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Versa Networks

CSX8000 Series Hardware Guide

At a Glance

The Versa Cloud Services Switch (CSX) 8000 series appliances are next-generation software-defined LAN (SD-LAN) aggregation and core layer Ethernet switching appliances that combine the latest campus switching chipset from leading switch silicon vendors and that couple high performance with x86-based processor subsystem.

CSX8000 series appliances deliver carrier-grade reliability, line-rate Ethernet switching, and built-in x86-based compute for enterprise-grade routing, SD-LAN services, ZTNA on-premises and integrated security.

CSX8000 series appliances run the Versa Operating System™ (VOS™) software to provide comprehensive integrated security, including the following:

  • NGFW, UTM, ZTNA
  • On-premises ZTNA
  • Next-generation software-defined access
  • Fully secure software-defined perimeter
  • Application intelligence and application policy–based forwarding capabilities
  • Line-rate Layer 2 and Layer 3 forwarding and switching
  • Scalable advanced routing
  • Genuine multitenancy
  • Big-data–based analytics

The CSX8000 series appliances with VOS software are ideal for enterprise campus and data center deployments, offering natively built-in security and connectivity capabilities. The appliances enable secure, scalable, and reliable enterprise-wide LAN networking solutions.

Versa Networks management and control software, including Versa Director and Versa Analytics, support CSX8000 series appliances. Versa Director supports configuration, monitoring, and provisioning of CSX8000 series appliances, and Versa Analytics provides device, network, and security analytics. Managed service providers (MSPs) and enterprises of all sizes can deploy CSX8000 series appliances for scalable managed services.

CSX8000 series appliances deliver carrier-grade reliability, high performance, line-rate switching, and high compute capacity for enterprise-grade routing, SD-WAN, next-generation security, and uCPE scenarios. They are designed for deployment in large enterprise branches, campus sites, and data centers that require advanced secure SD-WAN along with comprehensive advanced application and cloud-intelligent SD-WAN services on premises.

CSX8000 series appliances offer LAN aggregation and core deployment options with high-speed downlink and uplink ports and a nonblocking, high-performance LAN solution.

CSX8000 series appliances have x86 processor compute capacity and high-capacity memory and storage that allow you to run VOS stateful functions in highly scalable forms. You can use the built-in compute capacity to host third-party virtual machines (VMs) and simplify network deployments, thus eliminating the need for consolidating multiple appliances and functions, such as additional compute blades, other standalone hardware platforms, and separate firewalls.

CSX8000 series appliances integrate a TPM chip to ensure the integrity and security of data, such as encryption and authentication keys. CSX8000 series appliances have a secure BIOS and secure boot capabilities.

CSX8000 series appliances provide the following features:

  • Networking interfaces
    • Ethernet switching for CSX8300
      • 48 SFP28 25/10-Gigabit Ethernet ports for switch interfaces.
      • Eight QSFP28 100-Gigabit Ethernet ports for switch interfaces. You can use direct attach cable (DAC) breakout cables to configure each QSFP port as four 25-Gigabit Ethernet ports, one 40-Gigabit Ethernet port, or four 10-Gigabit Ethernet ports.
      • Switching capability of 2 Tbps in each direction (4 Tbps full-duplex).
    • Ethernet switching for CSX8500
      • 32 QSFP28 100-Gigabit Ethernet ports for switch interfaces.
      • Switching capability of up to 3.2 Tbps in each direction (6.4 Tbps full-duplex)
  • Management interfaces
    • One Gigabit Ethernet-over-copper dedicated management port.
    • One RJ45 RS232 console port.
    • One USB port.
  • Fully redundant and field replaceable 1+1 AC power supplies.
  • Fully redundant and field replaceable n+1 fans.
  • Fixed chassis with no field-replaceable parts.
  • Desktop mount or rack-mountable in a 19-inch rack.

CSX8000 Appliance Models

The CSX8000 series appliances are available in the following models:

  • CSX8300—Powerful appliance for deployment in campus or large enterprise sites that require aggregation layer switches to interconnect LAN edge switches. The CSX8300 appliance provides advanced switching and routing, secure SD-LAN, and ZTNA on-premises functions. Alternatively, the CSX8300 appliance can be deployed as LAN edge switch for high-performance applications or as data center top-of-rack (TOR) switch to connect to servers with 25-GB Ethernet ports.
  • CSX8500—Higher-performance appliance for deployment in campus aggregation and core, or in data center locations, for networks that require advanced switching and routing, secure SD-LAN, and ZTNA on-premises functions.

