As the title states, I am looking into moving some and maybe all of my servers over to 10gbe. Partially to help speed up file transfers and partially to simplify some of the cabling since I have a few LAGG groups that I would like to get rid of. Since I am complete newbie when it comes to anything 10gbe/fiber, I am hoping that you guys can help me and save me some money on trial and error.
To start things off, here are the servers:
FreeNAS
Supermicro X9SCM-F
Intel e3-1230 v2
32gb RAM
12x3TB WD RED
6x2TB WD RED
Will be upgrading to 9.3
ESXi 5.5 Server #1
Supermicro X9SCM-F
Intel e3-1230 v2
32gb RAM
Quad Port 1gbe NIC
ESXi 5.5 Server #2
Supermicro A1SAM-2750F
32gb RAM
Quad Port 1gbe NIC
So the two servers I would really like to get on 10gbe are the FreeNAS server and the first ESXi server since I move the most files between those two. I would really like to be able to speed up the archive process. Ideally, if I can get a switch that has four 10gbe ports for a reasonable price, I would like to move the second ESXi server and my workstation to 10gbe as well.
From my research so far, it seems like the Intel x520 is an ideal choice for NICs as far as driver support goes but those get expensive fast if I were to get four of them. It seems like the Intel X520 is a good choice for FreeNAS but seems to have driver issues in some instances. Chelsio t3/t4/t5 cards work with FreeNAS as well but they don't seem to be any cheaper than the Intel cards but look like they are the preferred card by iXsystems. As far as the ESXi server go, can I use something like Connectx-2 EN cards since they go for about 35 on ebay or Brocade 1010/1020 cards?
Next decision is the switch. I was looking at the MicroTik CRS226-24G-2S+RM since it was in the price range I am looking for and satisfies the criteria of switching two servers to 10gbe but leaves zero room to expand. With some reading on the forums here, the Netgear ProSafe GSM7328Sv2 seems like a good choice and gives me the option of adding the other servers later on. Are there any switches that have four 10gbe SFP+ ports that are near close the price range of the two switches I have listed?
Finally, the transcievers, I have no idea which ones work with what switches and cards. Do I need to buy the 60+ dollar ones for the Intel cards or can I use the $18 ones from the the fiberstore?
Thanks for the help in advance!
EDIT:
Thinking of picking up a couple of these Connectx-2 en cards on Ebay. Thoughts? Also what transceivers work with these?
To start things off, here are the servers:
FreeNAS
Supermicro X9SCM-F
Intel e3-1230 v2
32gb RAM
12x3TB WD RED
6x2TB WD RED
Will be upgrading to 9.3
ESXi 5.5 Server #1
Supermicro X9SCM-F
Intel e3-1230 v2
32gb RAM
Quad Port 1gbe NIC
ESXi 5.5 Server #2
Supermicro A1SAM-2750F
32gb RAM
Quad Port 1gbe NIC
So the two servers I would really like to get on 10gbe are the FreeNAS server and the first ESXi server since I move the most files between those two. I would really like to be able to speed up the archive process. Ideally, if I can get a switch that has four 10gbe ports for a reasonable price, I would like to move the second ESXi server and my workstation to 10gbe as well.
From my research so far, it seems like the Intel x520 is an ideal choice for NICs as far as driver support goes but those get expensive fast if I were to get four of them. It seems like the Intel X520 is a good choice for FreeNAS but seems to have driver issues in some instances. Chelsio t3/t4/t5 cards work with FreeNAS as well but they don't seem to be any cheaper than the Intel cards but look like they are the preferred card by iXsystems. As far as the ESXi server go, can I use something like Connectx-2 EN cards since they go for about 35 on ebay or Brocade 1010/1020 cards?
Next decision is the switch. I was looking at the MicroTik CRS226-24G-2S+RM since it was in the price range I am looking for and satisfies the criteria of switching two servers to 10gbe but leaves zero room to expand. With some reading on the forums here, the Netgear ProSafe GSM7328Sv2 seems like a good choice and gives me the option of adding the other servers later on. Are there any switches that have four 10gbe SFP+ ports that are near close the price range of the two switches I have listed?
Finally, the transcievers, I have no idea which ones work with what switches and cards. Do I need to buy the 60+ dollar ones for the Intel cards or can I use the $18 ones from the the fiberstore?
Thanks for the help in advance!
EDIT:
Thinking of picking up a couple of these Connectx-2 en cards on Ebay. Thoughts? Also what transceivers work with these?
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