C H A P T E R 2

Site Preparation

This section contains information about the following system site requirements for the Sun Fire B1600 blade system chassis:

Section 2.1, System Cooling Requirements

Section 2.2, Operating Power Limits and Ranges

Section 2.3, Estimating Power Consumption

2.1 System Cooling Requirements

This section provides the general environmental parameters and airflow requirements for the Sun Fire B1600 blade system chassis.

Note - The Sun Fire B1600 blade system chassis uses front-to-back forced air cooling.

2.1.1 General Environmental Parameters

You can operate and store the system safely in the conditions detailed in TABLE 2-1, FIGURE 2-1 and FIGURE 2-2.


Specification	Operating	Storage
Ambient temperature	5°C to 35°C maximum ambient temperature is derated by 1°C per 500m altitude above 500m	-40°C to 65°C
Relative humidity	10% to 90% RH non-condensing, 27°C max wet bulb	up to 93% RH non-condensing, 38°C max wet bulb
Altitude	-400m up to 3000m	-400m up to 12000m

FIGURE 2-1 Temperature and Altitude Operating Ranges

Graph showing temperature and altitude operating ranges.

FIGURE 2-2 Temperature and Relative Humidity Ranges

Graph showing temperature and relative humidity ranges.

2.1.1.1 Recommended Environment Parameters

Your environmental control system must provide intake air for the server which complies with the limits specified in General Environmental Parameters.

To avoid overheating, do not direct warmed air:

towards the front of the cabinet or rack

towards the server access panels

Note - When you receive your system, leave it in the shipping crate at its final destination for 24 hours in the environment in which you will install it. This is to prevent thermal shock and condensation.

The operating environmental limits in TABLE 2-1 reflect what the systems have been tested to, in order to meet all functional requirements. Operating computer equipment in extremes of temperature or humidity increases the failure rate of hardware components. To minimize the chance of component failure, use the server within the optimal temperature and humidity ranges.

2.1.1.2 Ambient Temperature

An ambient temperature range of 21°C to 23°C is optimal for system reliability. At 22°C it is easy to maintain safe relative humidity levels. Operating in this temperature range provides a buffer in the event of the environmental support systems failing.

2.1.1.3 Ambient Relative Humidity

Ambient relative humidity levels between 45% and 50% are the most suitable for data processing operations in order to:

prevent corrosion

provide an operating time buffer in the event of environmental control system failure

help avoid failures caused by the intermittent interference from static discharges that occur when relative humidity is too low.

Electrostatic discharge (ESD) is easily generated and less easily dissipated in areas where the relative humidity is below 35%, and becomes critical when levels drop below 30%.

2.1.2 Airflow Requirements

The Sun Fire B1600 blade system chassis has been designed to function in a natural convection airflow when mounted in a rack or cabinet and uses front-to-back forced air cooling. To meet the declared environmental specification follow these guidelines:

The Sun Fire B1600 blade system chassis uses PSU fans that can achieve a maximum airflow of 160 cfm in free air. Ensure that there is sufficient airflow through the rack or cabinet.

The rack or cabinet in which the system chassis is mounted must provide inlet air at the front of the system chassis. The airflow exhausts horizontally from the PSU and SSC modules located at the back of the system chassis and must be able to leave the cabinet.

Inlet and exhaust ventilation must both have a minimum open area of
22 in² (142 cm²) for each system chassis.

The use of perforated or solid door panels must allow adequate airflow to the system chassis when the cabinet doors are closed.

2.1.3 Estimating the Heat Dissipation

To estimate the heat generated by a Sun Fire B1600 blade system chassis convert the figure for the system's power consumption from watts to BTU/hr.

The formula to convert from watts to BTU/hr is to multiply the power in watts by 3.415. For example:

total power consumption of blades + total power consumption of SSCs + total power consumption of PSUs x 3.415 = xxxxx BTU/hr

For power consumption figures for the SSC, the PSU and blades, see Estimating Power Consumption

Note - Do not install multiple Sun Fire B1600 blade system chassis in a four-post rack or cabinet unless your cooling system is capable of dissipating in excess of the total thermal load.

2.2 Operating Power Limits and Ranges


Description	Operating Limit or Range
Maximum operating current ^[1]	16A @ 110 VAC 8A @ 240 VAC
Maximum power supply rating ^{^[2]}	12A @ 110 VAC 6A @ 240 VAC
Maximum in-rush current ^[3]	20A
Operating input voltage range (auto-ranging)	110 to 240 VAC
Voltage frequency range	47 to 63 Hz
Power factor	0.95 to 1.0
BTU/Hr rating	xxxxx BTU/Hr. This value will depend on the estimated heat dissipation. See Estimating the Heat Dissipation for more information.

2.3 Estimating Power Consumption

To estimate the total power consumption for one or more Sun Fire B1600 blade system chassis installed in a single rack or cabinet, add together the individual power requirement figures for each system chassis you have installed , using the values in TABLE 2-3. A minimum system configuration would be:

One blade + one SSC + two PSUs


System Chassis Components	Power Consumption (max)
one SSC	Add 65W per SSC
one PSU	Add 110 W per PSU
one B100s Blade	Add 35 W per blade
one B100x Blade	Add 48W per blade
one B200x Blade	Add 126 W per blade

^{1 (TableFootnote) Each power cord provides approximately one half of the input current during normal system operation.}

^{2 (TableFootnote) Currents up to the maximum power supply rating might be required for future product upgrades}

^{3 (TableFootnote) The in-rush current decays to the normal operating current in less than 200 milliseconds. Sequencing of power to multiple units is not required, as the peak current is less than seven times the operating current.}