A system includes a network element having a housing that is configured for front-to-rear airflow; and a cooling apparatus located adjacent to the network element and having a housing that forms a cavity that is closed by the housing of the network element, wherein the cooling apparatus includes one or more fan units that are accessible via front access and wherein the one or more fan units are configured to draw the front-to-rear airflow from the network element into the cavity. This enables a front-to-back airflow design with rear fan access to be converted into a front-to-back airflow design with front fan access.