Adding and Replacing Power Supplies in
4100/4300/6400/6800/8400/8800
Platforms
PUB-0167-02
Product Version
This manual applies to the 4100, 4300, 6400, 6800, 8400, and 8800 platforms created by F5 Networks, Inc.
Publication Date
This manual was published on July 26, 2010.
Legal Notices
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Adding and Replacing Power Supplies in 4100/4300/6400/6800/8400/8800 Platforms
i
VCCI Class A Compliance
This is a Class A product. In a domestic environment, this product may cause radio interference, in which
case the user may be required to take corrective actions. VCCI-A
ii
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Adding and Replacing Power Supplies
About power supply replacements
This document describes how to add or replace a power supply in
4100/4300/6400/6800/8400/8800 platforms. In addition, this document
describes how to distinguish between the different types of power supplies
and how to select the correct power supply for your system.
To complete this procedure, you need the following:
• Flat-head screwdriver
• Information regarding the type of power supply currently in the platform
Note
The images in this document might differ from your platform and are
provided for reference only.
WARNING
To prevent damage to your platform, you must read this entire document.
WARNING
This product is sensitive to electrostatic discharge (ESD). We recommend
that when you install or maintain the platform, you use proper ESD
grounding procedures and equipment.
8800 platform considerations
When replacing or adding a power supply to an 8800 platform, you must
ensure that the platform is running Switch Card Control Processor (SCCP)
version 12.0.5. This version of the SCCP allows the platform to run on a
single 475W power supply unit.
To learn more about SCCP 12.0.5, please review the SCCP 12.0.5 release
note located on the Ask F5SM web site, https://support.f5.com.
Identifying the power supply
If you are installing an additional power supply into the platform, it is
important to identify which power supply the platform currently uses. There
two types of power supplies available: Alpha and Cherokee.
Alpha power supplies
The Alpha power supplies are older power supplies that the Cherokee power
supply units replace. If your system uses Alpha power supplies and you
need to replace one supply, you must replace both, as the Alpha and
Cherokee power supplies are incompatible with each other.
The Alpha power supplies exist in two varieties:
• 460W, which are available for the 8x00 and 4300 platforms
• 400W, which are available for the 6x00 and 4100 platforms
WARNING
It is extremely important that you identify which power supply is currently in
the platform. Mixing the two power supplies will damage the platform.
Figure 1 and Figure 2, on page 1-4, illustrate the appearance of the Alpha
power supplies.
Figure 1 Alpha power supply (top view)
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Adding and Replacing Power Supplies
Figure 2 Alpha power supply (front view)
Cherokee power supplies
The Cherokee power supplies are newer power supply units that replace the
existing Alpha power supplies. There are two types of Cherokee power
supplies available:
• 475W, which are available for the 8400, 8800, and 4300 platforms
• 425W, which are available for the 6400, 6800, and 4100 platforms
WARNING
It is extremely important that you identify which power supply is currently in
the platform. Mixing the two power supplies will damage the platform.
Figure 3 and Figure 4, on page 1-5, illustrate the appearance of the Cherokee
power supplies.
Figure 3 Cherokee power supply (top view)
Adding and Replacing Power Supplies in 4100/4300/6400/6800/8400/8800 Platforms
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Figure 4 Cherokee power supply (front view)
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Adding and Replacing Power Supplies
Adding or replacing a power supply
Once you have confirmed that you have the correct power supply, you can
install it into the platform.
The design of 4100/4300/6400/6800/8400/8800 platforms is such that you
can remove a power supply from the chassis without powering down the
system, provided that there is at least one power supply operating during the
replacement process.
To add or replace a power supply
1. Identify the type of power supply that you are replacing:
a) If you are replacing an Alpha power supply, power down the
platform and remove all power cords.
Important: You cannot mix Alpha and Cherokee power supplies,
so you must remove and replace both supplies in the platform.
Because of this, you cannot leave the platform powered on.
b) If you are replacing a Cherokee power supply in a dual-power
supply platform that has at least one power supply operating, you
do not need to power down the system.
2. On the front of the platform, open the door located on the left side,
as shown in Figure 5.
Figure 5 The left door, located at the front of the platform
Adding and Replacing Power Supplies in 4100/4300/6400/6800/8400/8800 Platforms
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3. If you are replacing an existing power supply, remove the power
supply from its power supply bay.
If you are adding a new power supply, use a flat-head screwdriver to
remove the F5 Networks faceplate from the second power supply
bay (see Figure 6 and Figure 7).
Figure 6 Removing the F5 nameplate, part 1
Figure 7 Removing the F5 nameplate, part 2
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Adding and Replacing Power Supplies
4. Position the new power supply so that the mounting screws line up
with the holes on the platform, as shown in Figure 8.
Figure 8 Position of power supply mounting screws
5. Gently slide the new power supply into the second power supply
bay, ensuring the CE label is facing up, as shown in Figure 9.
Warning: The power supply connector or any of its pins may be
damaged with forceful or incorrect insertion. If the power supply
unit does not appear to engage correctly, pull the unit back out
partially and gently re insert it until correct engagement is
achieved.
Figure 9 Inserting a new power supply
Adding and Replacing Power Supplies in 4100/4300/6400/6800/8400/8800 Platforms
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6. Push in the supply firmly, until it is fully seated, but do not force it
into the platform.
Figure 10 Position of power supply after insertion
7. While tightening the screws, position the lanyard, as shown in
Figure 11, to minimize obstruction to the power switch and left
panel door when closing.
Figure 11 Positioning the wire lanyard to minimize obstruction to the
power switch
8. Close the door and plug in all power cables, if necessary.
9. Power on the platform, if it was powered off during the replacement
process.
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