12 Bay NAS Case Project

[HALLAMNET]

Afternoon All. My first post on the forums after being a YT subscriber for about a year now and wondered if anyone can help me with the below: -

I just want to find out if anyone has had any experience with the following 12 bay NAS enclosure I have found on Ali Express: -

12 Bay NAS Case
YouTube link to previous version - The link to the NAS above is the newer version to have better internal structure support and power button revamp. Also, better air flow drive cages. But this YT Video gives an overview of most of the current features from what I can work out and is the only video I can find on the Case.

I have seen this and love the look of it and the fact that I can get a good sized mainboard fitted m-ATX/ATX to provide needed expansion for HBA controller card, LAN Nic and in the future, a graphics card for encoding. Also, has great cooling for the HDD's and mainboard/CPU.

My plan is to setup unRaid for the Main OS mirrored using 2 NVME's on the mainboard and have a small army of docker containers running for various services I currently run from a Synology 1515+ and Small Lenovo M80Q (i5-10600T/32GB RAM) PC that is also doing my plex transcoding. I would then be using 16TB or 18TB drives for my storage pool.

At present the 1515+ is my main NAS and I have an older 412+ as a backup. As these are now quite old and looking to build myself a custom setup to meet my needs and the above case seems to me the best option for future expansion.

I am in the UK and know it will cost a fair bit on shipping and import taxes but open to suggestions on any other cases that will meet at least m-ATX spec, minimum 8bay drive setup and have good cooling for the HDD's.

Thanks,

Hal

 

[Tech Junky]

If you do a search for Nas case on your local retailers there should be some options. There really isn't much to them other than the backplanes being prewired. If you want something that can hold a ton of drives look at the FD Meshify series. The Meshify 2 holds 13*3.5 on an internal rack.

 

[rtech]

When was the last time you saw low profile GPU?
In my opinion just get tower with required amount of 3.5 disk bays prefer those which have these bays included otherwise you will have shell like 20€ for 2 disk bay each.

This one has 8x hot-swap bays and is from UK

In-Win IW-MS08 - Mini Tower Server Case w/ 8x Hot-Swap Bays (12Gbps MiniSAS HD Connection) - Server Case

www.servercase.co.uk

Or you can browse geizhals with custom filters

Gehäuse PC-Gehäuse mit 3.5" intern+extern max. ab (Lieferumfang): ab 12x Preisvergleich Geizhals EU

Preisvergleich und Bewertungen für Gehäuse PC-Gehäuse mit 3.5" intern+extern max. ab (Lieferumfang): ab 12x

geizhals.eu

All these cases i suspect will be pretty cheap construction wise. Nothing like cases from 2000s which were made from 1mm steel plates so... post what exactly you wish to accomplish. Do you need hotswap? Do you want to have rack?

 

[Chriggel]

This doesn't look half bad, but it really just is a tower case flipped on its side. There are many other products available that allow for similar builds without the price tag.

 

[HALLAMNET]

Thanks @Tech Junky for the reply and recommendation on the case. They do look good but would like to try and stay for a desktop form factor like the Synology I already have and also the one I have posted a link to but if I have to change I may do.

@rtech Thanks for the recommendation on the case and really do like it. But again would like to try and stay with the desktop form factor but if something does come up that meets my needs and will be cheaper and quick to obtain then I could possibly be swayed.

This is not going to be a gaming system or work station, It is going to be used as custom NAS solution to replace my aging Synology 1515+. I have seen demos of unRaid and from what I have seen, do like the system and would like to migrate to this eventually.

These are some of the main tasks the system will be used for: -

• Mainly NAS system for storage of personal data including Photos, Movies, music
• Plex media transcoder to supply local devices in my home
• Docker server for my many docker containers ranging from home automation and weather to network morning utilities
• CCTV storage target for only a few IP Cams

As I will be selecting unRaid for my main OS, from what I have researched, I will need for sure following first 2 points: -

• unbuffered ecc RAM to help combat data corruption
• mainboard to support ecc ram along with form factor case
• CPU is still under debate but liking: - Intel 12700
• HBA controller card in IT mode to pass the drives direct to the OS
• 2/4 port nic similar to: - Nic Link
• Low profile graphics card for transcoding only: - Low profile graphics card
• Hot swap would be nice but not essential.

