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I've set up VMware ESXi v3.5 on an HP Proliant DL380 G4, and I'd like a way to reduce the fan noise.

Under Health status, I see the following: ESXi screenshot

Is this normal? I've read about there being a Fan component as well.

Is there a firmware/BIOS update that would help?

I've found HP Management Agents for VMware ESX Server 3.x on the HP website, but it appears to not work for ESXi.

Do I have to buy ESX? (Where/how/$?) If I enable ssh, can I install the agent? How?

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Why the downvote? –  Alex L May 26 '12 at 20:43
Probably because fans are loud in servers. It should be in a server room with proper environmental controls and the noise shouldn't matter. –  MDMarra May 26 '12 at 21:16
@MDMarra It's probably not good for fans to be running 24/7 at 100% capacity - I'd like some way to be able to monitor/control them. –  Alex L May 27 '12 at 13:36
Why isn't that good? Unlike desktops, servers are specc'd for 24x7 continuous operation. I'd be wary of manually touching anything related to fan speed on a server. –  MDMarra May 27 '12 at 13:42
@MDMarra I thought that they should be controlled by the HP Agents, not just on 100% all the time. (And that it isn't great for their life span, if the temperature is OK then they can run at 10% instead?) –  Alex L May 27 '12 at 14:24

1 Answer 1

up vote 8 down vote accepted

You don't have any options for ESXi 3.5. The fan control on that model is managed via the HP Management Agents, but those are not available for ESXi 3.5.

ESXi versions 4 and 5 have agents available as add-ons or with HP's specific ESXi builds.

It's an old server, though. If this is a new installation, please use one of the current builds of VMWare. ESXi 4 will work on that machine.

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VMware did make an HP-specific build of ESXi 3.5 available at one time (3.5U2, I believe), but it's no longer available for download. –  James Sneeringer May 26 '12 at 22:09
Right, but there's no reason to use 3.5 (versus 4.x) it if this is a new install. I'm assuming it's a new install because the surprise at the fan speed/noise. –  ewwhite May 26 '12 at 22:16
Agreed on both counts. If ESXi 4 runs on a G4-class system, there's no reason to stick with 3.5. –  James Sneeringer May 26 '12 at 22:18
The VMWare compatibility list says that 3.5 U5 is the latest compatible release. I'd also like the use ESX on a DL360 G4p, and I'd like to keep my versions consistent. Why do you think it will work? –  Alex L May 27 '12 at 13:35
4.1 works on G4 systems. –  ewwhite May 27 '12 at 14:04

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