SDDC-Manager is the central management tool in a vCloud Foundation (VCF) environment. You can add workload domains, import clusters to workload domains (WLD) or add Kubernetes namespaces. For every task there’s workflow in the GUI of SDDC-Manager.
Currently, as of version VCF 4.0.1, it is not possible to add a cluster with more than two uplinks and more than one vdSwitch to a WLD. If you try to do that in the GUI, you can only define one dvSwitch with two uplinks.
On August 12th 2020 VMUG Germany will host another virtual event in its bi-weekly series with Bjoern Brundert who is going to talk about VMware Cloud Native & Open Source Engagements.
Bjoern Brundert Principal Solution Engineer, Application Platforms, Office of the CTO, Global Field, VMware
In cooperation with several local German, Swiss and Austrian VMUG chapters we are hosting short and crisp bi-weekly virtual events.
One speaker, one topic, one hour.
Every second Wednesday from 17:00 to 18:00 CEST we’re presenting interesting talks about new developments, products and trends around the VMware ecosphere.
Preview to further events in this series
Wednesday, August 27th 2020 at 5 p.m. CEST – Developing modern applications with VMware Tanzu Build Portfolio (German language)
Speaker: Ulrich Hoelscher, Senior Platform Architect Modern Apps BU, VMware
Patch build 16324942 for ESXi 7.0 has been released on June 23rd 2020. It will raise ESXi 7.0 GA to ESXi 7.0b. As usual I’m patching my homelab systems ASAP. As all hosts are fully compliant with HCL, I chose a fully automated cluster remediation by vSphere Lifecycle Manager (vLCM).
The specs
Server
SuperMicro SYS-E300-9D-8CN8TP
BIOS
1.3
ESXi
7.0 GA build 15843807 (before) / 7.0b build 16324942 (after)
HCL compliant
yes
During host reboot I realized a temperature warning LED on the chassis. A look into IPMI revealed a critical CPU temperature state. Also the fans responsible for CPU airflow ran at maximum speed.
As you can see, system temperature was moderate and fans usually run at low to medium speed under these conditions. Air intake temperature was 25°C.
My ESXi nodes rebooted with the new build 16324942 and there were no errors in vLCM. But I could hear there’s somethin wrong. A fan running at speed over 8000 RPM will tell you there IS something to look after. Also the boot procedure took much longer than usual.
I quickly shut down the whole cluster in order to avoid a core meltdown.
Servers and switches are built for use in data centers where noise pollution is only a minor issue. The focus is on maximum performance and cooling. In the Homelab, however, things look different. Server rooms in private households are probably the exception and so most homelabs are located somewhere near the desk. A case fan with high speed can be very annoying.
For my vSAN cluster I use a Netgear XS716T 10 Gigabit switch. During system startup the fans rotate at maximum speed and then settle down a bit in normal mode. But even the lower noise level is still annoying.
We need new fans
As part of a handicraft experiment, I tried to get the noise problem under control and bought some Noctua fans which are popular in the homlab scene. The Netgear switch is equipped with two 40 mm fans. These will be replaced by two Noctua NF-A4x20 fans. A simple exchange would be somewhat unsatisfactory, though. There should be at least some kind of quantification (just a science habit).
In the picture below you can see the original fans of the Netgear 10G switch. The 16-port model is equipped with two fans while the 8-port model has just one.
Disclaimer No.1: Before removing the casing cover, the power supply must be disconnected!
Disclaimer No.2: Opening the casing may void your warranty.