Chassis Views

The front panel of the CSX8000 appliances is the side of the appliance with LEDs for status and power, a soft reset button, and ports. It also has integrated rack-mount ears for installation in standard 19-inch racks. This is the side that is visible when you install the appliance in an office environment or in a rack. The rear panel has the power supply units, ground contact, and cooling fans. This is the rear side when you mount the appliance in a 19-inch rack.

Figure 1 and Figure 2 show the front and rear panels of the CSX8300 appliance.

Figure 1: Front Panel of the CSX8300 Appliance

CSX8300_front-view.png


Figure 2: Rear Panel of the CSX8300 Appliance

csg8300-rear-view.png

Figure 3 and Figure 4 show the front and rear panels of the CSX8500 appliance.

Figure 3: Front Panel of the CSX8500 Appliance

CSX8500_front-view.png


Figure 4: Rear Panel of the CSX8500 Appliance

csg8500-rear-view.png

CSX8000 Series Appliance Specifications

This article lists the chassis and regulatory compliance specifications for the Cloud Services Switch (CSX) 8000 series appliances. It also lists the certifications and export control classification numbers (ECCNs) for the appliances.

Chassis Specifications

CSX8300 Appliance

Table 1 lists the chassis specifications for a CSX8300 appliance.

Table 1: CSX8300 Appliance Chassis Specifications

Item Specification
Services and Slot Density  
1-Gigabit Ethernet RJ-45 RS232 serial console port 1
1-Gigabit Ethernet copper management port 1
25/10-Gigabit Ethernet SFP28 ports for switch interfaces 48
100-Gigabit Ethernet QSFP28 ports for switch interfaces 8
Switching capacity 2 Tbps (4 Tbps full-duplex)
External USB ports (USB 2.0) 1
TPM Yes
Power supply Field replaceable, redundant 2 x 1000 W (115 VAC) or 1200 W (230 VAC) PSU
Power Specifications  
AC input voltage 100–240 Volts
AC input line frequency 50–60 Hz
Maximum power rating 1000 W (110 VAC) or 1200 W (220 VAC)
Power supply efficiency rating Platinum (80 Plus) or better
Chassis Physical Specifications  
Height 1.71" (43.5 mm)
Width 17.26" (438.4 mm)
Depth 21.1" (536 mm)
Weight 22 lb (10 kg)
Rack height 1 RU
Package Specifications  
Height 9.64" (245 mm)
Width 23.62" (600 mm)
Depth 28.34" (720 mm)
Weight 31.50 lb (14.30 kg)
Operating Conditions  
Temperature 0°C to 45°C (32°F to 113°F) at sea level
Humidity 5% to 90% non-condensing
System cooling Front-to-back cooling with FRU fans with built-in 5+1 redundancy
Acoustic noise level

Idle: 52.3 dBA

Full load: 66.8 dBA

Storage Conditions  
Temperature –40°C to 70°C (–40°F to 158°F) at sea level
Humidity 5% to 90%

CSX8500 Appliance

Table 2 lists the chassis specifications for a CSX8500 appliance.

Table 2: CSX8500 Chassis Specifications

Item Specification
Services and Slot Density  
1-Gigabit Ethernet RJ-45 RS232 serial console port 1
1-Gigabit Ethernet copper management port 1
100-Gigabit Ethernet QSFP28 ports for switch interfaces 32
Switching capacity 3.2 Tbps (6.4 Tbps full-duplex)
External USB ports (USB 2.0) 1
TPM Yes
Power supply Field replaceable, redundant 2 x 1000 W (115 VAC) or 1200 W (230 VAC) PSU
Power Specifications  
AC input voltage 100–240 Volts
AC input line frequency 50–60 Hz
Maximum power rating 1000 W (110 VAC) or 1200 W (220 VAC)
Chassis Physical Specifications  
Height 1.71" (43.5 mm)
Width 17.25" (438 mm)
Depth 20.27" (514 mm)
Weight 24 lb (10.87 kg)
Rack height 1 RU
Package Specifications  
Height 1.73" (44 mm)
Width 17.32" (440 mm)
Depth 18.50" (474 mm)
Weight 30 lb (13.63 kg)
Operating Conditions  
Temperature 0°C to 45°C (32°F to 113°F) at sea level
Humidity 5% to 90% non-condensing
System cooling Front-to-back cooling with FRU fans with built-in 5+1 redundancy
Acoustic noise level

