Owners Manual

EqualLogic FS7500 Controller Hardware Maintenance Installing System Components

2–11

Connecting the Client Network Cables

For the recommended configuration, see Figure 2-6. For each controller, use four network cables

to connect all the ports on the bottom network interface card to the two switches. Distributing the

connections across both switches ensures high availability.

For the minimum configuration, see Figure 2-7. For each controller, use one network cable to

connect the first port in the bottom network interface card to the switch stack.

Managing the Controller Cables

There are three main methods of managing the controller cables in the EqualLogic FS7500. The

three methods differ in how the controller cables are routed and secured. The three methods are:

• Cabling the FS7500 installed in sliding rails. This is the standard installation as described in

the EqualLogic FS7500 Installation and Setup Guide, using the rails provided in the shipping

box. The cable connections are described in Steps for Connecting Network Cables on page 2-

• Adding a service loop to the FS7500 controller installed in the provided rails. A service loop is

an extra length of cable between the rear of the controller and the rack. The additional cable

allows you to slide the controller forward on the rails for servicing without having to

disconnect the cables and power cables.

• Cabling the FS7500 controller installed in static rails. This method requires a different set of

rails that must be ordered separately. Appendix A in the EqualLogic FS7500 Installation and

Setup Guide describes how to manage cables on controllers that are installed in static rails.

For more information about routing controller cables, see the Dell white paper Dell Best Practices

Guide for Rack Enclosures

. This white paper is available online in the Dell Storage Document

Center at http://www.dellstorage.com/resources/document-center.aspx.

Managing Cables in a Standard Installation

Cable management for the FS7500 controller consists of the following steps:

• Route the power cables through the strain relief straps

• Bundle the network and power cables together using the hook-and-loop fasteners supplied in

the shipping box

• Secure the network and power cable bundles to the rails

Figure 2-8 shows the back panel of the controller with all of the cable connections. See BPS and

Power Connections on page 2-5 for detailed information about the cable connections.