I'm working in a small nonprofit where our 48-port switch is located right in my office, and the noise is becoming unbearable. It's around 60 decibels close to the switch and about 50 when I try to cover it up. For context, 60 decibels is similar to the sound of a dishwasher or an air conditioner. My predecessor said that the switch was much quieter before I got here, and I'm having trouble focusing because of the sound, especially since I have ADHD. Our IT guy, who's in his late 70s, doesn't seem eager to address the issue. I'm looking for any suggestions on how to reduce the switch's noise, which is an Extreme Networks Summit X460-48p. Is there anything practical I can do?
5 Answers
I did a bit of digging and found that the fan speed is tied to temperature, so one workaround could be to ensure the switch stays cooler. If it’s cooled properly, the fans may not run as fast. But a more straightforward fix would be to get something like earplugs—sometimes, you just have to adapt a bit!
You might want to consider a fanless switch, like the one I found online for around $600, which could drastically reduce the noise in your office. Just make sure it has similar capabilities to your current switch before making a switch (pun intended)!
For immediate relief, transparent earplugs might be a good option—they reduce sound levels without making it feel muffled. It's all about finding a balance until you can either manage to replace or relocate that switch!
If you can, placing the switch inside a cabinet or a rack might help tone down the noise. This might also help with heat management if you're in a constrained space. Alternatively, it could be time to lobby for a new unit. It sounds like your company's tech might be in need of an upgrade anyway!
Since those switches are generally noisy due to their design, covering it might not help much because it could lead to overheating. You might want to look into soundproofing materials for your office or even consider external cooling methods to manage fan speeds. But honestly, pushing for a quieter switch seems like the best long-term solution here!
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