How to Install the Standard Rack Mounting Hardware in a Rack

The rack mounting hardware consists of front and rear adapter brackets with cage nuts, screws, and shelf rails.

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Caution - The server weighs about 180 pounds (100 kg) when fully loaded with components. To reduce the risk of serious personal injury or equipment damage, use a mechanical lift to install the server into the rack. If a lift is not available, remove components as described in How to Remove Components to Reduce Weight. This reduces the weight of the server to 80 pounds (45 kg). Always load equipment into a rack from the bottom up so that it does not become top-heavy and tip over. Deploy your rack’s anti-tilt bar to prevent the rack from tipping during equipment installation.

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1. Verify that you have a 5RU space in your rack.
2. Select the two front adapter brackets that match your rack.

   See the following figure.

   The server ships with two sets of front adapter brackets: one (1) for racks with square holes and one (2) for racks with round holes. Select the adapter brackets that match your rack.

3. Attach the front adapter brackets to the rack.

   Make sure you orient the adapter brackets correctly, with the arrow pointing up.

   Select the screws that match your rack.

   • Use one M6 per side for a square-hole rack.

   • Use three M6 or three 10-32 per side for a threaded round-hole rack.

   The following figure shows the front adapter brackets being attached to a square-hole rack (1) and a round-hole rack (2).

   
   
4. If your rack has round holes, use two screws each (1) to fasten the two rear adapter brackets (2) to the rack.

   If your rack has square holes, skip this step.

   The top of the rear bracket should sit 1 RU (three holes) lower than the top of the front bracket.

   
   
5. If your rack has square holes:
   1. Insert the cage nuts (1) for the rear adapter brackets in the holes on the rack.

      The top of the rear bracket should sit 1 RU (three holes) lower than the top of the front bracket.

   2. If you are going to install shipping brackets, insert the cage nuts for the shipping brackets (2) in the holes in the rear of the rack.

      Note the orientation of the cage nuts for the shipping bracket.

      • They face outside the rack, in the opposite direction of the cage nuts for the adapter brackets.

      • They are located in the first and third holes above the cage nuts for the adapter brackets.

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      Note - If you are going to install shipping brackets so you can ship your system in a rack, and your system has a square-hole rack, you must install the rear cage nuts for the shipping bracket on the rack now, before installing the rear adapter bracket. You cannot add the cage nuts for the rear shipping bracket when the rear adapter brackets are in place. See Removing and Installing the Standard Rack Mounting Kit Shipping Brackets for instructions to install the shipping brackets.

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   3. Use two screws (3) to fasten each rear adapter bracket (4) to the rack.
   
   
6. Place the shelf rails into the rack.

   The following figure shows a square-hole rack.

   The shelf rails expand (1) to fit the rack, then slip into the slots on the adapter brackets (2), and drop into place (3).

   Be certain to place the shelf rails in the proper orientation, with the shelf facing inward and the gap towards the front of the rack.

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   Caution - Drop Hazard! Be certain that the rails are firmly seated in the brackets before proceeding.

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Next Steps

How to Insert the Server Into the Rack