Manual Chapter : Platform Maintenance

Applies To:

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BIG-IP AAM

  • 12.1.4, 12.1.3, 12.1.2, 12.1.1, 12.1.0, 11.6.4, 11.6.3, 11.6.2, 11.6.1, 11.5.9, 11.5.8, 11.5.7, 11.5.6, 11.5.5, 11.5.4, 11.5.3, 11.5.2, 11.5.1

BIG-IP APM

  • 15.0.0, 12.1.4, 12.1.3, 12.1.2, 12.1.1, 12.1.0, 11.6.4, 11.6.3, 11.6.2, 11.6.1, 11.5.9, 11.5.8, 11.5.7, 11.5.6, 11.5.5, 11.5.4, 11.5.3, 11.5.2, 11.5.1

BIG-IP GTM

  • 11.6.4, 11.6.3, 11.6.2, 11.6.1, 11.5.9, 11.5.8, 11.5.7, 11.5.6, 11.5.5, 11.5.4, 11.5.3, 11.5.2, 11.5.1

BIG-IP Link Controller

  • 15.0.0, 12.1.4, 12.1.3, 12.1.2, 12.1.1, 12.1.0, 11.6.4, 11.6.3, 11.6.2, 11.6.1, 11.5.9, 11.5.8, 11.5.7, 11.5.6, 11.5.5, 11.5.4, 11.5.3, 11.5.2, 11.5.1

BIG-IP Analytics

  • 15.0.0

BIG-IP LTM

  • 15.0.0, 12.1.4, 12.1.3, 12.1.2, 12.1.1, 12.1.0, 11.6.4, 11.6.3, 11.6.2, 11.6.1, 11.5.9, 11.5.8, 11.5.7, 11.5.6, 11.5.5, 11.5.4, 11.5.3, 11.5.2, 11.5.1

BIG-IP PEM

  • 15.0.0

BIG-IP AFM

  • 15.0.0

BIG-IP DNS

  • 15.0.0, 12.1.4, 12.1.3, 12.1.2, 12.1.1, 12.1.0

BIG-IP ASM

  • 15.0.0, 12.1.4, 12.1.3, 12.1.2, 12.1.1, 12.1.0, 11.6.4, 11.6.3, 11.6.2, 11.6.1, 11.5.9, 11.5.8, 11.5.7, 11.5.6, 11.5.5, 11.5.4, 11.5.3, 11.5.2, 11.5.1
Manual Chapter

About platform maintenance

The 3600 platform contains several components that can be replaced individually without exchanging the entire system. This platform contains the following replaceable components:

  • AC power supply
  • DC power supply

About AC power supplies

BIG-IP platforms can support up to two AC power supplies. Some platforms come with only one power supply by default. You can hot swap power supplies if there are two installed in your system.


Partially-removed power supply
A power supply partially removed from the platform

The platform supports power redundancy, which ensures that the system is unaffected if a single power supply fails in a system containing more than one power supply.

CAUTION:
Running without power supplies installed in all available bays in the platform can affect cooling and electromagnetic interference (EMI). If you need to run the unit with fewer power supplies, you must install a blank supply bracket into any empty power supply bays. The blank supply bracket is required to maintain proper airflow in the system. If you do not have a blank supply bracket, leave all supplies installed and unplug any unused power supplies.
CAUTION:
As a safety precaution, the socket outlet must be installed near the equipment and be easily accessible.
Important: This product is sensitive to electrostatic discharge (ESD). F5 Networks recommends that you use proper ESD grounding procedures and equipment when you install or maintain the unit.
Important: F5 Networks strongly recommends that you use only one power supply type (AC or DC) in a platform.
Note: Depending on the model and revision of the power supply, you might need either a Phillips or a slotted screwdriver to replace the power supply.

