WD Sentinel RX4100 - Thoughts

[Patrick]

Recently I picked up a 1U WD Sentinel RX4100 with 4x 4TB WD Se drives. The server itself seems to be based on an Intel Atom D525 with 4GB RAM and has a Windows Storage Server 2008 R2 sticker attached.

Despite the fact that the box is large, it only houses 4x 4TB drives and dual 1GbE ethernet. I had a look inside and there is a single 4GB SODIMM and no PCIe expansion slots. Lots of non-standard form factors involved.

Here is the question: what should I do with the box?

• Option 1: Use it as a backup server in Fremont or Sunnyvale just to hold images for a PXE boot server.
• Option 2: Use the drives elsewhere. Sell the chassis.
• Option 3: Sell the whole thing.

On Option 1 - I do have "enough" backup capacity but I am not sure I want to use Windows Storage Server versus something like FreeNAS. I also somewhat want to have 10Gb networking everywhere now.

Thoughts appreciated. If someone wants a look inside, happy to take and post pics.

 

[cthulolz]

I found some pictures of the inside, and if I was looking at the correct model, there's a ton of empty space in that unit. That said, I'll toss my off-the-wall suggestion in the ring. Configure it as an iSCSI target. Then, retrofit a small switch and several NUC boards into the free space. BOOM, low(ish) power 1u compute + storage box.

 

[Patrick]

I found some pictures of the inside, and if I was looking at the correct model, there's a ton of empty space in that unit. That said, I'll toss my off-the-wall suggestion in the ring. Configure it as an iSCSI target. Then, retrofit a small switch and several NUC boards into the free space. BOOM, low(ish) power 1u compute + storage box.

There is a lot of room, and easily enough for a few NUCs. Great idea. Power is, well interesting to say the least. Not really sure if I have a use for a small cluster like this right now.

 

[archangel.dmitry]

Keep the drives, get rid of the chassis. If the drives don't have retail warranty, get rid of them too.

 

[JeffroMart]

Get rid of the whole thing, sounds like junk

 

[Patrick]

Get rid of the whole thing, sounds like junk

Thinking about this rather strongly now.

 

[cperalt1]

Thinking about this rather strongly now.

Just add it to your FS thread as is.

 

[Patrick]

Just add it to your FS thread as is.

I think the drives may be worth more than the server.

 

[andrewbedia]

Get rid of the whole thing, sounds like junk

Absolutely agree.

Most of these chassis that are similar in form and fit are garbage, at least in my opinion. A lot of money spent for not a lot of return. Last time I used something like this was a 1U Lacie... thing... that had 4x500GB drives in it. It was extremely slow and extremely expensive.

 

[Naeblis]

Sell HDDs & Donate the Chassis to the local HS computer club for the tax write off

 

[TType85]

If it performs anything like the Sentinel DX4000 (atom based, 4 drive, small box). Trash it. I have one of these sitting around, it has USB3 but copying off of it would cause it to slow to a crawl or even crash. I pulled the drives and put it in the recycle pile.

 

[Diavuno]

Patrick,

If you decided to junk it, you can toss it in the back of my truck. heck I'll even send you home with the best pie in CA.
(behind central right?)

 

[dstanding]

A bit late to the party here, but it looks like the unit is a modified AIC RSC-1DH. The chassis is design with an EATX board in mind...maybe there's some way of converting it?

 

[Pri]

I'd use the drives elsewhere and sell the rest.