Noisy Fans on ME4

Hello,

These forums are monitored by Dell representatives and I wanted to reply to your question. Unfortunately, that fan speed is within normal range for the system. Cooling is controlled by the system management controller onboard, so there isn't any recommendation I can make to reducing the cooling of your storage chassis. Be advised that if you do find a method to reduce the RPM, the cooling will also reduce and the system will heat up. Based on the numbers you shared in your post, this doesn't look like it will be an immediate concern, but this additional heat can lead to additional wear.

Yes, I understand the cooling is controlled by the system management controller and it is within the specification on the product manual.

I don’t mean to reduce the RPM manually, but I want to know whether the controller has some settings to fine tune, so that it won’t generate too much heat inside and boost up the fan speed frequently.

I know this post is 2 years old.  But did you ever get a solution for this?  I have a ME4012 in a room kept at 68F and this thing sounds like it trying to take off to the sky with my server rack.  I am noticing that when the fans are in the 9000's RPM the Disk Controller temp reading through the CLI for both controllers is high 170-180.  When the fans calm down, those temps go to the 140's.  None of the other sensors are fluctuating.  I have this unit full of drives and there isn't much room for air flow.  Poor design Dell, cmon man!!  

 I have a similar issue. The fan speed noise is incredibly loud even when the powervault is operating at nominal workloads. Has anyone resolved this problem yet?

Based on the temperatures you've shared, it does appear that the "Expander Internal Temperature" on the ME4012 is somewhat high compared to your ME4024 system, even though the disk temperatures and inlet temperatures seem to be within a typical range.

While it is true that the manufacturer's manual may indicate that these conditions are not faulty, the increase in fan speed (and consequently, noise) is a response to elevated internal temperatures. It's a built-in safeguard to ensure the hardware does not overheat, and as such, is a sign that something could be improved.

One key point to consider is that you're comparing a hard disk drive (HDD) system (ME4012) with an all-flash drive system (ME4024). Flash drives typically generate less heat than HDDs due to their lack of moving parts, which could explain the higher temperatures and consequently, higher fan speeds in your ME4012.

To mitigate this issue, consider the following:

1. Ventilation: Ensure that your ME4012 storage server has adequate airflow around it. Any obstructions could lead to elevated temperatures and higher fan speeds.

2. Hardware Inspection: If ventilation doesn't seem to be the problem, there could be an issue with the fans or the thermal sensors on your ME4012. Even if it's not indicated as a fault condition, these elements could still be operating sub-optimally.

3. Firmware Update: You've mentioned that you're on the latest firmware GT280R008-04. However, sometimes a future firmware release may address fan control or thermal management issues.

4. Professional Assistance: If the above points don't help, you may want to consider professional assistance. Contact the manufacturer's technical support team, providing them with the same details you shared with us.

I hope these suggestions prove helpful in addressing your concerns about the noise level from your ME4012 system. Please don't hesitate to reach out if you have any other questions or require further assistance.

Best Regards, Hazz Studio