Manual Chapter : Platform Maintenance

Applies To:

Show Versions Show Versions

BIG-IP AAM

  • 13.1.1, 13.1.0, 13.0.1, 13.0.0, 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, 11.6.0

BIG-IP APM

  • 15.1.0, 15.0.1, 15.0.0, 14.1.2, 14.1.0, 14.0.1, 14.0.0, 13.1.3, 13.1.1, 13.1.0, 13.0.1, 13.0.0, 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, 11.6.0

BIG-IP GTM

  • 11.6.4, 11.6.3, 11.6.2, 11.6.1, 11.6.0

BIG-IP Analytics

  • 15.1.0, 15.0.1, 15.0.0, 14.1.2, 14.1.0, 14.0.1, 14.0.0, 13.1.3, 13.1.1, 13.1.0, 13.0.1, 13.0.0, 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, 11.6.0

BIG-IP Link Controller

  • 15.1.0, 15.0.1, 15.0.0, 14.1.2, 14.1.0, 14.0.1, 14.0.0, 13.1.3, 13.1.1, 13.1.0, 13.0.1, 13.0.0, 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, 11.6.0

BIG-IP LTM

  • 15.1.0, 15.0.1, 15.0.0, 14.1.2, 14.1.0, 14.0.1, 14.0.0, 13.1.3, 13.1.1, 13.1.0, 13.0.1, 13.0.0, 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, 11.6.0

BIG-IP AFM

  • 15.1.0, 15.0.1, 15.0.0, 14.1.2, 14.1.0, 14.0.1, 14.0.0, 13.1.3, 13.1.1, 13.1.0, 13.0.1, 13.0.0, 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, 11.6.0

BIG-IP PEM

  • 15.1.0, 15.0.1, 15.0.0, 14.1.2, 14.1.0, 14.0.1, 14.0.0, 13.1.3, 13.1.1, 13.1.0, 13.0.1, 13.0.0, 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, 11.6.0

BIG-IP DNS

  • 15.1.0, 15.0.1, 15.0.0, 14.1.2, 14.1.0, 14.0.1, 14.0.0, 13.1.3, 13.1.1, 13.1.0, 13.0.1, 13.0.0, 12.1.4, 12.1.3, 12.1.2, 12.1.1, 12.1.0

BIG-IP ASM

  • 15.1.0, 15.0.1, 15.0.0, 14.1.2, 14.1.0, 14.0.1, 14.0.0, 13.1.3, 13.1.1, 13.1.0, 13.0.1, 13.0.0, 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, 11.6.0
Manual Chapter

Platform Maintenance

About maintaining the platform

The 12000 Series platform contains several components that you can replace individually without exchanging the entire system. This platform contains these replaceable components:

  • AC power supply
  • DC power supply
  • Fan tray
  • Hard drive

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 without powering down the system if there are two installed and one remains installed and operational during the replacement process.

850W AC power supply

The 850W AC power supply

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.
CAUTION:
Do not mix power supply models. If two power supplies are installed in the same system, use only power supplies of the same model.
Important: You should use only one power supply type (AC or DC) in a platform. AC and DC interoperability is not supported.
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.
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 replace an AC power supply without powering down the system, provided that there is at least one power supply operating during the replacement process.
  1. Disconnect the AC power cord from the power supply.
  2. Loosen the power supply screw by turning it counterclockwise with an appropriate screwdriver, if necessary.
    Note: The screw is captive and cannot be removed from the assembly.
  3. Remove the power supply from the system by pulling straight toward you.
  4. Slide the power supply into the empty slot.
    Ensure that the power supply is fully seated in the chassis.
  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.
    If the system does not boot after you apply power to the power supply, press the Check button on the LCD panel to begin booting the system.

About DC power supplies

BIG-IP® platforms can support up to two DC power supplies. Some platforms come with only one power supply by default. You can hot swap power supplies without powering down the system if there are two installed and one remains installed and operational during the replacement process. 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 850W DC power supply

DC terminal block components

DC terminal block components

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.
CAUTION:
Do not mix power supply models. If two power supplies are installed in the same system, use only power supplies of the same model.
Important: You should use only one power supply type (AC or DC) in a platform. AC and DC interoperability is not supported.
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: Copper cables used for grounding must meet appropriate safety standards.
Note: Bare conductors should be coated with an appropriate antioxidant before being crimped. Make sure to clean all unplated connectors, braided strap, and bus bars to a bright finish prior to coating them with the antioxidant.
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.

