Intergraph RAX HD Animation Recorder User's Guide

RAX HD Animation Recorder

User’s Guide

March 2000
D1AA00370

Copyright

 2000 Intergraph Computer Systems. All rights reserved. This document contains information protected by
copyright, trade secret, and trademark law. This document may not, in whole or in part, be reproduced in any form or
by any means, or be used to make any derivative work, without written consent from Intergraph Computer Systems.

Use, duplication, or disclosure by the United States Government is subject to restrictions as set forth in subdivision
(c)(1)(ii) of the rights in technical data and computer software clause at DFARS 252.227-7013. Unpublished rights are
reserved under the copyright laws of the United States.

The LCDFont Family used in Frame Wrangler i s copyright  2000 Intergraph Computer Systems. All rights reserved.
Intergraph Computer Systems, Huntsville AL 35894-0001

Notice

Information in this document is subject to change without notice and should not be considered a commitment by
Intergraph Computer Systems. Intergraph Computer Systems shall not be liable for technical or editorial errors in, or
omissions from, this document. Intergraph Computer Systems shall not be liable for incidental or consequential
damages resulting from the furnishing or use of this document.

All warranties given by Intergraph Computer Systems about equipment or software are set forth in your purchase
contract. Nothing stated in, or implied by, this document or its contents shall be considered or deemed a modification
or amendment of such warranties.

Trademarks

Intergraph and the Intergraph logo are registered trademarks of Intergraph Corporation. RAX Studio-Ready
Components and Frame Wrangler are trademarks of Intergraph Computer Systems. Microsoft, Windows, and
Windows NT are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation. Other brands and product names are trademarks of
their respective owners and are hereby acknowledged.

FCC/DOC Compliance

This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class A digital device, pursuant to part 15 of
the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference when the
equipment is operated in a commercial environment. This equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency
energy. If the equipment is not i nstalled and used in accordance with the instruction manual, it may cause harmful
interference to radio communications. Operation of this equipment in a residential area is likely to cause harmful
interference, in which case the user will be required to correct the interference at his own expense.

This Class A digital apparatus meets all requirements of the Canadian Interference-Causing Equipment Regulations.
Cet appareil numérique de la classe A respecte toutes les exigencies du Règlement sur le materiél brouilleur du Canada.

Safety Notices

See the base unit System Guide and the associated hardware component documentation for detailed safety information.

The AC power cord for this unit is the service disconnect. Ensure the AC power outlet to which the system’s power
cord connects is close to the system and is easily accessible. For protection against el ectrical shock and energy
hazards, unplug the system’s power cord from its AC power outlet before opening or servicing the system.

To reduce the risk of electrical sh ock and energy hazards, do not attempt to open th e equipment unless instructed, and
do not use a tool for purposes other than instructed.

Notes

Changes or modifications made to the equipment that are not approved by the party responsible for compliance could
void the user's authority to operate the equipment.

This equipment is designed and manufactured to comply with approved safety standards for information processing and
business equipment.

Read all operating instructions before using this equipment. Keep these instructions for future reference. Follow all
warnings on the equipment or in the operating instructions.

Contents

Preface...........................................................................................................................................vii

About This Document.....................................................................................................................vii

Document Conventions...................................................................................................................vii

More Information .......................................................................................................................... viii

Customer Support............................................................................................................... ........... viii

1 Your RAX HD Animation Recorder.......................................................................................... 1

What is the RAX HD Animation Recorder?..................................................................................... 1

Workflow and Productivity Advantages........................................................................................... 2

System Hardware.............................................................................................................................. 2

Disk Subsystem................................................................................................................................. 5

System Software............................................................................................................................... 6

Animation Frame Formats........................................................................................................ ........ 7

Video File Formats........................................................................................................................... 8

HD Video Formats............................................................................................................................8

2 Setting Up the Hardware.......................................................................................................... 11

Before You Begin........................................................................................................................... 11

Setting Up the Base Unit Hardware................................................................................................ 12

Mounting the Fibre Channel RAID Storage Arrays........................................................................ 12

Mounting the Fibre Channel Hubs.................................................................................................. 16

Connecting a Video Device to the System...................................................................................... 17

Connecting the Base Unit to the Storage Arrays.............................................................................19

Connecting Audio Devices............................................................................................................. 21

Installing Storage Array Disk Drives.............................................................................................. 21

Connecting to AC Power................................................................................................................ 24

Controlling System Power.............................................................................................................. 26

Graphics/Scan Engine Internal Connection.................................................................................... 27

