Grading Checklist: Thermal Throttle - Fan Failure

A good response must include:

• Checked BMC sensor data (ipmitool sensor list) for fan RPM and CPU temperatures
• Identified the specific failed fan and its location in the server chassis
• Verified CPU throttling by checking current frequency vs. base frequency
• Assessed proximity to thermal shutdown threshold (typically 95-100C)
• Determined if the fan module is hot-swappable (most modern servers support this)
• Recommended reducing workload or migrating jobs before replacement if temps are critical
• Identified spare fan availability and ordered replacement if needed
• Checked remaining fans for increased RPM (compensation behavior)
• Considered physical inspection for dust, blanking panels, or airflow obstruction
• Proposed improved alert handling (the original fan alert was ignored for 2 days)
• Documented the fan failure for asset management and warranty tracking
• Recommended proactive thermal monitoring with escalation procedures