Low profile gpu's do exist but depending on the CPU I go for, depends if I have a need for one but want to plan ahead for the future and make sure I have enough slots to populate so I don't have to rip it all apart in the future.

Still open for suggestions on cases and as I say, may be swayed depending what I am introduced to.

Thanks,

Hal

 

[Tech Junky]

Cases work fine on their side.

For Plex I use a cheap sparkle GPU a380 and it's pretty compact and handles things well.

If you plan on growing or tinkering AMD is more cost effective. Besides that you don't have to deal with the P/E cores Intel presents.

If you're going to run Linux anyway you could just use mdadm built into the OS. You don't need ecc unless it makes you feel good inside. I used raid 10 for years before switching to SSD storage and never had an issue unless I caused it.

It's all about planning though and finding the right options before you dive in. Consider overall capacity and size the drives to that. For speed on the network it comes down to convenience in moving data or working live from the server.

 

[Chriggel]

I guess it's not just the desktop format you like, but also the low depth of just 320mm because it's a stacked dual chamber design? If you're not limited by depth, you could indeed use almost any tower and flip it.

ECC RAM is never a bad idea. Unbuffered or buffered depends on the platform, but with a desktop class CPU, it has to be unbuffered indeed. It's possible with an Intel system, but I'd also suggest going AMD for this. Ryzen CPUs support ECC on desktop mainboards, for Intel you need to buy a board with a W680 chipset, which limits your choices significantly. It's also very expensive.

HBA in IT mode is the standard for most software raid solutions, most prominently ZFS. If you want to do anything like that, then this is the right choice.

The NIC is interesting, what it Kalea Informatique? If 2.5G is what you need and this is legit hardware, go for it. Not sure why you'd need 2/4 ports though. If that's your plan, don't do link aggregation with low speed NICs. Looking at the price of this part, 10G NICs would be cheaper.

 

[mrpasc]

If you are good with 8 hot-swap bays (+ some internal mounted 2.5“ if needed) and mATX:
Silverstonetek CS381 or CS382 would be my recommendation.
CS381 has almost same form factor like your Ali enclosure (with same caveats like only low profile PCIE ports and kinda meeeh airflow), CS382 was designed with „form follows function“, looks kinda boring but is very well engineered (in fact best NAS case made ever by Silverstone).

 

[HALLAMNET]

Thanks for the reply @Chriggel.

Space is not an issue with the case case size but the current location of my Synology is quite convenient and dont really want to move it but if push cam to shove, it can be relocated.

AMD has been on the cards and not ruled it out.

The nic is just an example. I am still debating what nic to go with and with all of my main devices having the ability to use 2.5gb, Looking to upgrade my current switch to a 2.5gb capable switch.

 

[HALLAMNET]

@mrpasc Thanks for the case recommendations. I have not seen the CS381 and could be a contender. I had seen the CS382 and is a contender (many reviews for this on YT) but just liked the layout better of the ALi express case but the silverstone line would totally work for what I need.

Thanks once again,

Hal

 

[Chriggel]

Oh, if you're upgrading to 2.5G, then you could just use a board that comes with 2.5G onboard. You don't need a separate NIC.

For the case, only you can decide where to put it and which layout you like the best. The case from Ali is already not cheap and you said it's going to be even more expensive for you, after shipping and import taxes. The message here is just that cheaper solutions, that are still comparable, do exist if you need them. You need to decide which features are important for you and how much are you willing to pay for them.

I'm 95% through building a 16-disk NAS in a Meshify 2 XL. The case is 200 EUR + 75 EUR for the additional HDD trays. If I wanted 12 bays, I'd have chosen the non-XL, making the system slightly cheaper and smaller. But that's just me.

 

[mattventura]

There are some low profile GPUs. These cases generally aren't *bad* if you want something with that kind of drive density which is quieter than a rackmount and has a smaller footprint. Just keep in mind you're not going to get the bells and whistles like the high efficiency PSUs and managed backplanes. Surprisingly, this model actually has an option to have 4 of the bays be U.2 which is a lot more than you would normally get out of something like this (and is a hell of a lot cheaper than paying for a dock/bay converter for a 5.25" bay). It also means that you have a potential future upgrade path rather than dropping $250 on a dead-end case.