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3 Setting Up the Software ............................................................................................................ 29

Setting Up Base Unit System Software...........................................................................................29

Setting Up RAX HD Animation Recorder Software...................................................................... 29

Finding Frame Wrangler and Video File Explorer......................................................................... 30

Reinstalling and Reconfiguring System Software........................................................................... 30

4 Getting to Know Frame Wrangler........................................................................................... 31

Starting and Stopping Frame Wrangler.......................................................................................... 31

Video Clips, Video Sequences, and Playlists ................................................................................. 32

Interface.......................................................................................................................................... 32

Main Panel ....................................................................................................................... 33

Storyboard Panel.............................................................................................................. 34

VTR Control Panel........................................................................................................... 34

Video Window................................................................................................................. 35

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Menus............................................................................................................................................. 36

File Menu......................................................................................................................... 36

Play Menu ........................................................................................................................ 36

View Menu...................................................................................................................... .37

Configure Menu ............................................................................................................... 37

Help Menu........................................................................................................................ 37

Keyboard Controls.......................................................................................................................... 38

Main Panel Keyboard Controls........................................................................................ 38

VTR Control Panel Keyboard Controls............................................................................39

Build Video Wizard........................................................................................................................ 39

Help................................................................................................................................................ 41

5 Using Frame Wrangler..............................................................................................................43

Overview........................................................................................................................................ 43

Optimizing Software Performance..................................................................................................44

Building a Video Clip..................................................................................................................... 44

Building a Video Clip Immediately.................................................................................. 46

Building a Video Clip During Rendering......................................................................... 46

Collecting Video Clips ................................................................................................................... 47

Reviewing Video Clips................................................................................................................... 47

Processing Video Clips................................................................................................................... 49

Rearranging the Video Sequence ..................................................................................... 49

Setting Start and End Points for Editing........................................................................... 49

Replacing Bad Frames......................................................................................................49

Adjusting Video Levels.................................................................................................... 49

Associating Audio with Video..........................................................................................50

Creating a Title Clip......................................................................................................... 50

Producing Video Output ................................................................................................................. 50

6 Rebuilding System Software..................................................................................................... 53

Finding System Software................................................................................................................ 53

Installing Base Unit System Software............................................................................................. 53

Installing the Wildcat 4110 VIO Driver......................................................................................... 54

Installing the HD Scan Engine Driver ............................................................................................55

Installing the QLogic Host Bus Adapter Driver ............................................................................. 55

Installing the Antex StudioCard Driver..........................................................................................56

Installing the RAID Control Software............................................................................................56

Configuring the RAID Disk Arrays................................................................................................57

Configuring the Storage Array Stripe Set....................................................................................... 58

Installing Frame Wrangler Software............................................................................................... 60

Preface

The User’s Guide describes your RAX HD (High-Definition) Animation Recorder, provides

information on setting up the system’s hardware and software components, and describes the
system’s software components and how to use them.

About This Document

This User’s Guide is organized as follows:
♦ Chapter 1, “Your RAX HD Animation Recorder,” describes the purpose of the system,

describes the system’s hardware and software components, and discusse s the system’s
supported input and output formats.

♦ Chapter 2, “Setting Up the Hardware,” describes how to set up and apply power to the

hardware components of the system.

♦ Chapter 3, “Setting Up the Software,” describes how to set up the software components of the

system.

♦ Chapter 4, “Getting to Know Frame Wrangler,” describes the Frame Wrangler software and its

user interface, and describes how to configure the software for use.

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♦ Chapter 5, “Using Frame Wrangler,” provides basic information on using the Frame Wrangler

software with the system to accomplish basic workflow tasks.

♦ Chapter 6, “Rebuilding System Software,” describes how to reinstall and reconfigure the HD

Animation Recorder system software, if needed.

Document Conventions

Bold

Italic Variable values that you supply, or cross-references.

Monospace

SMALL CAPS Key names on the keyboard, such as D, AL T or F3; names of files and directories.

CTRL+D Press a key while simultaneously pressing another key; for example, press CTRL and

Commands, words, or characters that you key in literally.

Output displayed on the screen.

You can type filenames and directory names in the dialog boxes or the command line
in lowercase unless directed otherwise.

D simultaneously.

viii

More Information

See the Late-Breaking News (if provided) for important hardware, software, and documentation
details not covered in this document.

For detailed instructions on setting up and configuring the base unit at the heart of your RAX HD
Animation Recorder, see the System Guide delivered with the system.

