Taming the
Cisco Nexus 9000

1. Using a fine screwdriver or probe, remove the black insert closing off the wire routing channel in the Noctua fan.

2. Gently free the fan wires from the routing channel.

3. Inspect the Noctua fan. On one side, you will observe a pair of arrows molded into the fan frame. One shows the direction of airflow, the other the direction of rotation

You will insert the fan into the Cisco fan module so that the direction of airflow is TOWARD the Molex self-aligning connector.

4. You should also observe that, with the self-aligning connector facing you, the fan wires exit the fan at the LOWER LEFT corner.

However, if you left a longer or shorter Noctua fan pigtail than in this example, you may find that rotating the fan 90 degrees makes it easier to route the wires. This is acceptable.

5. Reinsert the shortened securing bolt, and tighten it gently. The Noctua fan has rubber buffers on the corners, do not overtighten this bolt or the fan will not sit straight.

6. Reinstall the self-aligning connector and reattach the GND terminal with the appropriate screw.

7. Reroute the new harness, and connect the Noctua fan to the male end of the harness.

You may find that one directin works better than another to install the cable, whatever keeps it out of the path of airflow will work fine.

You may also wish to use a small bundle tie to secure the looped cable to itself.

8. Reinstall the acrylic light pipe so that the end sits in the hole on the inner side of the fan module. There will be more play in the light pipe with the smaller single fan installed. This is fine.

8. Reinstall the screening plate, making sure the end of the light pipe nests into the hole in the screening plate.

Reinstall all remaining screws.

9. Final checkpoint. The module should have no protruding wires, all screws should sit flush, and the self-aligning connector should be in its proper position.

10. The moment of truth! Install the fan module, and log in to the NX-OS management console.

The "show environment" command should return a status of "OK" for FAN1, FAN2, and FAN3. (Don't worry about PS1, I'm just not using redundant power supplies at the moment.)

I'm including my temperatures as well, with the switch running at low load and in an unheated basement.

Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8

This information is supplied solely for educational purposes, and no claims are made as to its ownership or its fitness for any task. Commercial distribution or sale is strictly prohibited. All rights are retained by the original creators.