Dell Raid Hard Drive Errors due to FAN SPEED ?!?!

[Hayabusa1989]

So just got an email from Dell about the following 

 

Dell has discovered an issue where communication between the PowerEdge RAID controller and the iDrac does not request optimal fan speeds for certain hard drive models.

This could potentially result in excessive medium errors & hard drive failures.

Are they serious, i'm confused as to how fan speed would effect this considering that the fans are always at 100% and our powerdge servers like most are inside a room that's 17c ?

[Eniqmatic]

Believe it or not, there are different fan settings, they aren't just 100% all the time,  no matter how loud they may sound. You will discover this if your AC unit ever breaks and you have to go into that melting room!

 

Also, Dell cannot just assume that everyone has an AC room, they have to assume worst case scenario. I would say there is probably more to this than they are letting on, but I haven't seen this email...yet.

 

What model?

[manikyath]

i think by that they mean that sometimes it bugs out and makes the fan spin too slow, making stuff overheat. guessing in that instance you're either luckily unaffected or on the "faster than necessary" side of the sub-optimal fan speeds.

[Hayabusa1989]

Dell PowerEdge Server iDrac Fan Speed - Communication between the PowerEdge RAID controller and the iDrac does not request optimal fan speeds for certain hard drive models.

Dear Valued Dell Customer:

This email is part of Dell’s commitment to proactively notify customers of important updates relating to products purchased from Dell or a Dell authorized reseller. 

Dell has discovered an issue where communication between the PowerEdge RAID controller and the iDrac does not request optimal fan speeds for certain hard drive models. This could potentially result in excessive medium errors & hard drive failures.

whoops

Per below, to address the issue, we highly recommend applying an updated iDrac module firmware version 2.40.40.40 or later which is available on www.dell.com/support.

The new iDrac firmware version 2.40.40.40 can be downloaded from the following link: 

http://www.dell.com/support/home/us/en/19/Drivers/DriversDetails?driverId=2091K

 

Applying this updated iDrac firmware will correct the potential issue.

Please note the iDrac firmware update will require a system reboot to take effect.

If you need assistance regarding this issue please contact Dell Tech Support

 

is the full email. 

[Hayabusa1989]

6 minutes ago, Eniqmatic said:

I would say there is probably more to this than they are letting on, but I haven't seen this email...yet.

yeah that makes sense. 

[biotoxin]

17 minutes ago, Hayabusa1989 said:

So just got an email from Dell about the following 

 

Dell has discovered an issue where communication between the PowerEdge RAID controller and the iDrac does not request optimal fan speeds for certain hard drive models.

This could potentially result in excessive medium errors & hard drive failures.

Are they serious, i'm confused as to how fan speed would effect this considering that the fans are always at 100% and our powerdge servers like most are inside a room that's 17c ?

I've legit seen this on seagate st4000DM000-1F21 models, anything DM001 or higher should be fixed including DX and VN, it was panic in the room though as it was unexpected, either a drive fails in first 3 months or makes it to warranty, so if it dies mid life something else is usually terribly wrong

 

that said drive was actually fine post update to idrac

[Hayabusa1989]

okay its the PowerEdge R320, Just re-read and found a service tag

[biotoxin]

3 minutes ago, Hayabusa1989 said:

okay its the PowerEdge R320, Just re-read and found a service tag

I think all of our blades are r910's but I can't be sure where our idrac's come from, that's the ebay lottery for you sometimes.

but 16 blades fully equipped for under 6k is kind of a deal....