For detailed information about the various hardware components of your RAX HD Animation
Recorder, see the individual user documents for the various hardware components.

For more detailed information on your system’s operating system, see the printed and online
Microsoft documentation delivered with the system.

Customer Support

Intergraph Computer Systems provides a one-year warranty on RAX HD Animation Recorder
hardware and software, and a 30-day warranty on the operating system. Contact your authorized
Intergraph Computer Systems reseller for information on warranty service.

Intergraph Computer Systems provides next-day response support by telephone between the hours
of 8:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. United St ates Central Time, Monday through Friday (except holidays).
Additional levels of support are available.

To get customer support by telephone:

♦ In the United States, call 1-800-240-4800.
♦ Outside the United States, call 1-256-730-5498.
♦ Before you call, have ready the system's serial number (on a sticker affixed to the system),

your name and telephone number, and a detailed description of the problem.

To get information on additional levels of support:

Call the appropriate customer support number and ask for information on support services for the
RAX HD Animation Recorder.

To visit Intergraph Computer Systems on the World Wide Web:
Use your World Wide Web browser to go to http://www.intergraph.com/ics.

1 Your RAX HD Animation Recorder

This chapter introduces you to the RAX HD Animation Recorder, its hardware and software
components, its workflow and productivity advantages, and its supported input and output formats.

What is the RAX HD Animation Recorder?

The RAX HD Animation Recorder is one of Intergraph Computer Systems’ RAX Studio-Ready
Components. This system is a combination of rack-mount hardware and system software that
helps you easily produce, review, and output high-definition (HD) content. With the RAX HD
Animation Recorder, you can:

♦ Review and record to tape, in real time, animation sequences rendered at various resolutions.
♦ Work in various video resolutions and create output at various HD resolutions and frame rates.
♦ Convert, in real time, existing rendered video content (such as existing SD animations) to

other resolutions and frame rates (for example, new HD video) for efficient reuse of content.

The RAX HD Animation Recorder enables you to convert and view, in real time, rendered
animation sequences in a variety of HD formats. This makes content easily available for
transmission by any media outlet. Existing SD broadcast content can be easily scaled to HD aspect
ratios and resolutions.

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The RAX HD Animation Recorder is a special-purpose system that offers more versatile
capabilities than digital disk recorders (DDRs) or low-end PC- and workstation-based software
solutions. For example, the RAX HD Animation Recorder can:

♦ Automatically search the network for rendered image files (animation frames).
♦ Assemble the frames into video clips and build a longer video sequence.
♦ Play back the video sequence with real-time conversion to various resolutions.
♦ Save the video sequence to a disk-based HD video file or record the sequence to HD

videotape.

You can use a playlist to assemble video clips for playback in any order for storyboard editing or
viewing of dailies. Built-in device control enables insert editing and frame-accurate recording to
any segment of tape.

A rack-mount disk storage array is an integral part of the RAX HD Animation Recorder. This
Fibre Channel-base d array provides RAID storage. The array delivers the high speed, throughput,
and large-scale uncompressed video storage required for real-time HD conversion and display.

2

Workflow and Productivity Advantages

The RAX HD Animation Recorder eases the workload in labor-intensive production environments.
System software automates several steps in the process of rendering animation sequences for
dailies and editing.

For example, many animators render their frames overnight. The next day, technicians gather the
rendered animation frames from various locations on the network, assemble them manually, and
create a video file for playback. This process can be tedious and time-consuming, and does not
easily allow for changes to frames or animation sequences.

The RAX HD Animation Recorder automates this frame harvesting process. The system searches
the network for rendered frames, assembles the frames in sequence, and creates a video file ready

for playback. With the system’s real-time high-definition (HD) video playback capability, users
can check the video file immediately for blown or missing frames without recording to tape.
Creative directors, clients, or film producers can review the same file in their dailies. Multiple
sequences can be assembled into a playlist using Frame Wrangler’s storyboard editing functions.

The system’s built-in videotape recorder (VTR) control technology enables insert editing and
frame-accurate recording to tape. This gives animators or creative directors the ability to do full­quality editing. The system also uses frame-accurate gamma correction, which is crucial when
using both computer and video monitors. Post-rendering global color adjustments, such as
adjusting contrast or brightness, shifting hues, or darkening a particular scene, are easily made
clip-by-clip in real time.

System Hardware

A rack-mount base unit is the heart of the RAX HD Animation Recorder. With its revolutionary
Streaming Multiport Architecture, this base unit provides superior processing and graphics power.
The base unit houses the system disk drive, which contains the operating system, system software,
and default storage for audio data
used by the system. The base unit
also houses graphics, audio, disk,
and other controllers. The base
unit mounts in a standard 19-inch
equipment rack.

