MikroTik 10Gb Switch - Noctua Fan Mod

[@Ozz465]

"why? becouse i can and i cant leave things alone " same here .

[@edhgarhall9758]

same reason x2

[@amateurwizard]

I like the honest intro. There's pretty much no need for it, it's within specification. Good to see a properly done mod though.

[@AlexChepizhenko]

Some proper hot glue gut stuff here XD

[@alphabanks]

This was an amazing video. I've never been a fan of 10 gig over copper due to excessive heat. I'm just now getting ready to purchase some 10 gig switches. I plan to use DACs and pull fiber throughout the house.

[@Warning56kb]

Thank you for the kind words! A few of the connections close by have been replaced with DACs as well as the link between the 10Gb switch and the firewall. The extremely low latency of DACs is impressive.

[@JasonsLabVideos]

Good idea man !! Cool hardware is long lasting hardware.

[@Warning56kb]

Thank you, and definitely! I was a network admin on a nuclear submarine and had frequent first hand experience with failures when things get too toasty. So many components can have their life extended by reducing temps by just a few deg C. Will the transceivers ever fail regardless? Most likely not. Could they ever fail due to heat?... definitely not now!

[@de0xyrib0se]

You can also mod the top cover of the case, drill a hole in it for 2x80mm fans or if the size permits 1x120mm fan. Of course they would be outside (on top) so changes the layout, but they would pull a much bigger air flow. By the looks of it you might even be able to jam 2x80mm fans inside, below the cover, attached to it.

[@Warning56kb]

@@de0xyrib0se The goal was no permenant cutting and such.

[@tedoyle61]

Great project... I did enjoy the video. Got the same switch, just today!

[@Warning56kb]

Thank you! You'll love it. More than enough capability for a homelab by a large margin. The RJ45 path may not exactly be the most optimal, but with the SFP+ ports you have plenty of options. Haven't had a single real issue with it yet. Switching from RouterOS to SwitchOS was a little cumbersome... kept wanting to change to a non-default configuration, preventing easy access once the SwitchOS loaded. All sorted out in the end then upgraded to the latest firmware. Happy networking!

[@valicu2000]

I would also install some thermal pads under the PCB so to make contact with the case for more dissipation surface. Probably on the top the same thermal pads + aluminium radiators instead of those weak fans.

[@Warning56kb]

@@valicu2000 The only issue with the chassis is not having any airflow at all (just when loading it out with RJ45 modules). I initially thought about just adding heatsinks, but having active airflow always seems to work out to lower temps. That and thermal pads wouldn't make actual contact with the metal SFP+ module housing... it would require cutting/removing the plastic bits around it that transfer the activity/connectivity lights to the front displays for each port.

[@dcoxdon]

Only question I have is whether the heat produced messed with/melted the hot-glue. Seems like glue from a hot glue gun could get messy with how hot the cages get...

[@Warning56kb]

It doesn't. The fans keep the heat from sitting and heat soaking. Everything stays cool now. The plastic light guides never really got hot, just the metal SFP+ cages.

[@toxxie2810]

I zip tied a 120mm fan on top of my CRS305 for the same reason.. My 309 delivers this week and may steal your idea!

[@concadium]

Also works with the CRS510 (100GbE) btw :)

[@scooterjes]

When I first saw what you were doing I figured you were gonna hack a frame and mount the fans externally. I like that method better my only concern is is there enough holes in the case to let air in/out? Edit Commented before I watched the whole video nice mod. Be sure there is enough I have the Unifi Aggretiation Switch and it mentions something about the internal(or in your case external) power supply not having enough output to power to run all 8 even if you could cool them effectively as apparently the copper adapters pull more power.

[@Warning56kb]

Thank you! Honestly it will be new territory. Mikrotik only mentions running 4 due to the heat output with no mention of power limitations. The power adapter is a 22-24w unit and so far only pulled 8w with two transceivers. Haven't check the consuption with the four. Good call!

[@manofwar556]

@@Warning56kb CSS/CRS309-1G-8S+ -- 8x S+RJ10 are supported if PoE-in Voltage >30V. Up 4x S+RJ10 are supported when PoE-in Voltage = 24V. That is what the manual says.

[@Warning56kb]

@@manofwar556 That's true! This mod allows running more than 4 S+RJ10 modules due to the heat concern when not in a PoE configuration. wiki.mikrotik.com/wiki/S%2BRJ10_general_guidance

[@hit-757]

I had the same problem. Bought CRS312 instead. Your solution is much cheaper.

[@Warning56kb]

Its worked very well so far! 6x SFP+ RJ45 modules side by side for almost a year now with zero issues and cool temps.

[@hit-757]

@@Warning56kb Good to know. I still have two CRS309, but decided to not use RJ45 modules anymore due to high power consumption. DAC seems to be the winner here whenever you have a choice.

[@Warning56kb]

@@hit-757 Well said! Especially if routing through tight spaces isn't an issue, DAC is the way to go.

[@wildorb1209]

I have one of these switches and it's a problem! Especially depending on which rev. you have of the RJ10 modules...

[@snicoeofficial]

It may be more durable to use a fan 4-pin adapter with PCB and glue the pcb directly to the inner housing where all the wires can bypass the motherboard!

[@tinostarks]

how much additional power do the fan pull?

[@Warning56kb]

@@tinostarks Just 2.4W and 0.2A for all four.

[@nick9323]

your rack is almost empty, cut switch box and put heatsink above sfps instead of active coolers. Will consume a little more than 1u, but hey it's empty )

[@Warning56kb]

It's all in a different rack now along with some Poweredge servers. That was an old network switch cabinet.

[@jaylord55]

? why not just add a 12-5v adapter right to the power port pins and have it all enclosed in the case

[@Warning56kb]

You could. That would be next layer of investment. This doesn't involve modifying the board its self and was just basic fan adapters and extenders. That would make a good second video! Thank you!

[@drumaddict89]

janky

[@Warning56kb]

Works effectively and expands operational limits. Been in use for almost half a year now and has worked beautifully.

[@LenyegtelenEmail]

Is it silent?

[@Warning56kb]

Zero noise. Noctua fans in general, especially these, are known for making no noise.