Idle: 52.3 dBA

Full load: 66.8 dBA

Storage Conditions  
Temperature –40°C to 70°C (–40°F to 158°F) at sea level
Humidity 5% to 90%

Regulatory Compliance

Table 3 lists the regulatory compliance specifications for the CSX8000 series appliance.

Table 3: CSX8000 Series Regulatory Compliance Specifications

Item Specification
Safety

2014/35/EU

  • UL/CSA62368-1
  • IEC60950-1
  • IEC62368-1 standards
Security TPM 2.0
EMC FCC Part 15, Class A (US), CE (EU), CB (IEC)
Environmental RoHS 2.0

Certifications

CSX8000 series appliances comply with the certificates listed in Table 4.

Table 4: CSX8000 Series Certifications

Region Certifications
European Union

Safety and EMC

  • EN 60950-1:2005
  • EN 62368-1:2014
  • CE—EU Directive 2014/35/EU 2014/30/EU
Japan

VCCI—CISPR 32:2016 Class A

United States

EMI and wireless

  • FCC 47 CFR Part 15, Subpart B, Class A
  • ANSI C63.4-2014

Export Control Information

Table 5 lists the ECCN, HTS, and CCATS numbers for a CSX8000 series appliance.

Table 5: ECCN, HTS, and CCATS Numbers

 

Item

ECCN

Number

HTS

Number

CCATS

Number

 

Versa Use of Item

Embedded SSL software module 5E002 8542310000 G161333 SSL VPN proxy
IPsec toolkit used by Versa Operating SystemTM (VOSTM) devices 5D002 8542310000 G161333 IPsec cryptographic module
Hardware-based encryption and decryption 5A002U 8542310001 G156910L1 CSX8000 appliance

Restriction-Level Information

A CSX8000 series appliance complies with the restriction level listed in Table 6.

Table 6: CSX8000 Series Restriction Level Information

Versa Product

ECCN Number HTS Number CCATS Number

Export Classification Details

Encryption Status

Encryption Eligibility

CSX8000 series appliances 5A002A 8517620090 G193236
 
CSX8000 export classification number assigned by BIS Restricted 740.17(A) and (B)(2)(i)(A)

Front and Rear Panel Components

This article describes the front and rear panel components of a Cloud Services Switch (CSX) 8000 series appliance. For the exact location of these components on the appliance, see At a Glance.

Front Panel

The front panel of a CSX8000 series appliance has a power button, a reset button, and six status LEDs.

LEDs

Status LEDs provide the operational status of the appliance, interfaces, WLAN, and LTE connections.

Table 1 lists the LEDs, their colors and states, and the status they indicate.

Table 1: Front Panel LEDs in a CSX8000 Series Appliance

LED Color Status
Power Green
  • Off—Appliance is not powered on.
  • Green—Appliance is powered on.
Status Green, Red
  • Off—Appliance hardware is up, but there is a problem with the configuration or software.
  • Solid green—Controller connection is up and running, and probes and control plane packets are being transmitted.
  • Blinking green—Controller connection is in the process of being established.
  • Solid red—Controller node or CA has rejected this appliance, there is a certificate mismatch, or the appliance is unreachable.
  • Blinking red—Controller node is unreachable or unresponsive.
Cloud Green, Red

Currently not supported.

Wireless White
  • Off—Wireless module is not installed.
  • Solid white—Wireless module is up and running.
  • Blinking white—Wireless module is booting.
LTE White
  • Off—LTE module not installed or not connected.
  • Solid white—LTE module is up and running.
  • Blinking white—LTE module is connecting.

Power Button

Pressing the power on/standby button on the front panel of a CSX8000 series appliance turns on the power.

