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Sorry if I was unclear... I have the fan for my backplane connected to the 3-pin connector on my MOBO...so now I'd like to know how to control it (i.e. via software or OS through that connection.

Hi Guys, Sorry if this belongs in a different area or the data exists, but I've searched and read through many posts without finding an easy answer--and maybe an easy answer isn't possible. I will also say, I know nothing about linux--I simply downloaded the unRAID OS and it worked OTB (which I love!). I have a new build (working well) with a SuperMicro 5x3 SATA backplane...the chassis I used was the AZZA Helios910 which came with four fans all of which are virtually silent. My Corsair CX750 PSU also has a silent fan...counting the CPU and backplane fans, I have seven fans. All of them except the SuperMicro's fan are virtually silent. I'm using a BIOSTAR Hi-Fi A85W MOBO and the 5.0-rc10 Lime OS with three 3TB drives, no plug-ins (yet). I'm using the unit as a simple home NAS, nothing more. The SuperMicro fan is just driving me nuts with it's noise. Short of replacing it, I'd like to find a way to control the fan via software. I'd be happy if I could simply have it turn off when the drives shut down and turn on when they spin up. The OS reads and reports the drive temps just fine. I thought I might use the BioStar BIOS to de-tune the fan a bit by plugging the SuperMicro's fan lead onto [one of] the MOBO fan headers, but the BIOS doesn't give me any controls for fans except the CPU fan (that I can find). And I suppose the best solution would ramp the fan up as the temp increased...but again, I'm out for a simple solution. Is there a simple way to do this? Being a newbie and absolute beginner, I'm pleading for a simple and complete instruction set. Thanks for your help! Mark... System Config: unRAID Server 5.0-rc10 AZZA Helios 910 Case Corsair CX750 PSU BioStar HiFi A85 MOBO AMD A6-5400K Trinity CPU 8GB RAM (2x4GB) SuperMicro 5x3 SATA Backplane 3 x 3TB 7200RPM Seagate Barracuda HD Except for requiring a MOBO power cable adaptor, I took the pieces out of the boxes, plugged them together and it worked--no tweaking.

Hi Folks, The new build is progressing nicely (thank you all for your help so far). I just wanted to make sure I'm doing the preclear correctly with my 3TB drives. I'm using the -A option to clear each drive as I assumed a 3TB Seagate is an "advanced format" disk and it also makes it use the 4K option. I'm hoping I didn't just waste all weekend clearing two drives "the wrong way". I read all the instructions, but they were a little thin on the -A and -a option. Your help, input and guidance is much appreciated.

Hello folks, Newbie builder here. I am working on the parts list for a server that will house 15 disks. I am considering using three 5x3 Drive cages. I understand the power needs and single rail concepts, however I'm new to purchasing power supplies for an application like this and I'm not up to speed (and can't quite figure out) how to tell how many power plugs come with a particular power supply (or which plugs I can use). For example, one of the PSUs mentioned (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139020) shows the following: 1 x Main connector (20+4Pin) 1 x 4+4 Pin CPU 8 x Peripheral 8 x SATA 2 x Floppy 2 x PCI-E Here are my questions: Will I use the "Peripheral" plugs or the SATA plugs? I haven't seen SATA power ports on the Cages (or did I miss that?). Are the "Floppy" cables available to use as well (do they supply the same power)? In looking at the Drive Cages, it would appear that you can get away with needing only three power plugs for five drives. Is that correct? If I put in three cages, I'd still be one short using this PSU, correct? Is there a way to daisy-chain additional plugs? I wouldn't think so, but I'm asking... How is a large array (ie 15 drives) usually powered? How or where do you get 15 plugs? I feel like I'm missing something obvious, so I apologize if these are dumb Q's or covered elsewhere. Thanks in advance.

Thank You Ford Prefect!!! I think for what I want (simple SMB/file shares) for pictures, backups, etc. the lower level Supermicro card will suffice. With my goal of ~15 drives, I think I can get them all connected with the motherboard and one card (which says it can drive 8 drives). Please let me know if there's some inherent limitation to that plan...I understand that the NIC and/or my network may be the limiting factor... My main concern was committing to the purchase of the gear only to find out I can't mix throughput speeds, and you've allayed that fear. Thanks again! Very helpful...

Hello folks, Newbie builder here--I've tried to search this answer, but didn't find a specific answer. My confusion (and the confusion exists at many levels) is in regards to what SATA throughput speed is needed/best/compatible on the Motherboard as well as within PCIe expansion controller cards. The SuperMicro card (AOC-SASLP-MV8) is spec'd at 3GB/s throughput. So here are my Q's: 1. Do you have to have the same throughput spec on the Motherboard SATA ports as on the SAS RAID Controller? 2. Can you mix and match speeds? 3. Does it involve more setup/build/bios editing time if you do mix? 4. Will a 6GB/s perform the initial setup/disk clearing faster? 5. Should I look for 6GB/s expansion cards? Do they exist? I have been looking at Motherboards that have 8 6GB/s SATA ports, but want to make sure that I can add additional drives later. And I want to make sure it will work as I grow and minimize the setup/bios editing later. My goal is to create a server that can hold 15 3TB or 4TB disks. Thanks in advance.