Installing an AC power supply

In the event of a power supply failure, you can install a replacement AC power supply without powering down the system, provided that there is at least one power supply operating during the replacement process.
Important: If the power supply is installed when the power switch is on, the power supply might not function (for safety reasons) until you shut off the power switch and power it on again.
  1. Make sure that the power switch on the new power supply is powered off.
  2. Ensure that the AC power cord is not connected to the new power supply before adding it to the unit.
  3. Remove the cover plate from the power supply bay, if one is installed.
  4. Slide the new power supply into the power supply bay.
  5. Tighten the screw into place. The power supply is connected to the system when you tighten the screw completely.
  6. Attach the power cord to the new power supply.
  7. Attach the power cord to the power source.
  8. Turn the power switch on. If the AC power supply does not function after installation:
    • Make sure that the power switch on the power supply is off. If you install the power supply while the power switch is on, you will need to shut off the power switch and power it on again before the power supply will function properly.
    • Check the LCD panel to see if the system is in power standby mode. If the system is in power standby mode, press the Check button on the LCD to begin booting the system.

About DC power supplies

The BIG-IP platforms support DC power supplies. You can hot swap power supplies if there are two installed in your system. The DC power supply does not have an on/off switch. You can control the power from the rack switch or the DC power source.

The DC power supply includes a DC terminal block that connects the power supply to the DC power source.

The platform supports power redundancy, which ensures that the system is unaffected if a single power supply fails in a system containing more than one power supply.


DC power supply and terminal block
The 300W DC power supply and terminal block
CAUTION:
Before installing a DC power supply, be sure that the DC power source for the rack is powered off.
CAUTION:
Running without power supplies installed in all available bays in the platform can affect cooling and electromagnetic interference (EMI). If you need to run the unit with fewer power supplies, you must install a blank supply bracket into any empty power supply bays. The blank supply bracket is required to maintain proper airflow in the system. If you do not have a blank supply bracket, leave all supplies installed and unplug any unused power supplies.
CAUTION:
Before you begin to work with one of these platforms, refer to the DC-powered equipment environmental warnings for this platform and review any safety requirements for the facilities where the DC-powered platforms will be installed.
Important: This product is sensitive to electrostatic discharge (ESD). F5 Networks recommends that you use proper ESD grounding procedures and equipment when you install or maintain the unit.
Important: The platform must be installed in a RESTRICTED ACCESS LOCATION, such as a central office or customer premises environment.
Note: All copper grounding cable used for grounding must meet all appropriate UL standards.
Note: You should coat bare conductors with an appropriate antioxidant compound before you make crimp connections. You should bring all unplated connectors, braided strap, and bus bars to a bright finish and then coat them with an antioxidant before you connect them.
Note: The platform must be grounded to a common bonding network (CBN).
Note: The battery return terminals on the platform are in an isolated DC return (DC-I) configuration.

Installing a DC power supply

You will need the following tools to install the DC power supply:
  • Wire stripping tool
  • Small slotted screwdriver
  • Two 14-16 AWG copper wires long enough to reach from the platform to the DC power source
In the event of a power supply failure, you can replace a DC power supply in the system.
  1. Review the DC power supply label and determine the correct wire size for your installation.
  2. Use the wire stripping tool to remove 3/8 inch (0.95 cm) of insulation.
    Important: Be sure to remove the appropriate amount of insulation from each wire. If you remove too much insulation, exposed wire protruding from the terminal block can create an electrical hazard. If you do not remove enough insulation, the wire might not make proper contact with the terminal.
  3. Using a small slotted screwdriver, press the spring-loaded mechanism above the openings in the terminal block to open the terminal connectors and then insert each exposed wire into the appropriate opening.
    1. Connect the chassis ground wire to the middle terminal in the terminal block. This step might be optional with some DC power sources.
    2. Connect the negative DC power wire to the 3 terminal on the terminal block.
    3. Connect the positive DC wire to the 1 terminal on the terminal block.

    Wired DC terminal block
  4. Make sure that the power from the DC power source is off.
  5. Ensure that the terminal block is not connected to the power supply before adding it to the unit.
  6. Remove the AC power supply, if it is installed.
  7. Slide the DC power supply into the power supply slot.
    Wired DC terminal block
  8. Tighten the screw completely, using 4 to 5 inch-pounds (0.45 to 0.56 Newton-meters) of torque on the screw.
    Wired DC terminal block
  9. Connect the terminal block into the DC power supply.
    Wired DC terminal block
  10. Power on the DC power source. If the system does not boot after you power on the DC power source, press the Check button on the LCD to begin booting the system.