Others have already pointed out most of the important things. However, I'd question going for UnRAID over TrueNAS scale if you're buying new drives of equal capacity. UnRAID's whole shtick is that it can handle mismatched drive capacities better than anything ZFS-based can. If you're going to buy new drives, that sort of eliminates the main reason to go for UnRAID.

 

[seadog2441]

Thanks @Tech Junky for the reply and recommendation on the case. They do look good but would like to try and stay for a desktop form factor like the Synology I already have and also the one I have posted a link to but if I have to change I may do.

@rtech Thanks for the recommendation on the case and really do like it. But again would like to try and stay with the desktop form factor but if something does come up that meets my needs and will be cheaper and quick to obtain then I could possibly be swayed.

This is not going to be a gaming system or work station, It is going to be used as custom NAS solution to replace my aging Synology 1515+. I have seen demos of unRaid and from what I have seen, do like the system and would like to migrate to this eventually.

These are some of the main tasks the system will be used for: -

• Mainly NAS system for storage of personal data including Photos, Movies, music
• Plex media transcoder to supply local devices in my home
• Docker server for my many docker containers ranging from home automation and weather to network morning utilities
• CCTV storage target for only a few IP Cams

As I will be selecting unRaid for my main OS, from what I have researched, I will need for sure following first 2 points: -

• unbuffered ecc RAM to help combat data corruption
• mainboard to support ecc ram along with form factor case
• CPU is still under debate but liking: - Intel 12700
• HBA controller card in IT mode to pass the drives direct to the OS
• 2/4 port nic similar to: - Nic Link
• Low profile graphics card for transcoding only: - Low profile graphics card
• Hot swap would be nice but not essential.

Low profile gpu's do exist but depending on the CPU I go for, depends if I have a need for one but want to plan ahead for the future and make sure I have enough slots to populate so I don't have to rip it all apart in the future.

Still open for suggestions on cases and as I say, may be swayed depending what I am introduced to.

Thanks,

Hal

Got that exact case you are asking in the YT video so any questions fire away. I 'll try to answer the best I can. Something on top of my head.
Pro:
. The 12 bay Aliexpress case certainly is not cheap, got mine close to 200USD + shipping. Unlike majority of them, the case is well builded, internal structure is made from steel, quite thicker than average, I can lift a fully HDD equipped case by its frame post install.
. The enclosure is 1 piece curlly bended 3-4mm aluminium.
. USB 3 and USB C in front.
. Hotswap bay is u-shapped, easy to get in and out, even though they looked abit cheap for my liking.
. Good airflow as can see from video.
Cond:
. Using Flex PSU, possible have to mod or custom cable to get a long reach 4pin molex to power the backplane on the other side of the case (bckpl power by 3xmolex).
. Low profile PCI card only.
. Backplane got no expander, mine came with 3x 8087 SAS, so I ran 2 off them off HBA, 1 reverse cable to motherboard 4x Sata since any pci expander or 16i HBA I known of are fullsize only. (Depend on motherboard you got, there might be enough space on the board tray for 4x 2.5 Sata ssd mod, in that case, 2x HBA it is.)
That's it for now, will add more if I can remember something else.

 

[Karpo]

Wouldn't older Supermicro chassis with 12 or more bays be cheaper: Supermicro 2U Server 12 Caddy Bay 3.5 LFF E ATX Storage Chassis SAS2 6GBPS Rail | eBay

 

[rtech]

@Karpo
Thats is not silent though it can be to some degree silenced there is question if the drives would be properly cooled. And you will fighting lack of connections from PDB. Subjectively server case does look bad outside of rack if there are any requirements for looks.

 

[HALLAMNET]

Thanks for the reply people and sorry for the late replies. I did not get any notifications of new posts. But good to hear from @seadog2441 with regards the good points and the bad points. I have found they make a version of the case that will accept full height expansion cards as well and seller dependant, this can work out cheaper full height case.

