Installation guide

The PA-8500 Continuum Series 400 achieves continuous availability by partnering, or duplexing, two identical online
components, so that if one fails, its partner continues to operate. Other system components ensure availability by operating
in standby mode , with one component online, while the other "stands by" to take over operation should its partner fail.
The PA-8500 Continuum Series 400 system must be installed by a qualified service technician, but most of the
components are customer-maintainable
. Its data communications subsystem, based on a Peripheral Component
Interconnect (PCI) bus, utilizes state-of-the-art PCI cards. Peripherals include T800-series cartridge tape and D85X
CD-ROM drives, V105 terminals, and C419/C619 modems, which are described later in this chapter. See Figure 1-1 for
an illustration of the PA-8500 Continuum Series 400 system installed in a typical computer-room environment. The
sections that follow describe PA-8500 Continuum Series 400 components.
Figure 1-1. PA-8500 Continuum Series 400 System in a typical computer-room environment
1.3.1 Cabinet
Each PA-8500 Continuum Series 400 system consists of a single cabinet that houses all major system components. Two
sets of doors on the front and rear of the cabinet provide access to these components. The following sections describe the
cabinet components.
Cabinet: Front Components●
Rear Components ●
System Ventilation ●
Preparing to Install the System
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