ProLiant DL20 Gen11 very noisy

[Enrico78]

Hello,

I have a brand new ProLiant DL20 Gen11 server and it is very noisy. According to iLO, the Fan #3 is always running at around 38%. All temperatures are way below acceptable range in iLO.

- Operation System Vmware 8.0.3

- Update iLO 6  firmware to 1.66

- Update Server Platform Services (SPS) Firmware to 6.3.4.48.0

- Update System ROM to U65 v2.12

Any ideas ot tips ?

Regards

[Harshitha_K]

Hi @Enrico78 ,

I hope this helps!

Please try this steps:

• Install the System ROM 2.44,  available for download here. Update affected servers with this System ROM version to eliminate the problem.
• Update firmware and drivers to the latest SPP , version 2024.04.00
• In some systems with fewer than 8 drives, the fans may run at lower speeds/noise when separating the drives, increasing the distance between them helps with cooling, thus lowers the fan speeds. For example: with 4 drives, instead of installing drives in slots 1-4 try installing in slots 1,4,6,8. In a 12-drive configuration, instead of Box1 Bay 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8 Box2 Bay 1,2,3,4 try Box1 Bay 1,2,4,5,7,8 Box2 Bay 1,2,4,5,7,8.
• At the customer's own discretion, use the iLO GUI to change the minimum fan speed in 5% increments to see what is tolerable for their environment. (In the iLO GUI, Under Power & Thermals, set "Minimum Fan Speed".)
• If noise is a major concern, consider configuring the system with SATA SSD drives. These drives can operate with around 13% duty cycle, with very low noise levels.

In addition to this, please refer this Troubleshooting guide, post and all posts related to Noisy fans

Thank you!

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[Enrico78]

Hi Harshitha_K,

thanks for your reply, the Rom version you recommended is for ML350/DL360/DL380 Gen11.

I have a DL20 Gen11, I tried to update anyway, but it fails (no matching target was found for this update/upload).

Now I will try to install the service pack, but here too, what you suggest is for Gen12 and I have a Gen11.

I found this  https://support.hpe.com/connect/s/softwaredetails?collectionId=MTX-a2a2747055284d4e&tab=releaseNotes

in the ilo I have no possibility to change the speed of the fans, I can only choose between :

Optimal Cooling , Enhanced CPU Cooling, Increased Cooling, Maximum Cooling, Smooth Cooling.

what do you recommend me to do?

Regards

[yesheswini_s]

Hi @Enrico78 ,

Please refer to this post and this advisory document. This might be useful.

[Enrico78]

thanks for the reply.,
but I have ilo6 and I updated everything to the latest versions available, service pack included. The ams is regularly started and visible on the Gui in ok.
On vmware it is started.
The fans are really annoying.
I don't know what else to do.

[Harshitha_K]

Hi @Enrico78 ,

• Please find the ROM Flash Firmware for DL20 Gen11 Servers. Update it to the latest version.
• Please try installing AMS or Agentless Management Service on the server. 
• Refer the Advisory.
• Please use the below procedure to manually enter the fan speed:

1. Click Power & Thermal in the navigation tree, and then click the Fans or Fans & Cooling Modules tab. The tab name depends on the features the server supports.
2. Click on Edit icion. The Fan Settings page opens
3. Enter the Minimum Fan Speed (%) for all installed fans, and then click OK. Save and Exit for the changes to make effect.

I recommend to use Optimal cooling option. For more information, Refer the quickspecs here.

Please find the information on Thermal configuration settings:

• Optimal Cooling: Provides the most efficient solution by configuring fan speeds to the minimum required to provide adequate cooling.
• Enhanced CPU Cooling: Provides additional cooling to the processors, which can improve performance.
• Increased Cooling: Operates fans at a higher speed.
• Maximum Cooling: Provides the maximum cooling available for the system.
• Smooth Cooling: Reduces fan speed response, resulting in an improvement in the acoustic experience.

Thank you!

Hope this information has helped you, Please click on the "Thumbs Up/Kudo" icon as a token of appreciation. Also, if this post has helped to solve your issue, consider marking this as an "Accepted Solution".

[support_s]

Hello,

Let us know if you were able to resolve the issue.

If you are satisfied with the answers then kindly click the "Accept As Solution" button for the most helpful response so that it is beneficial to all community members.

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[Adcorp]

I had the same issue. I had to wear earmuffs to sit next to it to load it. It was solved by downloading updated firmware and installing AMS  CP064623 & iLo 6 channel update. CP063547, . I'm sitting here now with it quietly working next to me. Hope that helps..

[Greeshma21]

Hi @Enrico78 

Do the changes in RBSU,
System Configuration > BIOS/Platform Configuration (RBSU) > Advanced Options > Fan and Thermal Options >Thermal Configuration>Optimal Cooling

Check the status now.

If it is already set to "Optimal Cooling", change the cooling mode to "Increased Cooling". and check for issue resolution.

If still the issue persist, shutdown a server 

To drain the flea power, disconnect all power sources, external cables (including power and network cables), and external devices. Then, press and hold the power button for 10 seconds.Check the fans and be sure the air flows over the drive.
Reseat the fans. Also reseat any PCI cards if connected.
Clear NVRAM

For more details, Please refer to this post, It might help you.

Regards,
Greeshma