Netapp DS4243 Disk Array Shelf @ $90 shipped

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andrewbedia

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Jan 11, 2013
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The guy has sold over a hundred of them. Old listing here: NetApp DS4246 Disk Array Shelf W/ 24x SAS Trays 2x IOM6 SAS Expansion Array | eBay

These are noticeably quieter than all of the DAS units I've used before (StorageWorks MSA60/D2600, Rackable Systems SE3016).

The trick is to replace the controllers with a pair of HB-SBB2-E601-COMP. Advantages are 6gbps SAS and normal SFF-8088 connections. It's a direct fit replacement for the NetApp controllers that use QSFP for the SAS connections (why?)

This may not be the case for more recent shipments; however, when I bought mine from them a couple weeks ago, shipping was $26 and it was quite literally pulled from the rack with cables still attached and tossed in a box. Zero padding whatsoever from this seller. Had to unbend a couple bits, but it was okay.
 

SPCRich

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Mar 16, 2017
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these look like just JBODs, can they be used without a netapp filer? AFAIK, they also require netapp specific disks?
 

andrewbedia

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Jan 11, 2013
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these look like just JBODs, can they be used without a netapp filer? AFAIK, they also require netapp specific disks?
may be beneficial to read my post right before yours. works like a normal DAS with replacement controllers from DELL
 
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james23

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Nov 18, 2014
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does anyone have power usage info on just the shelf? (ie wo any disks) trying to compare vs a normal SM 16 or 24 bay chasis or jbod chasis with SQ psus (as a disk shelf). someone saying they are quiet does bode well maybe for power usage of the shelf itself. thanks
 

SPCRich

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Mar 16, 2017
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may be beneficial to read my post right before yours. works like a normal DAS with replacement controllers from DELL

I think we commented the same time, when I started writing my comment there was only the main post :)
 

gregsachs

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Aug 14, 2018
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may be beneficial to read my post right before yours. works like a normal DAS with replacement controllers from DELL
At least the ds2446 I have with netapp controllers works just fine as a jbod shelf. I'd balance the cost of different controllers vs the cost of the sff-8088/qsfp cables you need for the netapp stuff. qsfp-qsfp cables aren't too bad,.
 

DanielWood

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Sep 14, 2018
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At least the ds2446 I have with netapp controllers works just fine as a jbod shelf. I'd balance the cost of different controllers vs the cost of the sff-8088/qsfp cables you need for the netapp stuff. qsfp-qsfp cables aren't too bad,.
The needed parts are reasonably priced these days:
- $33 - 10Gtek SFF-8644 to QSFP Cable 1Meter
- $50 - LSI 9206-16E (LP, Full heights go for $80)
- NETAPP QSFP Cables are about $10 each, less if you do BO with quantity

This route assumes you want to keep the IOM3/IOM6 and daisy chain multiple enclosures.

Otherwise, you can go a bit cheaper on the cables with SFF-8088 and the Dell HB-SBB2-E601-COMP controllers.
 
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hifijames

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Dec 26, 2017
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At least the ds2446 I have with netapp controllers works just fine as a jbod shelf. I'd balance the cost of different controllers vs the cost of the sff-8088/qsfp cables you need for the netapp stuff. qsfp-qsfp cables aren't too bad,.

Do you configure multipath?
 

gregsachs

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Aug 14, 2018
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Do you configure multipath?
I have not tried multipath. There was another person recently trying to do multipath with a 2446, but it was not clear if his HBA and/or windows 10 pro supported. I only have one sff-8088/qsfp cable so can't try.
 

azev

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Jan 18, 2013
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Windows 10 does not have support SAS multipath only windows server does. I've been wanting to setup sas multipath on my desktop running windows 10 and I cannot find any way to make it work.
 
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tjk

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Mar 3, 2013
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Are the hdd bays 3g or 6g and sas or sata?

I know the IOM3's are 3G SAS, just not sure what the drive connectivity is, meaning can I swap in IOM6 and have a full 6G path from HDD to HBA?
 

gregsachs

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Aug 14, 2018
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Are the hdd bays 3g or 6g and sas or sata?

I know the IOM3's are 3G SAS, just not sure what the drive connectivity is, meaning can I swap in IOM6 and have a full 6G path from HDD to HBA?
My understanding is thus:
1: pre-2008 or so they are 3g backplanes, post they are 6g officially.
2: From what I can tell the backplanes themselves are pretty dumb, all the SAS brains are in the IOM units.
See this:
https://www.snia.org/sites/default/...ons/monday/MarkHall_SBB_2_0_Spec_Overview.pdf
pages 15/16, each 54 pin connector is 6 drives. Same connector for Fiberchannel and SAS.
3: They are SAS, not SATA.
 

ebacho

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Feb 11, 2018
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does anyone have power usage info on just the shelf? (ie wo any disks) trying to compare vs a normal SM 16 or 24 bay chasis or jbod chasis with SQ psus (as a disk shelf). someone saying they are quiet does bode well maybe for power usage of the shelf itself. thanks
I get something like 110-120W with no disks and two power supplies plugged in for mine.
 

hifijames

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Dec 26, 2017
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Are the hdd bays 3g or 6g and sas or sata?

I know the IOM3's are 3G SAS, just not sure what the drive connectivity is, meaning can I swap in IOM6 and have a full 6G path from HDD to HBA?
You can swap in IOM6 and the shelf will become DS4246 under Netapp Ontap. I am not sure about PC environment though.
 

NaCl

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Dec 15, 2018
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Anyone tried white label WD drives in the 424(3|6) units? I have a bunch of the WD100EMAZ (10TB RED variants) that have the 3.3V pin 'issue'. Would be swell if the backplanes in these NetApp shelves didn't supply that.

Thanks!
 

NaCl

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Dec 15, 2018
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Still kicking myself for missing out on the whole "shucking 10TB White labels/Red's.

I don't know how I missed all those sales around black friday. Heck, I missed the sale Best Buy had like 2 weeks ago :(
There are a number of listings on eBay for new WD100EMAZ drives. These are what I pulled out of my BB acquisitions. The general range is $195-$200, which matches the BB Easystore deal of last week/week before. Still better than $329+ for the red label variant, but slightly less swell if you care about the extra bits (enclosure/supply/usb-sata iface board and the 32GB flash stick). Personally, that stuff isn't worth it. Shucking 4-5 drives here and there isn't so bad. Shucking 30+ drives after hooking them all up and waiting through some form of surface scan/test sucks.

It'll only be compounded if the backplanes in these NetApp shelves supply that pin.

Anyway, should get mine Wednesday. So I'll see then regardless.