An Intense3D Wildcat 4110 graphics controller
card with video input/output (VIO) is installed in

the base unit’s Accelerated Graphics Port (AGP)
expansion slot. This card provides graphics
control for the system and HD graphics
resolution for producing HD video.

Three QLogic Fibre Channel host bus adapters
(HBAs) are installed in the base unit’s PCI
expansion slots. These cards provide fiber optic
connections from the system to the high-speed,
high-capacity storage array. Fiber optic
connections allow the system to be placed at a
distance from the storage array components.

3

An HD Scan Engine card is installed in one of the
base unit’s Peripheral Component Interconnect
(PCI) expansion slots. This card and its
associated “daughter card” convert graphics data
to video output in HD formats. The card has an
HD serial digital output, and a composite video
sync input and loop-through.

Three Fibre Channel RAID storage
arrays provide the system with
high-speed, high-ca pacity disk
storage. The Fibre Channel disk
drives in these storage arrays
provide a massive storage bank for
uncompressed video data
manipulated by the system. These
storage arrays mount in a standard
19-inch equipment rack.

4

Three Fibre Channel hubs interconnect the
base unit and the three Fibre Channel RAID
storage arrays. The hubs accept fiber optic

connections from the system’s HBAs and
copper connections from the storage arrays.
For uncompromised performance, one hub is
dedicated to each of the three storage arrays.
The hubs can be placed on shelves in an
equipment rack or anywhere within cable
reach of the storage arrays.

Gigabit interconnect (GBIC) ports plug into a
Fibre Channel hub’s rear panel. GBIC ports
provide connection points for fiber optic cables
from the system’s HBAs and copper cables from
the Fibre Channel RAID storage arrays. Any
GBIC port can be installed in any slot in the hub.
GBIC ports are keyed for proper insertion into the
slots.

Fiber optic GBIC ports connect fiber optic cables to
the Fibre Channel hubs. Cables are keyed for proper
insertion into the GBIC ports.

Copper GBICs connect copper cables to the Fibre
Channel hubs. Cables are keyed for proper insertion
into the GBIC ports.

An Antex StudioCard in the base unit provides
professional audio capabilities. The StudioCard
includes 16-bit analog-to-digital (A/D) and digital-to­analog (D/A) converters, a 32-bit 40 MHz digital signal
processor (DSP), and audio-to-video playback lock.

The system includes a 24-inch HD computer
monitor that supports resolutions up to 1920 x

1200. You can use the computer monitor to
display video manipulated by the system, and a
separate video monitor to display final video
output from the system.

5

For more information on these hardware components, see Chapter 2, “Setting Up the Hardware”
and the separate component documentation delivered with the system.

Disk Subsystem

A SCSI system disk drive is installed in the system’s base unit and eight (or twelve) identical Fibre
Channel disk drives are installed in each Fibre Channel storage array. The system disk drive is
formatted with two partitions, which are used for storing operating system software, audio files,
and project files. The Fibre Channel disk drives are formatted as a stripe set and configured as a
single logical disk drive, and are used to provide uncompressed video file storage.

Disk striping is a hardware capability that speeds up data input and output (I/O) from disk storage.
The computer divides the data into pieces and spreads the pieces across the disks in the striped set.
Because the computer transfers data to multiple drives in smaller chunks than would be transferred
to a single drive, the data transfer rate is accelerated. The QLogic host bus adapter handles data
I/O for video file storage.

6

The following table summarizes the disk subsystem:

Disk

C System First partition (4 GB)

D Video Storage 24 (or 36) Fibre

E HDAR Second partition of

NOTE Use disk drive D (the Fibre Channel disk drives) only for video file storage. Store

Disk F is the system’s CD-ROM drive. For more information on stripe sets and logical disk drives,
see Chapter 6, “Rebuilding System Software.”

Volume Label Location Format Contents

audio files, project files, and other data only on disk drive E.

System Software

System software for a RAX HD Animation Recorder consists of:

♦ Operating system software
♦ Operating system Service Pack software
♦ Driver software for the ba se system hardware
♦ Driver software for the HD Animation Recorder hardware

of system disk drive

Channel disk drives

system disk drive

File Allocation
Table (FAT)

NTFS Video files

NT File System
(NTFS)

Operating system software

Audio files, project files

♦ Frame Wrangler software
♦ Video File Explorer software
♦ Sample animation frames

All software is installed on the system before shipment. For information on setting up the software
for first-time use, see Chapter 3, “Setting Up the Softwar e .”