Wiring the DC power supply terminal block

You will need these tools to assemble and wire the DC terminal block:
  • Wire stripping tool
  • Small Phillips screwdriver
  • Small flat-head screwdriver
The 850W DC power supply includes a DC terminal block. You connect the wires to the terminal block and then insert the terminal block into the DC power supply.
  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 (9.56 mm) 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. Thread the wires through the bottom of the terminal block, with the positive DC wire (typically red) on the left, the chassis ground wire in the middle, and the negative DC wire (typically black) on the right.
    Note the orientation of the keying notch on the terminal block. When the keying notch is up, the positive terminal is on the left.
    Wired terminal block and location of the keying notch
  4. Insert each exposed wire into the appropriate connector on the terminal block.
    If necessary, use a small flat-head screwdriver to loosen the screws above the openings in the terminal block to open the terminal connectors.
  5. Attach the wired half of the terminal block to the other half of the terminal block, and then connect the top of the terminal block until the two halves click into place.
  6. Tighten the wire clamp screws on the bottom of the terminal block using a small flat-head screwdriver.
  7. Insert the two gold screws that are provided with the DC power supply kit into the top and bottom of the terminal block, and then use a Phillips screwdriver to secure the two halves.
    Fully-assembled and wired terminal block

Installing a DC power supply

After you have assembled and wired the terminal block, you can install the DC power supply into the platform and connect the platform to the DC power source. 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.
Important: When you connect the DC power source, F5 recommends that you follow the safety requirements defined for the facilities where the DC-powered platforms will be installed.
  1. Make sure that the power from the DC power source is off.
  2. Ensure that the terminal block is not connected to the power supply before adding it to the unit.
  3. Remove the existing AC or DC power supply, if one is installed.
    1. Disconnect the AC power cord or DC terminal block from the power supply.
    2. Loosen the power supply screw by turning it counterclockwise with an appropriate screwdriver, if necessary.
      Note: The screw that holds the ejector handle in place is captive and cannot be removed from the assembly.
      Loosening power supply screws
    3. Grasp the ejector handle and rotate it downward to eject the power supply from the system.
      Ejecting the power supply
    4. Remove the power supply from the system by pulling straight toward you.
    5. Ensure that the latch on the new power supply is in the down position, and then slide the power supply into the power supply slot until the latch engages.
    6. Rotate the latch upward to fully seat the power supply.
    7. Tighten the screw into place.
      Use 4 to 5 inch-pounds (0.45 to 0.56 Newton-meters) of torque on the screw. The power supply is connected to the system when you tighten the screw completely.
  4. Loosen the power supply screw on the DC power supply by using an appropriate screwdriver, if necessary.
  5. Slide the DC power supply into the power supply slot.
  6. Connect the terminal block that you assembled earlier to the DC power source and be sure to connect the ground wire to a common bonding network (CBN).
  7. 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 panel to begin booting the system.

About the fan tray

The BIG-IP® 12000 Series platform has a removable fan tray that is designed to maintain airflow throughout the chassis. You can change or replace the fan tray as part of the routine maintenance of the unit, or in the event of a fan failure. The fans in the fan tray run constantly while the unit is powered on. Over time, the fans can wear out, requiring you to replace the fan tray.

An example of a fan tray

The fan tray

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.

Replacing the fan tray

You do not need special tools to replace the fan tray. You do not need to power down the unit when replacing the fan tray; however, F5 Networks highly recommends that you do not leave the unit operating without a fan tray for longer than 30 seconds.
CAUTION:
Operating the unit without a fan tray for more than 30 seconds might cause permanent damage.
  1. Stand at the back of the platform and locate the ejector handle on the fan tray.
  2. Loosen the fan tray screws by turning them counterclockwise with a Phillips screwdriver, if necessary.
    Note: The screws that hold the ejector handle in place are captive and cannot be removed from the assembly.
    Loosening the fan tray screw
  3. Grasp the ejector handle and rotate it downward to eject the fan tray from the system.
    Grasping the ejector handle
  4. Remove the fan tray from the system by pulling straight toward you.
    Removing a fan tray
  5. Ensure that the handle on the new fan tray is in the down position and slide the fan tray into the fan tray slot until the latch engages.
  6. Rotate the handle upward to fully seat the fan tray.
  7. Tighten the screws into place.
    The fan tray is connected to the system when you tighten the screws completely. Once seated, the fan tray automatically powers up and begins circulating air through the chassis.