2.1. Physical Hardware Installation
💡 First Principle: Physical installation decisions are permanent constraints on everything that follows. A poorly planned rack layout causes thermal failures months later. Inadequate power causes mysterious crashes under load. Getting the physical layer right is cheaper and safer than fixing it after servers are in production.
The physical layer is where logical planning meets real-world constraints: floor load limits, cooling airflow, power circuit capacity, cable lengths, and the practical logistics of lifting heavy equipment. These aren't details—they're the difference between a stable data center and a fire hazard.
⚠️ Common Misconception: Hot-swap means any component can be replaced while the server is running. In reality, hot-swap applies only to components specifically rated for live replacement—drives, power supplies, and fans in supported configurations. CPUs and RAM require a full power-down. The exam distinguishes carefully between hot-swappable and non-hot-swappable components.