If you must reinstall any system software later, you can do so from copies provided on CD-ROMs
delivered with the system. For information on reinstalling HD Animation Recorder driver software
and Frame Wrangler software, see Chapter 6, “Rebuilding System Software.” For information on
reinstalling the operating system and the base system hardware drivers, see the System Guide
delivered with the system’s base unit.

Frame Wrangler is the primary software tool installed on a RAX HD Animation Recorder. With
Frame Wrangler, you can set up and control the harvesting of animation frames from network­based rendering systems, conversion of animation frames into video clips (or vice versa), and
conversion of video clips into the appropriate video playback format.

Frame Wrangler provides versatile control capabilities with familiar videotape recorder (VTR)­style controls. Icons offer single-click access to Frame Wrangler functions such as mixing and
audio editing. To satisfy the desire to personalize software, you can choose from a palette of
custom skins to vary Frame Wrangler’s appearance. See Chapter 4, “Getting to Know Frame

Wrangler,” for more information on Frame Wrangler’s interface and capabilities.

Video File Explorer is an additional tool for viewing, manipulating, and extracting animation
frames (rendered image files) that comprise disk-based video files. You can use Video File
Explorer to open a video file, view animation frames in the video file, extract animation frames to
individual image files, and extract audio data to a separate audio file. For more detailed
information on Video File Explorer, see Video File Explorer Help.

Animation Frame Formats

The RAX HD Animation Recorder accepts rendered image files in several animation frame input
formats as input. This lets animators use the animation format they find most productive, from a
wide variety of available animation tools.

The system lets you harvest and build video clips from animation frames in several formats:

7

♦ Windows Bitmap (.
♦ JPEG (.
♦ TIFF (.
♦ Targa (.
♦ Cineon (.

JPG)

TIF)

TGA)

CIN)

♦ SOFTIMAGE PIC (.
♦ Wavefront RLA (.
♦ Intergraph RGB (.

BMP)

PIC)
RLA)
RGB)

From rendered image files in these formats, the system produces disk-based video files. You can
also use Frame Wrangler to save video files as a set of image files in the supported animation
frame formats.

8

Video File Formats

The system produces high-definition (HD) video output from rendered image files. These disk­based video file formats are supported:

♦ Audio/Video Interleave (AVI)—Frame Wrangler makes and uses uncompressed OpenDML-

compliant AVI files. The OpenDML AVI file provides high-performance file organization
and supports file sizes greater than 2 GB. Note that at higher data rates, Frame Wrangler
requires an AVI file to contain at least eight frames.

You can also use Frame Wrangler to save video files as a set of image files in the supported
animation frame formats, and to read video files from other sources.

HD Video Formats

The RAX HD Animation Recorder produces high-definition (HD) video output in real time as
disk-based video files. These video files can be played back on HD video equipment and recorded
to an HD videotape recorder (VTR).

For example, it may be more efficient to render a project at a lower resolution and scale up. With
the RAX HD Animation Recorder, you can do this in real time while viewing both the source
material and scaled-up material on different monitors. The system also enables the use of a single
set of rendered images for multiple versions of the same production. With real-time conversions,
rendered data can be recorded to several tape formats in the time it takes to play it back.

In the following list:

♦ The first number is the vertical resolution (lines).
♦ The second number is the video playback rate, or frame rate (frames per second).
♦ 1080/25i supports 1,125 lines and 1,250 lines (some non-visible lines are present).

Progressive (p)

720/59.94p 1035/29.97i 1080/23.98sF
720/60p 1035/30i 1080/24sF
1080/23.98p 1080/25i
1080/24p 1080/29.97i
1080/25p 1080/30i
1080/29.97p
1080/30p

Interlaced (i) Segmented Frame (sF)

The possible progressive output options are:

9

Source Displayed At
(frames per second)

Video Output Rate
(frames per second)

23.98 23.98
24 24
25 25

29.97 29.97
30 30

23.98, 29.97, or 59.94 (user-selectable) 59.94
24, 30, or 60 (user-selectable) 60

The possible interlaced output options are:

Source Displayed At
(frames per second)

Video Output Rate
(fields per second)

25 or 50 (user-selectable) 50

23.98, 29.97, or 59.94 (user-selectable) 59.94
24, 30, or 60 (user-selectable) 60

10

2 Setting Up the Hardware

This chapter describes how to set up and start the hardware components of your RAX HD
Animation Recorder.

