WeeboTech

I recommended the StarTech if you wanted/needed the 2 'other' internal drives to run at top speed. I.E. SATA III. It's what I choose so my SSD would get 350MB/s. It does not work well with Port Multipliers. It works, just not as smoothly when accessing multiple drives simultaneously. I don't have an opinion on the mediasonic box. I selected items based on performance, reliability and functionality. I choose the sans digital box for it's internal power supply and hardware raid functionality should I choose to re-deploy elsewhere. It's really come in handy when I needed it. Have two of them.

I'm sorry I don't have an answer for you on that. Perhaps try the pvscsi. I've never bench marked the network speed because I'm using wifi in an apartment building. There's allot of interference here.

I've used these parts with success. Addonics ADSA3GPX1-2E PCI Express eSATA and SATA II 2 Port eSATA II RAID Controller http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16816318005 SANS DIGITAL TR4UTBPN 4Bay USB 3.0 / eSATA Hardware RAID 5 Tower RAID Enclosure (no eSATA card bundled) http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16816111149 I used this for the top two internal drives so I had maximum speed. it did not perform to my expectations for Port Multiplier usage when accessing multiple drives at the same time with ESX. StarTech PEXESAT322I PCI-Express x1 Low Profile Ready SATA III (6.0Gb/s) 2 Int/2 Ext SATA Controller Card http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16816129101

Thanks for pointing out the need for a low-profile card. I overlooked that (I don't have one of these systems) ... and I'm surprised Sans-Digital included cards on its list that didn't meet that criteria. As for the 622 not supporting port multipliers .... where did you see that note? I looked at the Newegg link and it's not on any of their descriptive pages, and in fact one of the reviewers noted: "... Wanted a card that supports port multiplication to just access individual drives. It wasn't clear in the specs, at the maufacturer's website, or in the reviews that this card will do anything besides RAID or JBOD, but it works fine ..." That, plus the fact it's on Sans Digital's list of "eSATA Port Multiplier" cards that they reference in their product descriptions would tend to support that it should work! [ http://www.sansdigital.com/esata-port-multiplier/index.php ] Have you actually tried that card? I have not tried the card, I saw the comment, I cannot remember where it is. What I can say for sure, the silicon image cards work with port multiplers. The Marvel chipsets work, but not as smoothly as the silicon image chipsests. The Asmedia chipsets work, but again, not as smoothly as the silicon image chipsets. In my tests I would do 1 dd, then 2 in parallel, then 3 in parallel, then 4. With the silicon image chipsets, Each successive parallel dd lowered the throughput by 30MB/s. I.E. one test was almost 120MB/s, two were at 60MB/s, Three around 40MB/s, 4 at 30MB/s. These were my findings, YMMV. By the end of the test, 4 drives were DD'ing at 30MB/s each at the same time with a very smooth access of data to each drive. With the other chipsets access was not as smooth. With the ASmedia Chipset, it worked by by the time I had 4 in parallel, the access was on the order of 10MB/s for each drive. Access was very blocky. I.E. When one process was DD'ing. It seemed to lock out (block) access to the other drives. The Marvel wasn't as fast as the Silicon image chipset. (from my findings years ago, current technology may be better). I've been playing with these port multipliers ever since linux started supporting them, these are my findings from testing. There may be better cards. I can only afford so many controllers to test with. (grin). I've used a SYBA Silicon Image 3124 chipset on PCIe x1, Addonics Silicon Image 3132 on PCIe x1 and the ASmedia SATA III PCIe x1 card on this particular box. With the Startech ASmedia Card, SATA III and an SSD, I was able to achieve over 350MB/s on PCIe x1. With a 3TB SATA III 7200 RPM drive I was able to achieve over 190MB/s. Port multiplier speed suffered greatly when accessing multiple drives simultaneously. Before any expenditure, I would suggest testing the eSATA port on the back of the box to see how well it performs. The high point rocket card may work and perform well with the port multipliers. However, there still is the low profile point that has to be considered. Someone else in the thread was exploring a 4 port card. Perhaps that card could be considered.

There are a few cards referenced throughout the thread that should work. The safest approach is to use one of the cards on the SansDigital list of cards known to work with their port multiplier cases: http://www.sansdigital.com/esata-port-multiplier/index.php This inexpensive card is on the list: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16816115073 ... and would work in the PCIe x1 slot in the enclosure. If your x16 slot is available, this x4 card (also on the list) would give you far more bandwidth -- you could add up to 4 of the enclosures http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16816115036 Choose a card that has a low profile bracket. That particular x4 card from newegg will NOT fit. The other card is a Rocket point and there is a comment in the comments saying "Verified by HighPoint - the R622 does NOT support Port Multiplier (PM)" Choose a low profile card with a Silicon Image chipset, or the Startech model I've previously mentioned. The Silicon Image chipsets provide the smoothest Port Multiplier Capability. They are not the fastest for single drive access, but the driver seems to be mature enough that multiple drive access is smoother.

You may be able to use the eSATA port on the back of the N36, unless you are redirecting that internally. Then you can get a SIL3132 type card (check out mono price). Another option is to try the eSATA port and get a PCIe x1 card for the two internal drives. I used an ASMedia card by startech so I could have 2 SATA III ports internally. If you go back in this thread there are some links and suggestions posted.