To turn the power off, use one of the following methods:

  • Press and release the power on/standby button. This method initiates a controlled shutdown of applications and the operating system before the appliance enters standby mode.
  • Press and hold the power on/standby button for 4 seconds or more. This method forces the appliance to enter standby mode without exiting the application and the operating system. If an application stops responding, you can use this method to force a shutdown.

Reset Button

The Reset button on the front panel of a CSX8000 series appliance resets the appliance to the factory-default settings. The reset functionality depends on the number of times you press the button within a span of 30 seconds, as described in Table 3. In between each press of the reset button, you must pause for a second to register the key press.

The Reset button is recessed so that it is not accidentally pressed while the appliance is operational.

To press the Reset button, use a sharp, narrow tool.

Table 3: Reset Button Press Behavior

Number of Presses Behavior
2 Reset the appliance to the factory-default snapshot.
4 Reset the appliance to the branch prestaging configuration.
6 Reset the appliance to the branch staging configuration.
8 Reset the appliance to branch post-staging configuration.

Reset the Appliance from the CLI

You can reset the appliance to the factory-default configuration by issuing the request system reset CLI command. To do this, your first connect to the appliance through the serial console port or by using SSH.

The factory-default reset procedure can take up to 20 minutes to complete. Do not power off the appliance during this time.

To reset an appliance to the factory-default configuration:

  1. To connect to the appliance through the serial console port, see Configure a Management Console to Connect to a CSX8000 Appliance.
  2. To connect to the appliance using SSH, connect your PC to the management port of the appliance. The management port has the default static IP address 10.10.10.10/24. Configure the PC IP address to any IP from this segment, for example, 10.10.10.1/24. Open an SSH session to the appliance using its IP address, 10.10.10.10.
  3. Log in to the appliance using the username "admin" and the password "versa123".
  4. Start the CLI:
% cli
  1. Issue the following command to reset the configuration to the factory default. If the current software version on the appliance is the same as that of the factory reset snapshot, the procedure takes about 10 minutes to complete. If the software versions are different, the procedure takes about 20 minutes to complete. Do not power off the appliance during the process.
# request system reset
  1. Verify that all Versa services are running by issuing the vsh status command from the Linux bash CLI. The following is a sample output of this command. If all the services are shown as stopped, issue the vsh start command from the Linux bash CLI to start them manually.
# vsh status
versa-service    is Running, [*] process 6784
versa-infmgr     is Running, [-] process 5623
versa-rfd        is Running, [-] process 5838
versa-vmod       is Running, [-] process 5839
versa-ip2user    is Running, [-] process 5844
versa-imgr       is Running, [-] process 5848
versa-acctmgrd   is Running, [-] process 5845
versa-fltrmgr    is Running, [-] process 5648
versa-vstated    is Running, [-] process 5625
versa-addrmgrd   is Running, [-] process 5857
versa-rt-cli-xfm is Running, [-] process 5798
versa-rtd        is Running, [-] process 5827
versa-dhcpd      is Running, [-] process 5620
versa-eventd     is Running, [-] process 5843
versa-vrrpd      is Running, [-] process 5643
versa-dnsd       is Running, [-] process 5646
versa-ppmd       is Running, [-] process 5793
versa-snmp-xform is Running, [-] process 5800
versa-certd      is Running, [-] process 5849
versa-ntpd       is Running, [*] process 5612
versa-dhclient6  is Running, [-] process 5807
versa-redis      is Running, [-] process 6927
versa-av-redis   is Running, [-] process 5003
versa-spackmgr   is Running, [-] process 5832
versa-monit      is Running, [*] process 6078
versa-confd      is Running, [*] process 4798
versa-fail2ban   is Running, [*] process 6093
versa-auditd     is Running, [*] process 6116
versa-nodejs     is Running, [-] process 5775
  1. Power off the appliance:
# sudo poweroff​​​

Rear Panel

The rear panel of a CSX8000 series appliance has the following components:

  • Two power supply units (PSUs), each 1000 W (115 VAC) or 1200 W (230 VAC), that provide 1+1 redundancy with front-to-back airflow.
  • Front-to-back cooling with FRU fans that provide 5+1 redundancy
  • One ground contact

Power Supply and Airflow

This article describes the AC power supply and airflow requirements for Cloud Services Switch (CSX) 8000 series appliances.

