Cisco Nexus 3000 series - Preparing to Install the Chassis; Equipment Grounding and Clearance; Lifting and Rack-Mounting Precautions; Overheating Prevention

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Figure 6. The Airflow Sleeve Figure 7. Airflow Optimization with the Airflow Sleeve
In Data Center deployments, where the Nexus 2000 / 3000 temperature is close or reached the temperature
threshold, the Airflow Sleeve will help reduce the temperature at intake and avoid potential shutdown of the device
if the second temperature threshold is reached.
When deployed with reversible airflow (back-to-front, port side intake) and stacked on top of multiple devices, the
cold air enters via the port side of the switch/FEX. The FEX design is with an incurved exhaust on the top of the
chassis that facilitates the hot air evacuation and direction. While this is a design optimized for front-to-back airflow,
it is less optimized for a reversible back-to-front airflow when the Nexus 3000 or Nexus 2000 is the unit that resides
at the very top of the rack (first unit). The Airflow Vent (Figure 8) will help direct the cold airflow inside the chassis.
The Airflow Vent can be very easily placed on top of the exhaust and direct the cold air appropriately in the Nexus
3000 / Nexus 2000 FEX.
Figure 8. Airflow Optimization with Airflow Vent