Chapter 6: Advanced Chassis Setup

6-3

6-3 System Fans

Five 4-cm fans provide the cooling for the 6014P-8/6014P-8R/6014P-82R/
6014P-82. Each fan unit is actually made up of two fans joined back-to-
back, which rotate in opposite directions. This counter-rotating action gen-
erates exceptional airflow and works to dampen vibration levels. These
fans can adjust their speed according to the heat level sensed in the sys-
tem, which results in more efficient and quieter fan operation. Fan speed is
controlled by a setting in BIOS (see page 7-16). Each fan in a set has its
own separate tachometer.
It is very important that the chassis top cover is properly installed for the
airflow to circulate properly through the chassis and cool the components.

System Fan Failure

If a fan fails, the remaining fans will ramp up to full speed and the overheat/
fan fail LED on the control panel will turn on. Replace any failed fan at your
earliest convenience with the same type and model (the system can con-
tinue to run with a failed fan). Remove the top chassis cover (instructions
on p. 2-8) while the system is still running to determine which of the five
fan units has failed. Then power down the system before replacing a fan.
Removing the power cord(s) is also recommended as a safety precaution.

Replacing System Cooling Fans

1. Removing a fan
After turning off the power to the system, first remove the chassis cover
(refer to page 6-7) and unplug all the fan cables from the motherboard.
Grasp the rectangular housing that holds all the fan units and lift it out of
the chassis (see Figure 6-2). Push the failed fan out through the bottom of
the fan housing.
2. Installing a new fan
Replace the failed fan with an identical 4-cm, 12 volt fan (available from
Supermicro: p/n FAN-0079). Push the new fan into the vacant space in the
housing while making sure the arrows on the top of the fan (indicating air
direction) point in the same direction as the arrows on the other fans.
Reposition the fan housing back over the two mounting posts in the chas-
sis, then reconnect the fan wires to the same chassis fan headers you
removed them from. Power up the system and check that the fan is work-
ing properly and that the LED on the control panel has turned off. Finish by
replacing the chassis cover.