HP Performance Optimized Datacenter (POD) Networking Guide

Overview 6
• Several of these previously listed devices have the potential of supporting up to 864 ports, which can
result in a large volume of cables, and must be placed in a rack that has full rear-door access to facilitate
the maintenance or the replacement of hardware.
• The recessing of switches to be flush with the back of the rack will require the prevention of air flow
recirculation to eliminate the mixing of hot aisle and IT section air.
Network hardware requiring customization in HP
POD infrastructure
CAUTION: The IT section and hot aisle air separation begins on the front side of the rack at the
RETMA rails. Any hardware with air inlets on the side will intake hot aisle air and have the
potential to overheat.
Devices that work best inside the HP POD utilize a front-to-back airflow model. Any devices designed with
side-to-side airflow need special consideration. The network solution architect of the account team should
understand hardware air-flow requirements prior to requesting a formal legal quote from the respective order
management team.
The following network hardware does require a customized air-flow solution:
• HP MSR30-xx series router
• Cisco 3700 series
Cisco 3750-E
The following figure shows the airflow for the 3750-E.
Cisco 3750-X