buying/building a new server

[MvL]

Hi,

I'm want to build or buy a new server. I run Linux on this server to be precise ClearOS. I use this software since 2009 and i enjoy using it. I want a server with lot of storage. So i'm thinking of buying a chassis (rackmount) with 24 hot swappable bays and build it self or buy a sas/sata expander rackmount with a server. Are there any disadvantages using expander rackmounts. I really like to get some feedback. On the Clearfoundation forums is little knowledge about this stuff so i'm hoping to find some people who can help me.

Regards, Marcel

 

[gavin]

It's just a box, what kind of disadvantage you got on mind?

One thing I can think of is it takes a lot of space.
Second thing, it can be noisy.
Third thing, anything which can accommodate 24 HDDs is not cheap.

Wow it sounded like a terrible thing now. Go ahead, buy, share the build log with us. Enjoy!

 

[MvL]

Thanks for the reply Gavin.

You indeed let it sound as a horrible choice.

My server is located in my barn/garage. So it may take some space. Also noise is not a problem.

I'm interested in this expander chassis https://ri-vier.eu/external-4u-24-bay-6g-sassata-expander-rackmount-rvds24-p-310.html?cPath=1_40. You also can buy this chassis as a server chassis https://ri-vier.eu/rivier-4u-server-case-24-hotswap-2535disk-rv432403a-p-284.html?cPath=1_3_7. I'm not sure which way to go yet. Buying it as server chassis is a lot cheaper. Also so i'm not sure about the redundancy. Should i use hardware RAID or software RAID or something like snapRAID. The server will hold my music and blu-rays.

 

[poto]

Thanks for the reply Gavin.

You indeed let it sound as a horrible choice.

My server is located in my barn/garage. So it may take some space. Also noise is not a problem.

I'm interested in this expander chassis https://ri-vier.eu/external-4u-24-bay-6g-sassata-expander-rackmount-rvds24-p-310.html?cPath=1_40. You also can buy this chassis as a server chassis https://ri-vier.eu/rivier-4u-server-case-24-hotswap-2535disk-rv432403a-p-284.html?cPath=1_3_7. I'm not sure which way to go yet. Buying it as server chassis is a lot cheaper. Also so i'm not sure about the redundancy. Should i use hardware RAID or software RAID or something like snapRAID. The server will hold my music and blu-rays.

The least expensive option I have seen lately is the used Supermicro 24-bay server being sold by TAM solutions. There are numerous threads detailing various mods at:

Are You Looking For A Less Expensive Norco 4220 / 4224 Alternative? and...

24 bay servers from Tam Solutions back in stock - $299 / data center pulls

I mention this because you are looking at a Norco chassis, and the Supermicro 846 is built much sturdier. I have owned a Norco 4220 for 3 years and can vouch for the superior quality of the used chassis mentioned above - just set one up with no issues in a few hours (comes with everything except drives and OS). I will mention a few caveats, however: 1 - this has 7 high-speed fans and must be either modified for reduced sound or placed away from your living area. 2 - the HBA's included are a few years old, and may not support 3/4TB drives. I tested mine to make sure all ports worked, and pulled them in favor of raid controller. 3 - modifications to quiet the power supply are not "unplug and replace" type operations - some shop skills are required. 4 - last, the norco chassis has mini-sas connectors on the backplane, which simplifies cable management. The older supermicro chassis has sata connectors for each drive.

Good Luck!

 

[gavin]

Hardware: As poto's advised.
Software: Surely some kind of redundancy is needed but any half-decent O/S, filesystem can do that today so it's all about personal choice. Again, go with what you are comfy with, if you're a Windows person for example, that'd do. I would recommend FreeBSD, you could try with one of the USB stick editions if you can spare 20 mins or so. Try nas4free maybe.

 

[MvL]

Thanks for the feedback poto and gavin!

Not sure if i go software raid or hardware raid. I'm testing snapraid at the moment on my main server. I like the idea of one server do all jobs (power consumption). Also i like a modular approach that's why i'm interested in expander chassis. I already have tested mdadm on Linux. On thing i don't like about hard/soft raid that all drives have to spin-up to access your data. I like unraid's approach the only pitfall is speed... One of the benefits to choice for a expander chassis in my opinion is i always can go hardware raid in the future.

Lets say when i buy a expander chassis and i connect to my main server via sas/sata raid/hba card what's the speed of this setup. Cause you have to share 24 hdd over one SFF-8088 cable.