Build’s Name: freenas41.xxx.local
Operating System/ Storage Platform: Freenas 11.2-RELEASE
CPU: e3-1230
Motherboard: Tyan S5510GM3NR
Chassis: Corsair Carbide 300R 1st generation modified for 6 x 5.25” Bays
Drives:
Zpool Disk 3 x 4 Raid Z1 with log
8 x 600GB HGST Netapp X422 10K SAS HDD
4 x 600GB Toshiba AL13SEB600 10K SAS HDD
2 x 80GB intel DC3500 SATA SSD on 6Gbps SATA
Zpool SSD 6 x Mirror
12 x 400GB Hitachi HUSML4040ASS601 SAS SSD
RAM: 4x 8GB ecc udimm
Add-in Cards:
MCX354A-QCBT (649281-B21) flashed to a MCX354A-FCBT 40Gbe
Dell Perc H310 HBA flashed to LSI IT Mode
HP Sas Expander flashed to latest fw package
Power Supply: Corsair HX750
Other Bits:
6 x Icy Dock MB994SP-4S Hot Swap for 24 2.5” 15mm SAS hot swap bays
Corsair H60 AIO cooler
Corsair SP140 Blue Fans
Corsair SP120 Blue Fans
fan extension cable
6 x SFF8087-SATA cables
2 x SFF-8087 to SFF-8087 cables
5.25” 4 bay drive cage cut from 1999 ATX (V1) Lab system case
JB Weld Black to build the lower cross brace fascia
Incept Date: 11/2018 Updated 3/2019
Usage Profile: Provides 10Gbe NFS storage to my esxi systems via storage vlan. This system replaces a Synology DS1010+ with DX510 that was providing NFS via 1Gbe vlans.
Other information:
This system has non hot swap space for 8 x 2.5” devices in the remaining lower drive bay using dual drive adapter brackets.
I lifecycle large chunks of my lab every 5-8 years depending on cash flow and try and get the most bang for the buck. Only in the last 10 years was I able to start writing it off as before that I worked directly for corporations. First lab was 1999, then 2007, then 2012 and now 2018. I still have a chassis, motherboard, cpu, memory and some SCSI devices from 1999 though I am about to punt those to the recyclers if I can get some data off some old DAT tapes.
(Q) Why the old spinners?
(A) I have customers with 24 bay drive servers/shelves/NAS which are mostly spinners and will mimic scenarios for support or projects. My customers are mostly SMB and we try and get 7-8 years out of their server and network infrastructure.
(Q) Why did you build this monstrosity instead of buying a 24 Bay P2000 or an 8/9 5.25” Bay Mid-tower?
(A) Because I like mid-towers and got it into my head I could build this re-using a compute node I had on hand from the 2012 evolution. 4 x 300R’s fit in each bread rack level very well. Mid towers are a bit more manageable for me but I have to admit this thing weighs about what a 2U server weighs but it is a bit less cumbersome.
(Q) That is an awful lot of pricey Icy Dock kit. Okay not a question.
(A) Hot Swap lets me reconfigure very easily for testing things like vSAN or the drives themselves. I’ve been buying ICY Dock products for a long time. I cleaned out the SAS Hot Swap inventory from a business that seems to be dumping their ICY Dock Products and I got a few more vi eBay.
(Q) The fascia work is a bit messy. Again not a question.
(A) First time trying to mod fascia. First time working with epoxy. I’m not the most artistically/mechanically inclined person but what I build is usually pretty solid just not that pretty. My OCD kicks in when I look at the lower fascia brace and realize its pushed out on one side and makes the drive cages look like they aren’t level across the front.
(Q) Why the HP SAS expander instead of another HBA?
(A) Because I wanted to play with it, and the lower drive bay will accommodate 8 2.5” drives so I’m above 24 drives.
(Q) Why the LED fan lights?
(A) I like blinky lights. Makes me feel fuzzy. Practical reason is sometimes my neighbor has to be my remote hands when I am on the road and colored systems help them find things quickly. But really cause I like blinky lights. Compute Nodes have a Red fan in the lower fan position. Labels are on the back.
(Q) What is the power usage?
(A) No idea, have not measured but my electric bill did not change when I turned off the synology it replaced and turned this on.
(Q) How quiet is this system?
(A) its okay. Its about as quiet as a synology DS2411+ and DX1211 combined. It lives in the basement with the bodies and they don’t seem to mind. ;-).
