Hardware Installation
33
Building a Universal Videohub 288
Universal Videohubs contain electrostatic sensitive devices. It is essential to discharge yourself of static
electricity before handling any of these devices, just as you would when installing devices into a computer.
We recommend the use of an antistatic wrist strap when handling any of these devices.
Universal Videohub 288
Universal Videohub 288 ships as an empty rack frame except for a fan tray containing three hot-swappable
fans. 25 rack units of space should be reserved for the installation of the Universal Videohub 288 and two
rack-mount power supply chassis. 2 RU of this reserved space should be left above Universal Videohub 288
for heat dissipation unless mounted at the top of an open rack where there is no obstruction to airflow above
the Videohub. Only 23 RU is required if Universal Videohub 288 is mounted at the top of an open rack. Due
to the sheer number of cables that are likely to be attached to this Videohub, it would be preferable to
mount Universal Videohub 288 in a dedicated rack.
As part of the space reservation in your equipment rack, 5 RU should be allocated to install both Universal
Videohub Power Supply chassis under the Universal Videohub 288. This 5 RU allowance includes 1 RU
of clearance between each power supply chassis for heat dissipation and also 2 RU of clearance under
the base of the Videohub to allow the fan tray to be removed and the fans replaced. Please refer to the
Troubleshooting section of this manual for instructions on "Replacing a fan in Universal Videohub".
Universal Videohub 288 should be securely mounted in a rack before populating it with any additional
hardware as it will quickly become very heavy. The substantial combined weight of many connected SDI
cables means that it is a good idea to connect cables to the lower cards first and then progressively insert
the upper interface cards and connect SDI cables as required. Cables should be supported by the rack and
not just left hanging from the Videohub. While true of any video router, it is particularly important to support
cables on big video routers so as not to stress the interface connectors. Cable support can be provided by
using cable harnesses and tying each harness to the rack frame.
It is essential that unpopulated card slots be covered with the blanking plates which are supplied with the
Universal Videohub. Failure to cover all slots may lead to Universal Videohub overheating.
Universal Videohub 288 Crosspoint
Once the Universal Videohub 288 has been mounted in a rack, it needs to be fitted with a crosspoint card.
The crosspoint card is the "brains" of any Universal Videohub and performs video route switching. A second
Universal Videohub 288 Crosspoint card can be installed for future redundancy. Universal Videohub 288
Crosspoint cards are hot-swappable and are designed to be installed and removed while the Universal
Videohub is running. However replacing the card is like a brain transplant and all video routes and port
labels will be removed with the old card.
An empty Universal Videohub 288 frame
Universal Videohub 288 Crosspoint card