AC Power Supply

By default, CSX8000 series appliances ship with field-replaceable, redundant 1000 W (115 VAC) or 1200 W (230 VAC) AC power supply units (PSUs. The power supplies are modular and can be removed from the appliance.

Table 1 describes the AC power supply specifications for each power supply unit.

Table 1: CSX8000 AC Power Supply Specifications

Item Specification
AC input voltage 100–240 V
AC input line frequency 50–60 Hz
Power type Field replaceable 1+1 redundant
PSU Field replaceable unit (FRU) 1000 W or 1200 W

Airflow Requirements

The CSX8000 series appliances have 5+1 redundant fans, which are hot swappable in the field. The fans provide front-to-back cooling.

When planning your site for installing a CSX8000 series appliance in a 19-inch rack, keep in mind that the front side of the rack is the cool area, and the rear side is where hot air exits from the fan. Ensure that there is space on the rear side of the appliance to allow air to exit from the fan.

When placing a CSX8000 series appliance on a desk, ensure that there is space on the rear side of the appliance to allow air to exit from the fan. Also ensure that the vents on the side of the unit are never blocked, to allow hot air to flow out of the appliance. Covering the vents prevents heat from dissipating out of the appliance, which can cause the chassis to overheat and then shut down.

 

Installation Guidelines

This article provides general safety standards and warnings related to installing or connecting a Cloud Services Switch (CSX) 8000 series appliance.

General Safety Guidelines

Caution: Before installing or removing a CSX8000 series appliance, ensure that the appliance chassis is electrically connected to ground. When you are installing or removing an appliance, ensure that you wear an ESD grounding wrist strap. To put the ESD grounding strap on properly, attach it to an ESD point and then place the other end of the strap around your bare wrist, making good skin contact. Failure to use an ESD grounding strap could damage the appliance.

  • Install the CSX8000 series appliance in compliance with the following local, national, and international electrical codes:
    • United States—National Fire Protection Association (NFPA 70), United States National Electrical Code.
    • Canada—Canadian Electrical Code, Part 1, CSA C22.1.
    • Other countries—International Electromechanical Commission (IEC) 60364, Part 1 through Part 7. Evaluated to the TN power system.
  • Locate the emergency power-off switch in the installation area. In case of an electrical accident, turn off the power quickly.
  • Disconnect power to the appliance before installing or removing it.
  • Disconnect power from the circuit that is being used for the appliance.
  • If hazardous conditions exist, do not work alone.
  • If you are working under conditions that might be hazardous to the eyes, wear safety glasses or goggles.

Federal Communication Commission Interference Statement

This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions: (1)This device may not cause harmful interference, and (2) this device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation.

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 and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instruction manual, 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 their own expense.

If this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or television reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one of the following measures:

  • Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.
  • Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver.
  • Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the receiver is connected.
  • Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.

FCC Caution: Any changes or modifications not expressly approved by the party responsible for compliance could void the user's authority to operate this equipment.

This transmitter must not be collocated or operating in conjunction with any other antenna or transmitter.

Radiation Exposure Statement

This equipment complies with CE and FCC radiation exposure limits set forth for an uncontrolled environment. This equipment should be installed and operated with a minimum distance of 20 cm between the radiator and your body.

Warning: Operation of this equipment in a residential environment could cause radio interference.

Warning: Operation of this equipment is for indoor use only.

Prepare the Site for Installation

To prepare your site for installing a Cloud Services Switch (CSX) 8000 series appliance, follow the guidelines and requirements listed in this article.

Site Preparation Guidelines

  • Install the appliance in an enclosed and secure environment, and allow only authorized personnel to access the device.
  • Keep the area around the appliance free from dust.
  • Follow ESD prevention procedures to avoid any damage to the appliance.
  • When planning your site for installing a CSX8000 series appliance in a 19-inch rack, keep in mind that the front side of the rack is the cool area, and the rear side is where hot air exits from the fan. Ensure that there is space on the rear side of the appliance to allow air to exit from the fan.

Environmental Requirements

  • Ensure that the area in which you operate the appliance has adequate air circulation so that the cooling system functions normally. Ambient air temperature may not be sufficient to cool the chassis to acceptable operating temperatures without adequate circulation.
  • Avoid temperature extremes.
  • High-humidity conditions can cause moisture to penetrate into the chassis. The appliance can operate in relative humidity of 10 percent to 85 percent, non-condensing.

