Unacceptable noise on ML30 GEN10

[Storberg]

Is there a way forward to have the ML30 GEN10 fans running at normal speed, withouth actually rebuilding the complete cooling system? I understood that some servers instead use Noctua fans and a NZXT controller as replacement to the stock fans, but i prefer not to make such extensive changes.

I currently use Cruicial SSD discs connected to the SATA cables from Embedded S100i controller, while there are no discs in the LFF hotswap bays connected to the HPE Smart Array E208i-p SR. Drivers are installed for both controllers.

The current fan readings are 11%, 34% and 6%, which is very noisy and not needed at all, since everything is runnig cold. I tried both optimal and enhanced CPU cooling, but it really makes no difference.

Would it help to fit genuine HPE LFF SSD drives? I saw in previous discussions that this might be related to use of non genuine drives!?

I think it is a digrace that HPE haven't solved this problem long ago, leaving the clients with servers operating in a very noisy mode!

[shuff · Accepted solution]

I think this is a known phenomenon when using non-HPE certified hardware like your Crucial SSDs. The lack of recognized components makes the fans take the most conservative approach (max possible cooling). Plus the absence of disks in the LFF hotswap bays might be playing a role too (no redundancy = server wanting to protect what its got)

[TVVJ]

Hello,

Update the server's BIOS and the firmware of iLO and see if it helps.

Reseat the components and see if it helps.

If there are any third party options installed, then please uninstall them and see if the fans sound normal. 

Regards,

[Storberg]

Yeah, I guess you are right and I will order new HPE LFF hot swap discs and put them in the bays, it could be worth a try at least.

I will also remove the Crucial SSDs from embedded controller, they are at 92% so I thought I could use them a little bit longer, but I guess not. I assume it is wise to remove the embedded driver now too, since there will be no discs connected to the motherboard?

Strange, my both ML110 GEN 10 servers runs fine with any combination of non-HPE drives at 6% fans speed, and so does all my GEN 9 servers too. 

[Storberg]

I updated BIOS and all drivers with latest HPSUM and it was a clean installation of Windows Server 2022.

I will reseat all components and see if has any effect.

The only third party components I got are two Crucial SSDs in logical RAID 1. There are no software except WIndows Server and HPE.  I cannot remove the disks before I have the new HPE drives, but I will then. This is a pure domain controller and it has no other applications than AD, DHCP and DNS.

[Storberg]

@TVVJ I have removed and then reseated the controller board and the connectors. I also tested with the controller board not fitted at all and with disks fitted in the bay too and with that bay connected to both the enbedded and the separate controller, but nothing had an impact to the fan speed, one is still in the range 30 to 40% and noisy. It starts high during boot, and then at 6% on all fans for a while and then it decides to rev up. 

I looked around in HPE SSA on different servers and noticed that only a few have disks that report temperature, but that seems not causing any problems in ML110 G9, ML110 G10, ML10 V2 and ML10 G9 so the firmware and cooling algorithms works on these.

I have ordered 2x 872477-B21 that I will fit through adapters in the caddies, let's see how that goes.

I still think it is a problem that HPE makes an ILO firmware with this feature that they never correct, and it obviously causing a lot of problems in many ML30 G10 servers...

[Mr_Techie]

@Storberg  

Try referring this topic: https://community.hpe.com/t5/proliant-servers-ml-dl-sl/proliant-dl360-gen10-plus-with-2-tesla-t4-cards-very-loud-fans/m-p/7213802/highlight/true#M186701  I hope that helps. 

[Storberg]

The 2x 872477-B21 arrived and was moved from the SFF caddies and fitted through adapters in LFF caddies hooked to the separate board controller. The fan speed went down already when they drives were plugged in although non HPE branded SSD:s still were present on the embedded controller. The non-HPE was then removed and a clean installation was made to get the opearting system on the new drives. It shall be noted that removing the separate controller was tested already and did not silent the fans, so the influence from a non populated controller is doubtful, but presence of at least one set of HPE-branded drives is critical for low noise. 

The fan speed stabilized at 11%, 6%, 6% overnight, which then makes the server permanently silent.

It would have been better with more forgiving firmware, allowing for any brand Enterprise drives like on ML110 Gen9,  ML110 Gen10 or ML10 Gen9, but the server can now at least be used on premises where people work or live, which is good!