Operating System/ Storage Platform: Freenas 11.2-RELEASE
CPU: e3-1230
Motherboard: Tyan S5510GM3NR
Chassis: Corsair Carbide 300R 1st generation modified for 6 x 5.25” Bays
Drives:
Zpool Disk 3 x 4 Raid Z1 with log
8 x 600GB HGST Netapp X422 10K SAS HDD
4 x 600GB Toshiba AL13SEB600 10K SAS HDD
2 x 80GB intel DC3500 SATA SSD on 6Gbps SATA
Zpool SSD 6 x Mirror
12 x 400GB Hitachi HUSML4040ASS601 SAS SSD
RAM: 4x 8GB ecc udimm
Add-in Cards:
MCX354A-QCBT (649281-B21) flashed to a MCX354A-FCBT 40Gbe
Dell Perc H310 HBA flashed to LSI IT Mode
HP Sas Expander flashed to latest fw package
Power Supply: Corsair HX750
Other Bits:
6 x Icy Dock MB994SP-4S Hot Swap for 24 2.5” 15mm SAS hot swap bays
Corsair H60 AIO cooler
Corsair SP140 Blue Fans
Corsair SP120 Blue Fans
fan extension cable
6 x SFF8087-SATA cables
2 x SFF-8087 to SFF-8087 cables
5.25” 4 bay drive cage cut from 1999 ATX (V1) Lab system case
JB Weld Black to build the lower cross brace fascia
Incept Date: 11/2018 Updated 3/2019
Usage Profile: Provides 10Gbe NFS storage to my esxi systems via storage vlan. This system replaces a Synology DS1010+ with DX510 that was providing NFS via 1Gbe vlans.
Other information:
This system has non hot swap space for 8 x 2.5” devices in the remaining lower drive bay using dual drive adapter brackets.
I lifecycle large chunks of my lab every 5-8 years depending on cash flow and try and get the most bang for the buck. Only in the last 10 years was I able to start writing it off as before that I worked directly for corporations. First lab was 1999, then 2007, then 2012 and now 2018. I still have a chassis, motherboard, cpu, memory and some SCSI devices from 1999 though I am about to punt those to the recyclers if I can get some data off some old DAT tapes.
(Q) Why the old spinners?
(A) I have customers with 24 bay drive servers/shelves/NAS which are mostly spinners and will mimic scenarios for support or projects. My customers are mostly SMB and we try and get 7-8 years out of their server and network infrastructure.
(Q) Why did you build this monstrosity instead of buying a 24 Bay P2000 or an 8/9 5.25” Bay Mid-tower?
(A) Because I like mid-towers and got it into my head I could build this re-using a compute node I had on hand from the 2012 evolution. 4 x 300R’s fit in each bread rack level very well. Mid towers are a bit more manageable for me but I have to admit this thing weighs about what a 2U server weighs but it is a bit less cumbersome.
(Q) That is an awful lot of pricey Icy Dock kit. Okay not a question.
(A) Hot Swap lets me reconfigure very easily for testing things like vSAN or the drives themselves. I’ve been buying ICY Dock products for a long time. I cleaned out the SAS Hot Swap inventory from a business that seems to be dumping their ICY Dock Products and I got a few more vi eBay.
(Q) The fascia work is a bit messy. Again not a question.
(A) First time trying to mod fascia. First time working with epoxy. I’m not the most artistically/mechanically inclined person but what I build is usually pretty solid just not that pretty. My OCD kicks in when I look at the lower fascia brace and realize its pushed out on one side and makes the drive cages look like they aren’t level across the front.
(Q) Why the HP SAS expander instead of another HBA?
(A) Because I wanted to play with it, and the lower drive bay will accommodate 8 2.5” drives so I’m above 24 drives.
(Q) Why the LED fan lights?
(A) I like blinky lights. Makes me feel fuzzy. Practical reason is sometimes my neighbor has to be my remote hands when I am on the road and colored systems help them find things quickly. But really cause I like blinky lights. Compute Nodes have a Red fan in the lower fan position. Labels are on the back.
(Q) What is the power usage?
(A) No idea, have not measured but my electric bill did not change when I turned off the synology it replaced and turned this on.
(Q) How quiet is this system?
(A) its okay. Its about as quiet as a synology DS2411+ and DX1211 combined. It lives in the basement with the bodies and they don’t seem to mind. ;-).
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