Troubleshoot System Cooling Issues
Maintaining the proper internal operating temperature of the server is crucial to the health of
the server. To prevent server shutdown and damage to components, you need to address
overtemperature and hardware-related issues as soon as they occur. If your server has a
temperature-related fault, use the information in the following table to troubleshoot the issue.
Table 2-2 Server Cooling Issues
Cooling
Issue
Description Action Prevention
External
Ambient
Temperature
Too High
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.
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.
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.
Airflow
Blockage
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.
Inspect the server front
and back panel vents for
blockage from dust or
debris. Inspect the
server interior for
improperly installed
components or cables
that can block the flow
of air through the
server.
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.
Cooling Areas
Compromised
The air baffle, 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.
Inspect the server
interior to ensure that
the air baffle is properly
installed. Ensure that all
external-facing slots
(storage drive, PCIe)
are occupied with either
a component or a
component filler panel.
Ensure that the server
top cover is in place and
sits flat and snug on top
of the server.
When servicing the
server, ensure that the
air baffle is installed
correctly and that the
server has no
unoccupied external-
facing slots. Never
operate the server
without the top cover
installed.
Chapter 2
Diagnosing Server Component Hardware Faults
2-7
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