Before You Begin

Review the RAX HD Animation Recorder Quick Connect Diagram (delivered with the system) to
see how system components connect and where they should reside in relation to each other.

Before you be gin setting up the HD Animation Recorder hardware:
♦ Ensure that you have adequate AC power on site. If the site has 20A service, you can connect

all of the basic hardware to the same service line. If the site has 15A service, you must have
two separate, dedicated 15A service lines for the basic hardware. See "Connecting to AC
Power" in this chapter for more information.

♦ Ensure that the base unit hardware is set up correctly. See “Setting Up the Base Unit

Hardware” in this chapter.

♦ Ensure that the system’s base unit is shut down and that base unit power is turned off (the

power cord is disconnected from its AC outlet). See the System Guide delivered with the
system for more information.

11

♦ Remove the Fibre Channel RAID storage arrays, Fibre Channel hubs, associated hardware,

and cables from their shipping containers.

Before you attempt to mount the Fibre Channel RAID storage arrays and hubs in a standard 19­inch equipment rack, note that:

♦ The storage arrays mount in standard 19-inch equipment racks in use at your site.
♦ A vertical unit (U) is a standard measurement equivalent to 1.75 inches of vertical rack space.

Small markers on the rack mounting rails usually indicate each vertical unit. For more
information, see the documentation for the racks in use at your site.

♦ Each storage array occupies 4U of vertical rack space. The three hubs, their rack-mount

shelves, and the associated blanking plate together occupy 3U of vertical rack space.

♦ Measure the available vertical space in your racks and mark the locations of each component

before you start installation.

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Setting Up the Base Unit Hardware

A rack-mounted base unit is the heart of your RAX HD Animation Recorder. You must set up the
base unit hardware before continuing with the procedures in this chapter.

To set up the base unit hardware:

1. Follow the instructions in the base unit’s System Guide to mount the base unit in an equipment

rack and set up the basic base unit hardware.

2. Follow the instructions in the Intense3D Wildcat 4110 documentation to connect the computer

monitor to the Wildcat 4110 VIO graphics controller in the base unit.

Expansion cards for the RAX Animation Recorder system are installed in the base unit as follows:

Slots

Slot 1 (AGP) and Slot 2 (PCI) (Left) Wildcat 4110 VIO graphics controller
Slot 3 (PCI) HD Scan Engine
Slot 4 (PCI) QLogic Host Bus Adapter
Slot 5 (PCI) QLogic Host Bus Adapter
Slot 6 (PCI) QLogic Host Bus Adapter
Slot 7 (PCI) (Right) Antex StudioCard audio controlle r

Expansion Card

Mounting the Fibre Channel RAID Storage Arrays

The system comes with three Fibre Channel RAID storage arrays. Each storage array is a rack­mount chassis that supports up to 12 Fibre Channel disk drives and associated power modules,
input/output modules, and RAID controller
modules.

For more information on the storage array and
its associated equipment, see the storage array
documentation delivered with the system.

You will mount three Fibre Channel RAID
storage arrays in one or more standard 19-inch
equipment racks in use at your site. Repeat
the following steps for each array that you
mount.

WARNING Do not install disk drives in a storage array before you mount the storage array

in a rack! Doing this could lead to disk drive damage such as head crashes.
Subsequent disk drive failures may not be noticeable for three to six months.

13

To mount a Fibre Channel RAID storage array in a rack:

1. On each rack rail (front and back), locate the vertical unit (U) marker that will

be level with the bottom of the chassis. Mark the second and fifth mounting
holes above the U marker.

Fifth mounting hole

Second mounting hole

Vertical unit (U) marker

2. On each rack rail (front and back), insert b utton-head screws through the mounting holes

marked in step 1 and into the top and bottom holes of a bar nut. Leave the screws loose
enough to allow a mounting bracket to be fitted onto them later. See the following figures.

3. Attach two mounting brackets to each chassis rail with flat-head screws and lock nuts. Leave

the screws just loose enough to allow movement of the brackets on the rails. Se e the
following figures.

4. On each pair of rack mounting rails (front and back), fit the mounting brackets of a chassis rail

onto the button-head screws. Insert the teeth of each mo unting bracket between the bar nut
and the rack rail. Tighten the button-head screws. See the following figures.

5. On each chassis rail, tighten the flat-head screws to secure it to its mounting brackets. See the

following figures.

Lock nuts

Mounting bracket

Button-head
screws

Bar nut

Chassis rail

Flat-head screws