Re: [LUG] HP ProLiant MicroServer N54L Fan Noise

Noisy fan:Â

- Is it noisier than when it first went in? Dust builds up on the leading edge of the fan blades and creates noise and vibration. A simple clean sorts it out. (To isolate noise in a busy case with several possible sources, just put a finger to stop a fan, or a carefully positioned screwdriver handle if you're not brave)

- If it's always been noisy or that doesn't sort it: Change the fan for a quieter model. IIRC the micro has a passive heatsink so it's only the case fan and hdds that make any noise, so a nice same-sized replacement with slightly less aggressive blades will help - and probably not make much real-world difference to temps.Â Although HP's microserver is designed with a passing consideration to noise, it's still a server and also designed down to a price.Â

Loft:

- I like putting servers in lofts. It can be a good solution, but lack of power is obviously an issue. I ran an extension lead up through some fitted wardrobes, through the ceiling to do mine. WFM and I can power cycle if I want to be brutal about it from downstairs.

- Are you sure there's no power? It's not uncommon for lofts to have a socket somewhere to power a TV Booster or mast head amplifier.

- Not strongly recommended; Make an adapter for the light switch socket to power a 13a socket. But this is both tricky to do and unsafe, as you can't guarantee somebody won't put a 13a load on the socket and melt wiring. Better to get a proper feed in.Â

- On balance this is probably not a solution for you unless you have a socket up there.

On 2 June 2015 at 14:22, Dan Smith <dan@xxxxxxxxxx> wrote:

Martin, the loft does have a light switch up there however I'm not too sure about splicing it as it would be a job for my Dad and he initially installed the light switch in the first place.

Thankfully I use powerline ethernet for all my ethernet uses so networking shouldn't be a problem as long as there is a double socket around!

Dan

On Tue, Jun 2, 2015 at 1:26 PM, Martin Gautier <martin.gautier@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:

On 02/06/15 13:12, Dan Smith wrote:

Good afternoon folks,

I have had a HP ProLiant MicroServer N54L for over a year now and I have it sat in my bedroom whirring away 24/7, unless it ever needs to be powered down for any maintenance.

The one thing that has started to get irritating is how noisy the fan that comes with the server can be, you maybe thinking "Why not just move it out of your bedroom what is it doing even sat in there in the first place?"

The answer to that is there is nowhere else suitable to put it in the house, the loft has no sockets sadly so it cant be moved up there, nor the under stairs cupboard.Â

I was thinking of changing the fan but it is HP proprietary stuff, anyone have any ideas/solutions? I know the fan can be changed with a little bit of butchering the cables.

Regards

Dan

Dan

Does the loft have a light switch? My server is in the loft after I spliced in a power switch off the light circuit. It's been running up the for 10 years+.

Fortunately, I've been able to run my router and firewall up there too with a couple of cables dropping down into the office where the phone line and ethernet switch is.

Martin

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