How do these handle dust. I'm assuming they're not fanless, so do they just have super-oversized cooling to handle the extra insulation; or are they gambling on customers remembering to clean filters regularly?
A machine like this is typically in a special server room, which is extremely cool and clean. This has been done this way for decades - I remember working in IBM Mainframe center in late 80's and you need a coat.
This is not just Intel, AMD EPYC servers have fans also - also just like my Supermicro Xeon workstation from 10 years ago - they have redundant fans and redundant powersupples
Intel's does have 16 Core C3958 which I believe is fan less - but like the power of this server
This machine has option filters - and appears they have extensive support system - I would think just like the fans and power supply that the filters will be plug and play
That cold? My last job in a DC our cold aisle temps were 68-72 degrees Fahrenheit. I just wore jeans and a Columbia zip up and was fine.....step into a hot aisle for an extended period and I took it off since it was usually in the 80's.
HStewart, does "designed to work in harsh environments of industrial sites or even conflict zones" suggest a clean room environment? You don't need a rugged server in a normal datacenter.
If your server is being uses in a 'dirty' environment, then cleaning/replacing the filter(s) needs to be a preventive maintenance task. Most rack servers are setup to suck air in the from and toss it out the back. I can't tell from the pictures in the article, but it wouldn't surprise me if the face plate contains an air filter.
Being someone that has worked in dusty environments for years and one of the exact situations these servers target -- you have to remember to clean them. Honestly, though, I've tore down some setups with equipment that has been running for years without issue. Moving them from one location to another to wipe them, a lot of dust is loosened and booting back up it looks cartoonish the dust cloud that shoots out.
This equipment generally isn't shut off intentionally once put into production, but I've not seen an issue yet where the dust has caused problems, despite knowing it's drilled into your head how important it is to clean it. Outside is dusted, inside is generally left alone unless something occurs and it's offline.
The moment a Dell server reaches a certain age... Dell could really do with an option to remove the stupid firmware white list that excludes a PAYING customer using hard drives that are not from Dell.
The restriction is ridiculous (but I do understand why they have to do this).
Plus the prices of their hard drive options is mind blowing.
That only happened with the h700 and they released a firmware update about a month after product release reversing the requirement. You also have always had the option to flash vanilla lsi firmware if you didn't like the dell version.
I have really never experienced this in a regular Dell server. EMC storage devices, on the other hand... you better use an EMC disk, or you're going to have a bad time.
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DanNeely - Wednesday, December 6, 2017 - link
How do these handle dust. I'm assuming they're not fanless, so do they just have super-oversized cooling to handle the extra insulation; or are they gambling on customers remembering to clean filters regularly?HStewart - Wednesday, December 6, 2017 - link
A machine like this is typically in a special server room, which is extremely cool and clean. This has been done this way for decades - I remember working in IBM Mainframe center in late 80's and you need a coat.This is not just Intel, AMD EPYC servers have fans also - also just like my Supermicro Xeon workstation from 10 years ago - they have redundant fans and redundant powersupples
Intel's does have 16 Core C3958 which I believe is fan less - but like the power of this server
DanNeely - Wednesday, December 6, 2017 - link
These are rough service/industrial models intended for use outside of the nice data centers normal servers live in.HStewart - Wednesday, December 6, 2017 - link
This machine has option filters - and appears they have extensive support system - I would think just like the fans and power supply that the filters will be plug and playhttps://www.anandtech.com/Gallery/Album/6011#6
there likely a manual some where that has information on how deal with filters
Notmyusualid - Thursday, December 7, 2017 - link
@ HStewart*Only* a coat? Welcome to my world. I've had hat, coat, and scarf on from 10am this morning to 8pm this evening.
Its odd going outside to get warm.
Never-mind the fan noise...
Holliday75 - Thursday, December 7, 2017 - link
That cold? My last job in a DC our cold aisle temps were 68-72 degrees Fahrenheit. I just wore jeans and a Columbia zip up and was fine.....step into a hot aisle for an extended period and I took it off since it was usually in the 80's.ddrіver - Friday, December 8, 2017 - link
HStewart, does "designed to work in harsh environments of industrial sites or even conflict zones" suggest a clean room environment? You don't need a rugged server in a normal datacenter.ilt24 - Wednesday, December 6, 2017 - link
If your server is being uses in a 'dirty' environment, then cleaning/replacing the filter(s) needs to be a preventive maintenance task. Most rack servers are setup to suck air in the from and toss it out the back. I can't tell from the pictures in the article, but it wouldn't surprise me if the face plate contains an air filter.Jorsher - Tuesday, December 12, 2017 - link
Being someone that has worked in dusty environments for years and one of the exact situations these servers target -- you have to remember to clean them. Honestly, though, I've tore down some setups with equipment that has been running for years without issue. Moving them from one location to another to wipe them, a lot of dust is loosened and booting back up it looks cartoonish the dust cloud that shoots out.This equipment generally isn't shut off intentionally once put into production, but I've not seen an issue yet where the dust has caused problems, despite knowing it's drilled into your head how important it is to clean it. Outside is dusted, inside is generally left alone unless something occurs and it's offline.
damianrobertjones - Wednesday, December 6, 2017 - link
The moment a Dell server reaches a certain age... Dell could really do with an option to remove the stupid firmware white list that excludes a PAYING customer using hard drives that are not from Dell.The restriction is ridiculous (but I do understand why they have to do this).
Plus the prices of their hard drive options is mind blowing.
Kraszmyl - Wednesday, December 6, 2017 - link
That only happened with the h700 and they released a firmware update about a month after product release reversing the requirement. You also have always had the option to flash vanilla lsi firmware if you didn't like the dell version.Notmyusualid - Thursday, December 7, 2017 - link
@ KraszmylThanks for the response - he 'threw me for a six' there also...
piroroadkill - Thursday, December 7, 2017 - link
I have really never experienced this in a regular Dell server. EMC storage devices, on the other hand... you better use an EMC disk, or you're going to have a bad time.