Rack Requirements

You can mount a CSX8300 or CSX8500 series appliance in a 19-inch four-post rack using slide rails. Table 1 lists the rack requirements.

Table 1: Rack Requirements for a CSX8000 Series Appliance

Requirement Guidelines
Rack type Use a 19-inch four-post rack that has bracket holes spaced at 1 U (1.75 in. or 4.45 cm) increments, and that has panels strong enough to support the weight of the appliance.
Rack size Comply with the size and strength standards of a 19-inch rack. Ensure that the rack rails are spaced wide enough to accommodate the external dimensions of the appliance chassis. Ensure that the spacing of rails and the adjacent racks allow for proper clearance around the appliance and the rack.
Rack firmly secured to building structure Secure the rack to floor brackets and to ceiling brackets to ensure maximum stability.

Airflow Requirements

When planning your site for installing a CSX8000 series appliance in a 19-inch rack, keep in mind that the front side of the rack is the cool area, and the rear side is where hot air exits from the fan. Ensure that there is space on the rear side of the appliance to allow air to exit from the fan.
 
When placing a CSX8000 series appliance on a desk, ensure that there is space on the rear side of the appliance to allow air to exit from the fan. Also ensure that the vents on the side of the unit are never blocked, to allow hot air to flow out of the appliance. Covering the vents prevents heat from dissipating out of the appliance, which can cause the chassis to overheat and then shut down.

Install a CSX8000 Series Appliance

This article provides instructions about how to unpack a Cloud Services Switch (CSX) 8000 series appliance and how to install it.

CSX8000 series appliances have integrated faceplate rack-mount ears for installation into standard 19-inch racks. When you install a CSX8000 series appliance in a 19-inch rack, allow a minimum of 1 RU space on each side of the appliance to allow hot air to flow out of the appliance.

When placing a CSX8000 series appliance on a desk, ensure that the vents on the side of the unit are never blocked, to allow hot air to flow out of the appliance. Covering the vents prevents heat from dissipating out of the appliance, which can cause the chassis to overheat and then shut down.

Unpack a CSX8000 Series Appliance

The CSX8000 series appliance is packed in a plastic bag, and it is shipped in a cardboard carton, secured with foam packing material. The carton also contains an accessory box. It is recommended that you unpack the appliance only when you are ready to install it.

To unpack a CSX8000 series appliance:

  1. Open the top flaps of the cardboard carton.
  2. Remove from the box the foam packing material holding the appliance and the accessories in place.
  3. Remove the accessory box and the appliance from the foam packing material.
  4. Remove the accessories from the accessories box.
  5. Verify the components against the packing list that is included in the box.

Note: It is recommended that you save the shipping carton and packing material when unpacking the appliance, in case you need to later move the appliance or return it. See How To Return Hardware.

Packing List for a CSX8000 Series Appliance

The cardboard carton in which a CSX8000 series appliance is shipped contains a packing list. Check the packing list against the parts that you receive in the shipping carton.

Table 1 lists the parts that are shipped with a CSX8300 or CSX8500 appliance.

Table 1: Parts Shipped with a CSX8300 or CSX8500 Appliance

Components Quantity
CSX8300 or CSX8500 appliance chassis 1
Power cable (U.S. only) 1
Console cable USB to RJ-45 1
Rear-post brackets 2
Rear-post bracket ears 2
Screws for ear locking 2
Screws for rack mounting 4 (size M6)
Screws 20 (size M4)

Warning: This equipment is not suitable for use in locations where children are present.

Mount a CSX8300 or CSX8500 Appliance in a Rack

You can mount a CSX8300 or CSX8500 appliance in a four-post 19-inch rack.

To mount the appliance, ensure that you have the following tools:

  • Number 2 Phillips (+) screwdriver
  • Tape measure

To mount a CSX8300 or CSX8500 appliance in a four-post 19-inch rack:

  1. Place the appliance chassis on a flat, stable surface.
  2. Check the internal dimensions of the rack with a tape measure. The appliance is 43.8 mm wide (about 17.24 inches) and must fit within the mounting posts.
  3. Attach the two rear post brackets to the appliance chassis using a minimum of six M4 screws that are shipped with the appliance. Use the rack screws to secure the switch in the rack.