With the placement of the server now, this could be floor standing and located in my garage or could keep to the desktop form factor and this located in it's original location. I have also been looking at the possibility of rack as I have space for a rack in the garage but this will be the only item as I already have a comms cabinet present on a wall in the garage.

I have found the following case and do like it and would be fit for purpose but still open to other ideas: - in-win

@mattventura With regards unRaid and TrueNAS. I see what you mean but have always been an adopter of Synology SHR and kinda liked the offering, but with starting off with larger drives all matched in size, TrueNAS could be an option.

I just want to replace my Synology setup as it is aging now and when DSM stops updates for old hardware, I am lacking in security updates and don't want to have to buy a New NAS every 5 years or so.

I am still open to suggestions really. Main needs to be covered are: - NAS storage, Docker server, Plex transcoding and some Windows VM's when needed just for testing.

 

[HALLAMNET]

Hey All.

Just thought I say that I have decided to go with this case in the end and should be with me mid June: - Case on Ali Express

I have bought a 1000w Seasonic Focus GX-1000 PSU for it and will be looking to purchase a board similar to this: - link to mainboard on scan.co.uk

I will be slowly adding drives to to this case but want to get a good HBA adapter that will support 18TB drives. I have seen the LSI 9300 cards and seen they run hot because of having 2 controller chips on the board as opposed to 1 but can find anywhere that states Seagate EXOS x18 18TB drives are supported.

Can anyone help me on this at all or advise on a good card if this will not be suitable?

Thanks,

Hal

 

[mrpasc]

LSI 9305-16i is the successor of the 9300-16i.
Runs cooler, consumes less power as it has only one chip instead of the two chips of the 9300-16i.
Stable drivers for almost all operating systems.

 

[Chriggel]

It's only the 9300-16i that uses two SAS3008 chips. Each SAS3008 uses 13W nominal, that's why it has a bigger heatsink and an additional power connector because 26W nominal and close to 40W worst case exceed the PCIe specification for x8 slots, which is 25W.

With the 9305-16i, they went back to a single chip design with one SAS3224 chip which puts it below 20W again. For this reason, and because the sellers know that this knowledge is out there, the 9305-16i is usually much more expensive than the 9300-16i.

The last time I needed more ports, I went for two 9300-8i because I had enough PCIe slots and wanted the flexibility. This is more expensive than one 9300-16i, but cheaper than one 9305-16i.

With a board like that, you probably need all the slots, so a 9300-16i would be the cheaper solution. Depending on your fan setup, you might need additional fans for the PCIe area. But you might need those anyway, 9300-8i and 9305-16i still need airflow. The 9305-16i would still be the more efficient solution, but more expensive.

All these controllers support 18 TB drives. I'm using the Inspur version with the SAS3008 chip, which is basically either a 9300-8i or a 9311-8i, I'm not 100% sure. The only difference between the two is the firmware they ship with, the 9300-8i uses IT (and IR is optional) and vice versa for the 9311-8i. Using Seagate 16 TB and Toshiba 18 TB drives on these controllers right now.

 

[HALLAMNET]

You legend @Chriggel thank you very much for your reply. I have searched for quite a while tonight and not found anything solid to say what controller supports large scale drives or found any forum posts to say people have had experience with these. I am quite new to the data storage sector of IT and have always relied on synology's to get me by so this is a bit of a learning curve for me. As long as I know the 9300 series will allow for 18 terabyte drives, I am happy with this but we'll still keep searching to see if I can find a 9305 card. The case has three SFF- 8643 connectors on the sas/SATA back pane so I will get a cable going direct from the controller to the back pane that will save a mess of wires internally. I just hope the back pane that the drives plug into will be a good quality back pane (lol) and not give me too many headaches from what I have read up about other cases.

I have however found a review on my case that somebody has posted a little while back now and here is the link to that review: - Review of JMCD 12S4 case. From what I can see I don't think calling will be a problem but I definitely will look at getting extra cooling for the 9300 card if I do decide to buy this.

I have also tonight pulled out my old HP microserver Gen. 8 and given unraid a bit of a test with a trial licence and I must say I do like the interface and the options built in including docker support and VM support.