HP Cluster Platform Site Preparation Guide

2 Unpacking and Assembling the Racks
This chapter describes the following procedures related to unpacking and assembling the racks
when they arrive at your site:
• Thermal stabilization (see Section 2.1).
• Removing packaging from the racks (see Section 2.2).
• Removing a rack from a pallet (see Section 2.3).
• How to inspect the racks (see Section 2.4).
• Leveling the racks (see Section 2.5).
• Bolting the racks together (see Section 2.6).
• Installing side panels (see Section 2.7).
2.1 Thermal Stabilization
Before you remove the racks from their packaging, it is important to allow the cluster components
enough time to adjust to the local temperature and humidity of their new operating environment.
Failure to thermally stabilize cluster components can potentially damage drive media or associated
electronics when you activate the cluster.
Environmental stabilization begins when the equipment is placed in the room in which it is to
be installed. If the rack arrives in a plastic bag, leave the bag in place until the rack has adjusted
to the local temperature and humidity. To ensure proper operation of storage devices, the rack
temperature must be within 18°–29°C (65°–85°F). Table 2-1 specifies the time required to thermally
stabilize racks based on the ambient shipping temperature.
If condensation is visible on the rack or on any component inside the rack, stabilize the rack in
the operating environment for 6 hours or until the condensation is no longer visible, whichever
is longer. If condensation is not visible, thermally stabilize the rack for the amount of time specified
in Table 2-1.
Table 2-1 Thermal Stabilization Specifications
Minimum Stabilization TimeAmbient Shipping Temperature Range
(°F)
Ambient Shipping Temperature Range
(°C)
3 hours140 to 15160 to 66
2 hours122 to 13950 to 59
1 hour104 to 12140 to 49
30 minutes86 to 10330 to 39
None65 to 8518 to 29
30 minutes50 to 6410 to 17
1 hour32 to 490 to 9
2 hours14 to 31–10 to –1
3 hours–4 to 13–20 to –11
4 hours–22 to –5–30 to –21
5 hours–40 to –21–40 to –31
2.2 Removing Rack Packaging
The racks arrive at the installation site on a loading pallet surrounded by layers of protective
plastic, corrugated cardboard packaging, and stretch film. The side of each box is printed with
a few basic diagrams that show how to remove the rack from its packaging and from the pallet;
2.1 Thermal Stabilization 37