This guide covers the physical installation of an Oxide rack on installation day, from uncrating through securing the rack in its final position. This work is typically performed by datacenter facilities teams or colocation provider technicians.
Before You Begin
Verify the following are ready before uncrating:
Delivery path is clear per Site Requirements.
Final rack location is confirmed with 2-tile front and rear clearance.
Facilities team is on-site and briefed.
Tools ready for seismic anchoring (if required by local code).
Grounding/bonding hardware ready (if required by local code).
Uncrating
Follow the uncrating procedures in the Rack Facility Setup Instruction that ships with the rack. The key steps are:
Remove the outer crate panels per the included instructions.
Inspect the rack exterior for shipping damage before removing all packing material.
Save the crate hardware in case the rack needs to be re-shipped.
Shipping Damage Inspection
Before proceeding further, perform a visual inspection of the uncrated rack:
No visible dents, scratches, or deformation on the rack chassis.
All doors and side panels are intact and properly attached.
No signs of impact damage to the top or bottom of the rack.
Casters are intact and rotate freely.
If you observe any shipping damage, document it with photographs and notify Oxide Support before proceeding.
Moving the Rack into Position
The uncrated rack rides on casters and can be rolled directly into its final position in most cases.
| Scenario | Approach |
|---|---|
Floor can support full weight | Roll the populated rack on casters directly to the target location. |
Weight restrictions on floor path | De-populate sleds into a cart, roll the lighter rack, then re-seat sleds at final location. |
Tight spaces (narrow doors/hallways) | Remove side panels (rack is 23.7" wide without panels) and/or doors (rack is 41.8" deep without doors). |
De-Populating Sleds
If you need to reduce rack weight for transport:
Mark each sled’s position before removal (sleds are NOT interchangeable between slots).
Carefully slide each sled out of its cubby, supporting the full weight.
Place sleds in a padded cart or transport container.
After moving the rack, re-seat sleds in their original positions.
Verify all sleds are fully seated and latched.
Panel Removal
If you need to reduce rack width or depth:
Side panels:
Remove mounting screws from the front and rear edges.
Lift the panel up and away from the rack.
Width without side panels: 23.7" (60 cm).
Doors:
Remove hinge pins or mounting screws.
Lift door away from rack.
Depth without doors: 41.8" (106 cm).
Save all removed panels and hardware for reinstallation at the final location.
Securing the Rack
Once the rack is positioned in its final location:
Verify Clearances
Minimum of 39-48 inches (2 floor tiles) of clearance behind and in front of the rack.
Rack is positioned for cold aisle / hot aisle airflow if applicable.
No obstructions prevent access to front or rear of the rack.
Lock Casters
The rack casters include locking mechanisms to prevent movement:
All four caster locks engaged.
Rack is stable and does not roll when pushed.
Seismic Anchoring (if required)
The rack includes anchorage/bracing attachment points. While these can be used to anchor the rack per local building code requirements, the anchorage is not currently rated for seismic protection. Seismic testing is planned for a future release, but for now the anchorage points can be used to satisfy building code requirements for rack securing without providing earthquake protection.
If local building codes require rack anchoring:
Verify the rack includes designated bonding points for anchoring.
Install anchoring hardware per local code requirements.
Document anchoring installation for compliance records.
Grounding and Bonding (if required)
If local electrical codes require grounding or bonding to building ground:
Identify bonding points on the rack chassis (marked with ground symbol).
Connect grounding cable from rack bonding point to facility ground.
Verify connection is secure and meets local code requirements.
Preliminary Product Inspection
Before power is connected, perform the following visual inspection to detect any shipping damage or loose components:
For each server sled, ensure the sled handle is fully locked in place.
Confirm that visible cables are properly connected and not pinched or damaged.
Verify the SSDs are fully seated in their slots and latched in place.
Remove any shipping tape from the sleds, SSDs, or other components.
What to Look For
| Component | Normal Condition | Problem Indicators |
|---|---|---|
Server Sleds | Fully seated, rear connectors flush with cubby. | Partially ejected, visible gap at rear, damaged connectors. |
SSDs | Fully seated in drive bays, latches engaged. | Partially seated, latches not engaged, shipping tape still attached. |
Internal Cables | Neatly routed, secured with cable management. | Loose, pinched, damaged insulation, disconnected. |
Power Shelves | All rectifiers fully seated, no visible damage. | Rectifiers partially ejected, damaged connectors, loose components. |
Switches | Fully seated in their positions, front panel accessible. | Partially ejected, damaged ports, loose cables. |
If you observe any abnormal conditions, document them with photographs and contact Oxide Support before proceeding to power connection.
Handoff to Electrical Team
After physical installation and inspection are complete, the rack is ready for power connection. Complete this checklist before notifying the electrical team:
Rack is in its final position.
Clearances verified (2 tiles front and back).
Caster locks engaged or seismic anchoring installed.
Grounding/bonding complete (if required).
Preliminary inspection complete with no issues found.
All side panels and doors reinstalled (if they were removed).
Work area is clean and free of packing materials.
Physical installation complete — Electrical team can proceed with power connection.
Troubleshooting Physical Installation
| Issue | Solution |
|---|---|
Rack won’t fit through doorway | Remove side panels (reduces width to 19") and/or doors (reduces depth to 41.8"). If still too large, de-populate sleds and transport separately. |
Floor tiles flex or crack under weight | Verify floor load capacity with facilities. May need to add supplemental support or distribute load across more floor tiles. |
Casters damaged or won’t lock | Document with photographs. Contact Oxide Support before proceeding. Do not proceed with power connection if rack cannot be secured. |
Sleds won’t re-seat after transport | Verify sled is aligned with guide rails. Do not force. If sled does not slide in smoothly, check for obstructions or bent guide rails. |
Shipping damage observed | Document with photographs. Contact Oxide Support before proceeding. Do not connect power to damaged equipment. |
Cannot access bonding points for grounding | Bonding points are typically on the rear of the chassis. Remove rear panels if necessary. Contact Oxide Support if bonding points cannot be located. |
What’s Next
Power connection: See Power Connection for procedures to plan out and connect power.
For the complete project timeline, see the System Setup guide.