Intel Server and ESXi 4.0 Fans Constantly full tilt

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networkn

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#74682 5-Jan-2011 12:22

Hi There!

I have a SR2500AL Intel server and for some reason the fans run 24/7 full tilt. How can I shut them up? It seems like it would be consuming an awful lot of power.

ieatservers

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#424247 5-Jan-2011 13:18

From the BIOS maybe?

Kraven

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#424252 5-Jan-2011 13:26

Could be either:

1) A fan is connected to the wrong header on the motherboard, or
2) You need to run FRUSDR to define the correct chassis and fan configuration

Either of these will cause the server fans to run at full speed.

networkn

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#424255 5-Jan-2011 13:49

Hi There!

Not much to configure there, normally the OS handles power management.

Were you sending me your resume?

freitasm

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#424259 5-Jan-2011 14:00

What OS? You should be able to manage Power through Control Panel.

Windows 7 and Windows Server should allow you to manage CPU usage, and what type of cooling you want to use (Active/Passive).

michaelmurfy

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#424268 5-Jan-2011 14:12

freitasm: What OS? You should be able to manage Power through Control Panel.

Windows 7 and Windows Server should allow you to manage CPU usage, and what type of cooling you want to use (Active/Passive).

It's VMware ESXi Server, which has it's own linux-based hyperviser.

Your best bet is heading into the BIOS, and turning the Fans to "Office" mode, turns them right down, seems like VMware have not included the drivers for your servers fan speed controls.

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networkn

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#424270 5-Jan-2011 14:13

Kraven: Could be either:

1) A fan is connected to the wrong header on the motherboard, or
2) You need to run FRUSDR to define the correct chassis and fan configuration

Either of these will cause the server fans to run at full speed.

How do I run FRUSDR? Where can I get it from? Is that the boot cd?

Kraven

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#424302 5-Jan-2011 15:40

networkn:
Kraven: Could be either:

1) A fan is connected to the wrong header on the motherboard, or
2) You need to run FRUSDR to define the correct chassis and fan configuration

Either of these will cause the server fans to run at full speed.

How do I run FRUSDR? Where can I get it from? Is that the boot cd?

It should be available on the Intel CD that came with the server, otherwise it should be available for download from the Intel website - usually as part of a BIOS/firmware upgrade pack. You're probably best to get the version from the Intel website and update the BIOS etc as well.

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chriswiggins

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#424404 5-Jan-2011 20:30

Have you considered that it may be running full tit as both power supplies are not plugged in? I only discovered this on my IBM server after I decided it would be good to have redundant power supplies running

Apparently if you only have one PSU it doesn't have that problem.

Be interested to see how you fix it!

jaymz

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#424589 6-Jan-2011 11:36

I had a similar problem on a HP ML110 G5 server. System fan would run at full speed all the time. (they are supposed to start at full speed then slow down afterwards - HP's thermal testing)

There were no settings in the BIOS to control the speed of the fan.

After updating the BIOS to the latest verison the issue still existed - try that first
After updating the System Board Management Firmware (HP Lights out for ML110's) the problem went away.

My advice, if there are no visable options in the BIOS, update all firmware on the board. Even if it does not appear to be relavant.

Failing that, if it is under warranty contact Intel for a replacement

networkn

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#424591 6-Jan-2011 11:39

I think it's something to do with the utility you boot from cd with that specifies the number of fans, and I think I picked 3 and perhaps there are 4, or 2. Apparently if it's wrong the fans go crazy. I just need to find a copy of that cd..