XGS87W Fan noise - Console Commands and fan change possible?

RE: XGS87W Fan noise - Console Commands and fan change possible?

Wayne Folta — Tue, 12 Apr 2022 21:27:40 GMT

On early XGS' there was a BIOS update that they can walk you through on the phone. I tried it and while it modified things, my unit had a whine which was actually the problem. When the fan is installed well, it's just white noise and not bad at all. (Unless you have it sitting on your desk in front of you a few feet away and you're really sensitive to white noise, I guess.) You can submit a ticket and the first thing they will probably walk you through is to check the BIOS version. If it's an early version, they can send you and walk you through installing the latest BIOS, which if it fixes the problem is probably the least disruptive to you.

If there's a high-pitched whine that's really annoying, though, that would probably require an RMA. My theory is that the fan is sometimes over-tightened when installed and so the gaskets don't isolate the fan from the chassis and a resonant whine can result. You can hear it in the next room.

If it's just having a device with a fan on your desk a few feet in front of you, that really can't be fixed. The older XG models had only an Intel chip, so the low-end didn't need a fan, but the XGS has the Intel and also a network ASIC device and needs a fan to keep cool. (Though of course, doing significantly more throughput with more capabilities enabled.)

RE: XGS87W Fan noise - Console Commands and fan change possible?

LHerzog — Tue, 12 Apr 2022 09:01:20 GMT

there is a BIOS update probably available only from tech support, or RMA the machine and ask for the new, noise-fixed hardware appliance.

https://community.sophos.com/sophos-xg-firewall/f/discussions/128176/noise-level---xgs-107

RE: XGS87W Fan noise - Console Commands and fan change possible?

Wayne Folta — Mon, 11 Apr 2022 15:12:20 GMT

Is it just white noise from the fan? If so, it is what it is. It will never be "quiet" if placed on the desk next to your mother. Mine is near floor-level and about 6 feet away (and behind me) and is not a problem.

If it's a high-pitched whining, that was a problem with early XGS-87's. I had one and they RMA's (replaced) it.

RE: XGS87W Fan noise - Console Commands and fan change possible?

rfcat_vk — Mon, 11 Apr 2022 12:12:01 GMT

Hi,

try creating support case for an RMA.

ian