Router/Switch heat issues

[ugh]

Hi folks,

I've just bought myself a router/switch combo (D-Link, can't remember the model) for net connection sharing (mentioned this in my other thread). One question, I was shocked how hot the unit was when I touched the top of the unit. I can still touch it using my bare hands, but I'm worried coz I'm not sure what the normal operating temp this type of equipment operates at (haven't owned any routers/switches b4 {g}). Is it supposed to be that hot? I'd say it's around 45-50 degrees Celcius. Any cause for worries?

TIA.

 

[Doh!]

I wouldn't worry too much about it. My D-Link is fairly warm (it's definitely warmer than a body temp. so I would guess it's around 40~45 degrees) since it's on 24 hrs/day, 7 days/week. It doesn't have an internal fan but has just holes on the top to release heat (I have a couple of switches that had internal fans but they were noisy). It's been running fine for the past 8 months.

 

[ugh]

Phew... I guess my unit doesn't need active cooling But my concern is that the temp in my room will be quite high in the afternoon (me being near the equator) and it could reach around 35 degrees celcius. Any worries there?

 

[cmetz]

The chip used by many SOHO routers including the DI-604 (that what you have?) is known to run a little hot, and the manufacturers don't put good heat sinks inside.

As long as the chip itself stays below about 90C you should be okay. If it's anywhere near that, given the metal cases D-Link uses, you'll know it! Even with 35C ambient, it shouldn't be a huge deal. You will likely experience some visibly odd behavior (corrupted packets, etc.) as you near the point where the chip's not happy with the temperature.

I know that some SOHO router users have just taken the PCB out of the case and let it air cool, that does often seem to help chip temps because the SOHO routers' cases have effectively no airflow. But that seems a bit much to do unless you have a problem.

 

[ugh]

I have the DI-704P. Just remembered the model number 90C? That's like the threshold of a normal CPU; and that sounds really good to me. Now I know the other components that contribute to heat in a server room Thanks for the info BTW