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- Sun Proprietary/Confidential: Internal Use Only -
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                        FIELD INFORMATION NOTICE
                  (For Authorized Distribution by SunService)

FIN #: I0506-1

Create Date: Jun/28/99

Keywords: 

Confusion in the field over the requirement of a 2" gap between 72" Expansion Cabinets containing A5x00 Storage Arrays.

Top FIN/FCO Report: No

Products Reference: 72" Exp. Cabinet A5X00/E4X00 requirements

Product Category: Storage / Server / Other / System box

Product Affected: 

Mkt_ID   Platform   Model   Description       Serial Number
------   --------   -----   -----------       -------------

Systems Affected
----------------

  -       E4000        -       Ultra Enterprise 4000     -
  -       E4500        -       Ultra Enterprise 4500     -
 
X-Options Affected
------------------    

Sun StorEdge A5000 14-Drive FC-AL Arrays
  
SG-XARY513A-764G   A5000    -    A5000, 764GB 84 Drive 72" Exp Rack  -
SG-XARY513A-254G   A5000    -    A5000, 254GB 28 Drive 72" Exp Rack  -
  
Sun StorEdge A5100 14-Drive FC-AL Arrays
  
SG-XARY533A-509G   A5100    -    A5100, 509GB  84 Drive 72" Exp Rack  -
SG-XARY533A-1019G  A5100    -    A5100, 1019GB 56 Drive 72" Exp Rack  -
SG-XARY533A-1528G  A5100    -    A5100, 1528GB 28 Drive 72" Exp Rack  -

Sun StorEdge A5200 22-Drive FC-AL Arrays
  
SG-XARY523A-1200G  A5200    -    A5200, 1200GB 72" Exp Rack  -
SG-XARY523A-800G   A5200    -    A5200,  800GB 72" Exp Rack  -
SG-XARY523A-400G   A5200    -    A5200,  400GB 72" Exp Rack  -

Parts Affected: 

Part Number   Description   Model
-----------   -----------   -----
    -              -          -

References: 

MANUAL: 805-3067-12 "Sun StorEdge Expansion Cabinet Installation and Service 
                    Manual"

Issue Description: 

There is confusion in the field about a 2" clearance requirement on 
the left side only (viewing from the front of the cabinet) of the 72"
Storage Expansion Cabinet.  This clearance is not required for all
cabinet configurations, only those containing A5x00 Storage Arrays
and/or E4x00 Enterprise Servers.  These products employ side-to-side
airflow for cooling.

The 2" spacing requirement is indirectly needed for cooling.  The
actual need for the gap is internal cabinet air pressure relief.  The
pressure built up in the narrow gap from multiple A5x00 and/or E4x00
units exhausting into it without relief causes improper air circulation
within the cabinet.  This could lead to overtemp conditions and/or
component failure.  The gap can be eliminated only IF the cabinet
contains only two or less A5x00 units.  This configuration has been
tested.  For ALL other configurations, the gap is mandatory. Many hours
were spent investigating alternatives to this, such as ducting, fan
layout, etc., and no testing produced results as effective as the
current design.

Implementation: 

INFORMATIONAL ONLY 
 
         ---
        |   |   MANDATORY (Fully Pro-Active)
         ---    
         
  
         ---
        |   |   CONTROLLED PRO-ACTIVE (per Sun Geo Plan) 
         --- 
         
                                
         ---
        | X |   REACTIVE (As Required)
         ---

Corrective Action: 

The following recommendation is provided as a guide line for authorized
Enterprise Services Field Representatives that must install the above
mentioned configuration(s) in 72" Storage Expansion Cabinets:

Sun StorEdge A5000 disk arrays, Sun Enterprise 4x00 servers, and some
other devices require a clearance of at least two inches for airflow.
Unless otherwise stated in the documentation that shipped with your 
device, no clearance is required.

The 2" gap has always been a requirement since the A5K was released in
the 72" Delorean rack.  It is to be allowed for if the cabinet has side
vents.  Not all configurations of the Delorean rack have side vents.  If
they are there, allow space.  This information was published in the
service manual:

   "Sun StorEdge Expansion Cabinet Installation and Service Manual"
          p/n 805-3067-12 September 1998, Revision A
    
        Appendix section A.3 Clearance and Service Access (pg A-2)
        Footnote #2

Comments: 

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Implementation Footnote: 

i)   In case of MANDATORY FINs, Enterprise Services will attempt to    
     contact all affected customers to recommend implementation of 
     the FIN. 
   
ii)  For CONTROLLED PROACTIVE FINs, Enterprise Services mission critical    
     support teams will recommend implementation of the FIN  (to their  
     respective accounts), at the convenience of the customer. 

iii) For REACTIVE FINs, Enterprise Services will implement the FIN as the   
     need arises.
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