intensive cable management that also enables front panel access for active patching.

AFCO Systems designed its four-post racks to combine the strength and advantages of a stable, large equipment datacenter cabinet with the benefits of a flexible cable management system. The AFCO Systems Switch Rack is perfect for datacenters that must enable complete access to network switches, while effectively supporting power and bulk cable needs. It is a progressive, multifunctional structure that provides two storage solutions simultaneously: an equipment bay and a cable management unit combined in a single, innovative approach. The enhanced design gives greater cable management capacity, while utilizing quick release equipment shelves.

Overall, the Switch Rack has a height of 84 inches with 45-rack units. Its open style frame has no airflow restrictions and the 2 sq. ft. footprint provides superior stability and greater protection for equipment The rack conforms to EIA standard for 19″ equipment mounting giving the user the flexibility to mount any standard 19 inch EIA components.

HDS Solution

For network switches that employ side breathing – channeling airflow from a cool-air intake on the right to a hot-air exhaust on the left – placement and access can become a problem. A standard open rack placed side-by-side can create a cascading heat regain. In this dangerous scenario, hot air is exhausted from one cabinet into the cool air intake of the next cabinet, possibly causing thermal problems and shut-downs.

For this scenario, AFCO developed the High-Density Network System (HDS), datacenter enclosures that manage airflow from front-to-back or side-to-side, all while maintaining the integrity of switch hardware, power requirements, cabling access and cooling requirements. HDS is enabled with a local Airflow Management Module™ (AMM) that integrates seamlessly with our AFCO Resource Manager for remote management of power and cooling resources. The HDS enclosure is equally suited for single- or multiple-enclosure applications in both datacenters and networking closets. Built-in side barriers disrupt the negative cascading heat patterns, providing an optimal operating environment. The HDS system also offers an economy of space-saving advantages over traditional racks, with a compact footprint, the capability to house two switches in a single enclosure and the ability to gang multiple enclosures in a row.

A Practical Example

This solution was implemented for a large financial institution in New York City that required both space savings and easy cable access in side-by-side racks – without causing a cascading heat regain situation. In order to avoid setting off thermal alarms throughout its datacenter, the company turned to AFCO Systems for relief.

Using the AFCO HDS datacenter enclosures provided the power management and cooling necessary to keep the financial company’s massive Cisco switches humming, while enabling front panel cable access and channeling airflow. The solution is now handling a 12kW heat load.

“AFCO has a long history providing power and cooling enclosures for industries including financial, media and retail. We understand the mission-critical nature of the datacenter and by working with industry leaders we have been able to provide the solutions our customers have come to expect,” said John Consoli, AFCO Systems Chief Technology Officer.