Figure 1: Attach the Mounting Ears to a CSX8000 Series Appliance

rear-post-bracket-ears.png

  1. Lock the position of the rear post bracket ears using the included position-locking screws. You can adjust the rear post bracket ears to fit different rack depths, from 56 cm to 75 cm.

Connect a CSX8000 Series Appliance

This article describes how to connect a Cloud Services Switch (CSX) 8000 series appliance to an AC power source and to a management console.

Versa Networks recommends that you use an uninterruptible power strategy that prevents power interruptions. A UPS can isolate unpredictable power outages or blackouts, brownouts, lightning, power surges, or spikes.

Step 1: Connect AC Power to a CSX8000 Series Appliance

Before you begin connecting AC power to a CSX8000 series appliance, ensure that you have:

  • Electrostatic discharge (ESD) wrist strap.
  • An AC power cord is shipped with the appliances only for U.S. customers. Each power supply has a C14 plug that allows you to plug in standard power cords with C13 termination. The other end of the cord must have appropriate NEMA 5-15 local plug.

To connect a CSX8000 series appliance to an AC power source:

  1. Attach one end of the ESD grounding strap to your bare wrist, and connect the other end to the ESD point on the rack.
  2. Plug the C13 end of the AC power cord into the CSX8000 series appliance power supply (C14).

    ac-adapter.png
  3. Plug the NEMA 5-15 end of the AC power cord into an AC power source outlet.

    nema-5-15-male-plug.png

Step 2: Configure a Serial Management Console to Connect to a CSX8000 Series Appliance

The CSX8000 series appliances are equipped with an RJ45 serial console port.

To connect to the console port, use the RJ45-to-USB serial console supplied with the appliance:

  1. Plug the RJ45 end of the console cable into the console port located on the rear panel of the CSX8000 series appliance.
  2. Plug the USB end of the console cable into the management console (that is, the laptop).

To communicate with the appliance, you must have a terminal emulation program, such as PuTTY, running on your system. When you set up the connection, use the following default console port settings:

  • Speed (baud)—115200
  • Data bits—8
  • Stop bits—1
  • Parity—None
  • Flow control—None

To connect a management console to a CSX8000 series appliance:

  1. Open the PuTTY application. The PuTTY configuration window displays.

    putty-config-window.png
  2. In the Category navigation pane, click Session, and then in the Connection Type menu, click Serial.

    putty-serial.png
     
  3. In the Category navigation pane, click Connection > Serial. The Options Controlling Local Serial Lines page displays.

    putty-serial-options.png
     
  4. In the Serial Line To Connect To field, enter the COM port to which your device is connected. The default COM port is COM1.

    putty-serial-options-com1.png
     
  5. In the Configure the Serial Line section, enter the following information.

    putty-serial-options-others.png
  • In the Speed (Baud) field, enter the digital transmission speed. For CSX8000 series appliance, the speed must be 115200 baud.
  • In the Data bits field, enter the number of data bits used for each character. The recommended value is 8.
  • In the Stop bits field, enter the number of bits to send at the end of every character. The recommended value is 1.
  • In the Parity field, select None. This is the method of detecting errors in transmission.
  • In the Flow Control field, select None. This is the method of preventing data overflow.
  1. Optionally, in the Category navigation pane, click Session, and then in the Saved Sessions field, enter a name to save the session settings.

    putty-save-option.png
  2. Click Save.
  3. To open the session, click Open.

    putty-serial-save-option.png
  4. Log in to the appliance CLI with the username "admin" and the password "versa123".

    console-login-page.png

Step 3: Connect a CSX8000 Series Appliance to a Network Management Console

You can deploy and manage a CSX8000 series appliance from a Director or Concerto node. While you can configure and manage the appliance using a management console, it is recommended that you do so from the Director or Concerto node.

You can perform monitoring and troubleshooting from the CLI on the CSX8000 series appliance'. To access the CLI, connect the appliance to the management console using a cable with an RJ-45 connector. Plug the RJ45 connector into the console port on the CSX8000 series appliance, and plug the other end of the cable into the console server or into a management console.

 

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