External Ambient Temperature Too High
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The server fans pull cool air into the server from its
external environment. If the ambient temperature is too high,
the internal temperature of the server and its components
increases. This can cause poor performance and component
failure.
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Verify the ambient temperature of the server space against the
environmental specifications for the server. If the temperature
is not within the required operating range, remedy the situation
immediately.
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Periodically verify the ambient temperature of the server
space to ensure that it is within the required range, especially
if you made any changes to the server space (for example, added
additional servers). The temperature must be consistent and
stable.
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Airflow Blockage
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The server cooling system uses fans to pull cool air in from
the server front intake vents and exhaust warm air out the
server back panel vents. If the front or back vents are blocked,
the airflow through the server is disrupted and the cooling
system fails to function properly causing the server internal
temperature to rise.
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Inspect the server front and back panel vents for blockage
from dust or debris. Additionally, inspect the server interior
for improperly installed components or cables that can block the
flow of air through the server.
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Periodically inspect and clean the server vents using an ESD
certified vacuum cleaner. Ensure that all components, such as
cards, cables, fans, air baffles and dividers are properly
installed. Never operate the server without the top cover
installed.
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Cooling Areas Compromised
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The component filler panels, and server top cover maintain and
direct the flow of cool air through the server. These server
components must be in place for the server to function as a
sealed system. If these components are not installed correctly,
the airflow inside the server can become chaotic and
non-directional, which can cause server components to overheat
and fail.
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Inspect the server interior to ensure that the components are
properly installed. Ensure that all external-facing slots
(storage drive, PCIe) are occupied with either a component or a
component filler panel.
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When servicing the server, ensure that the components are
installed correctly and that the server has no unoccupied
external-facing slots.
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Hardware Component Failure
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Components, such as power supplies and fan modules, are an
integral part of the server cooling system. When one of these
components fails, the server internal temperature can rise. This
rise in temperature can cause other components to enter into an
over-temperature state. Additionally, some components, such as
processors, might overheat when they are failing, which can also
generate an over-temperature event.
To reduce the risk related to component failure, power
supplies and fan modules are installed in pairs to provide
redundancy. Redundancy ensures that if one component in the pair
fails, the other functioning component can continue to maintain
the subsystem. For example, power supplies serve a dual
function; they provide both power and airflow. If one power
supply fails, the other functioning power supply can maintain
both the power and the cooling subsystems.
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Component redundancy is provided to allow for component
failure in critical subsystems, such as the cooling subsystem.
However, once a component in a redundant system fails, the
redundancy no longer exists, and the risk for server shutdown
and component failures increases. Therefore, it is important to
maintain redundant systems and replace failed components
immediately.
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