The ComputeBlades were designed to work 24/7. For high loads, it is therefore advisable to add active (forced) ventilation. Advanced Computing requires Advanced Cooling! An effective cooling solution could be the difference between your CM4's overheating and running at reduced performance (throttling), and a stable, reliable operation.
The Fan Units are designed to work seamlessly with up to two ComputeBlades each, providing a comprehensive cooling solution even in packed rack spaces. Both are simple to install and fully compatible with the ComputeBlade platform.
To interface with the ComputeBlades, the smart fan unit utilizes two separate UART interfaces, one for each blade. Furthermore, the fan unit is powered directly through the ComputeBlade, eliminating the need for any additional wiring.
The ComputeBlade is designed for deployment in enclosures, supporting configurations from a single pair in desktop enclosures to up to 10 pairs in a 19-inch 1U Rack BladeRunner rack-mounted chassis. Each pair is cooled using a specially designed Fan Unit equipped with a single 40x40x20mm fan.
The design of the Fan Units provides robustness and reliability: in the event of one ComputeBlade being disconnected or failing, the Fan Unit will continue to operate, maintaining effective cooling for the remaining blade.
The ComputeBlade has not been validated without the addition of the Fan Unit, BladeRunner, and Heat Sink. The ComputeBlade, compute modules, and other accessories shown in the images are shown for illustration purposes and sold separately.
Versions
Smart Fan Unit: Enhances your ComputeBlade setup by providing numerous functions, features, and the flexibility to customize the operating logic. It incorporates an additional Raspberry Pi, the RP2040, to expand the capabilities of your system. For example, using the Smart Fan Unit, you will add additional sensors into your cluster.
STA Fan Unit: A simplified version of the smart fan unit, featuring the same form factor and fan, but without the capability to execute or be controlled by custom applications. The STA fan unit is powered and controlled directly by the ComputeBlade, without the need for any additional wiring.
Model Overview
|
Smart Fan Unit |
STA Fan Unit |
| UART ComputeBlade Interface |
yes |
|
| PWM ComputeBlade Interface |
|
yes |
| Fan Unit Connector |
yes |
yes |
| PWM Fan |
yes |
yes |
| Raspberry Pi RP2040 |
yes |
|
| Reset Button |
yes |
|
| Boot Button |
yes |
|
| Programmable Button |
yes |
|
| ComputeBlade Status LEDs |
yes |
|
| Temperature Sensors |
yes |
|
| Smart Fan Unit |
| Compatibility |
ComputeBlade RC2, V1.0
ComputeBlade Enclosures |
| Storage |
16M-Bit Serial Flash Memory |
| ComputeBlade Interface |
UART - Fan Unit Connector |
| GPIO |
2 x UART (RP2040 - UART0, UART1)
Fan Unit Port
Boot Button
User Button
2 x Digital RGB LEDs (19-C47/RSGHBHC-5V01/2T)
1x LED to GPIO25 |
| Operating Voltage |
5V - Fan Unit Port (provided by ComputeBlade)
5V - USB-Type C Connector |
| Input Power (max.) |
0.5W |
| Airflow Control Unit |
EMC2101 |
| Temperature Monitoring Unit |
EMC2101 |
| Fan |
PWM Fan, 5V, 40x20mm (Noctua NF-A4x20 5V PWM) |
| Dimensions |
40 x 95 x 43.2 mm |
| STA Fan Unit |
| Compatibility |
ComputeBlade RC2, V1.0
ComputeBlade Enclosures |
| ComputeBlade Interface |
PWM ComputeBlade Interface |
| Operating Voltage |
5V - Fan Unit Port (provided by ComputeBlade) |
| Input Power (max.) |
0.5W |
| Fan |
PWM Fan, 5V, 40x20mm (Noctua NF-A4x20 5V PWM) |
| Dimensions |
40 x 95 x 43.2 mm |
Extended Specifications
FAQs
Q:
What is a ComputeBlade?
A:
The ComputeBlade, is an enterprise grade rack-mountable, PoE-powered carrier board for Raspberry Pi Compute Module 4, allowing you to create a blade server.
Q:
What is a blade server?
A:
A blade server is a compact, self-contained computer server, specifically designed to minimize the use of physical space and energy. Unlike traditional rack-mount servers, which are standalone servers that require individual components such as network and storage interfaces, blade servers are housed in a chassis that provides these resources collectively. This setup allows for a high density of servers, which can share power, cooling, networking, and storage facilities provided by the chassis.
Blade servers are particularly suitable for environments requiring high compute density without the need for a lot of individual storage, like web hosting, virtualization, and cloud computing services.
Q:
How does active ventilation enhance the performance of my ComputeBlade?
A:
Active ventilation is crucial when your ComputeBlade operates under high loads. By maintaining optimal temperatures with our Fan Unit, you ensure peak performance and longevity of your server components, preventing thermal throttling and potential hardware damage.
Q:
What makes the Smart Fan Unit a smart choice for my cooling needs?
A:
The Smart Fan Unit goes beyond basic cooling with its advanced RP2040 microcontroller. This allows for customizable operating logic, integration of additional sensors for detailed environmental monitoring, and precise temperature control, all contributing to smarter energy usage and improved server performance.
Q:
Can I control and monitor the Smart Fan Unit remotely?
A:
Yes, the Smart Fan Unit's smart features include remote monitoring and control capabilities. This allows you to fine-tune your cooling strategy from anywhere, ensuring that your ComputeBlade operates within the ideal temperature range at all times.
Q:
How does the STA Fan Unit differ from the Smart Fan Unit?
A:
While the STA Fan Unit shares the same high-quality fan and form factor as the Smart Fan Unit, it operates without the programmable microcontroller, making it a plug-and-play solution for those who prefer simplicity without the need for custom applications
Q:
Is the installation of the Fan Units complex?
A:
Not at all. Both the Smart and STA Fan Units are designed for seamless integration with the ComputeBlade enclosures, requiring no additional wiring or complicated setup. They are an easy-to-install, efficient solution to maintain the optimal operating temperature of your ComputeBlade.
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