Thanks to neilt0 for posting this!! I split the topic so it can be discussed on it's own. http://lime-technology.com/forum/index.php?topic=27514.0 Please discuss Gen 8 Microserver in the other thread

300 watts during a full parity check with 22 drives is not that bad. It's what the power draw in standby that I would be concerned with while using all those external enclosures.

Have you ever checked the "total" power usage with killawatt all the external cases when drives are in standby? I would be curious as to the power utilization. I prefer to house most of my unRAID drives in external cases. It worked great for my WHS with 27 drives in seven external cases(plus 4 drives in the HP MSS case) and for my first unRAID where I used to have twenty drives in five external cases(now 17 in four cases and I moved the other drives inside the motherboard enclosue with the parity and cache drives). And my second unRAID is currently using fourteen drives with 8 in two external cases and six in the motherboard enclsoure). So I wanted the N54L to be used in the location that my WHS is since it is relatively small. Although it was much larger than I realized when I opened it.

I think it's all about space. I was going to do something similar. In my new place it's less intrusive to spread the machine and drives horizontally then to have a large tower sitting somewhere. While I have under desk space, it cannot fit a 20 drive server. I do have above desk space on my Versatable desk, but it will be too high and to heavy to lift every time I have to maintain the server.

Let us know how you make out. I know I do not relish working inside my N54L! So the less opens the better!

As far as I know, that is correct. I know I could not use Port Multiplier under ESX with that port either. I cannot remember if it worked with unRAID.

Also if you can locate this card you can have 2 internal and 2 external ports on the x1 slot. SYBA SD-PEX40031 PCI-Express 2.0 SATA II (3.0Gb/s) / 2 Power-over-eSATA II Controller Card http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16816124038 http://www.sybausa.com/productInfo.php?iid=844 I bought a couple off eBay. These are SATA II and PCIe 1.0. In comparison the ASM1061 Chipset supports SATA III and PCIE 2.0 I was not happy with the ASM chipset's handling of port multipliers. It was very chunky when multiple drives were accessed at the same time. It may be OK for a parity check. If you want to use the ASM1061 for an SSD cache and Parity it will work out really well. This is how I am using it with the top 2 drives.

Mod the bios. The internal port would then be at full speed. The external port on the back would be at full speed. You could have the x4 on one slot, a 2 port x1 gen 2 card in the other slot. Mod the back of the unit, put the other 2 internal SATA's to eSATA's that are modded on the back. you would have 7 eSATA ports, 6 which are Port Multiplier capable. The 7th may work for you.

There is real estate above the 120MM fan or by the Power connector. You could drill and nibble out space for eSATA connectors. https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B-toLvKA9H7jeERZSTU0WEhHREE/edit?usp=sharing https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B-toLvKA9H7jMkdackZHU2Y3ckE/edit?usp=sharing

Speaking frankly, it seems like you are tying to build a larger server out of a micro server and after a while it stops making sense to go that way. With an X4 card and 2 internal SATA ports, you can route those two outside. There is an internal SATA port that you can use up top after you load in the modified bios. There is an external SATA port that you can or may not be able to use with port multipliers. I did not have success. If you are trying to stuff a 6th drive up top, it may not make sense to go that way with all the effort involved. it's really tight inside the case. If you went with the X4 card and routed the two internal ports up top. then went with the X1 PCIe gen 2 card, you might be able to squeeze that 6th drive up top and have it look neat. I can say this, on my older chenbro chassis. I was able to nibble out some metal on an unused part of the case and install the eSATA plugs, There may be some room over the PCIe cards.

Not that I know of without some case mods. maybe you could use this and modify it to use an eSATA connector instead of the USB connectors. Or rip them out and just use an eSATA to SATA cable. Wouldn't look all that nice. Another choice is a case mod through the back. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817998184 SYBA SY-MRA55006 5.25" Dual Bay Mobile Rack for both 2.5" and 3.25" SATA HDD, Plus 2 USB 3.0 Port

Posting this here in case anyone finds a use for it with a multiple port controller or a neater method of routing the eSATA port back internal. StarTech ESATAPLT2LP 2-Port Low Profile SATA to eSATA Plate Adapter http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16812400005 StarTech ESATAPLT1LP 1ft Low Profile SATA to eSATA Plate Adapter http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16812400005

Note that there may be a hard limit on the number of drives you can attach to the MicroServer. I think I read on HardOCP that the limit was 12. Having said that, just because the BIOS can't see a drive, it doesn't mean the OS doesn't also. I can't remember where it wasn't "seen". It's probably with Windows. which needs the bios. With linux it will not use the BIOS when it comes to PMP. I've had linux/unraid detect drives that the bios did not. Although that doesn't mean it will work.

I'll have to write a UCD post. For the most part, most of what I've done has been mentioned in this thread. I can tell you that I received benchmarks upwards of 350MB/s sometimes up to 400MB/s using a Samsung PM 840 PRO 256GB SSD. with a 3TB Seagate it was around 195MB/s. These are raw DD benchmarks of reading the drive directly with no filesystem I/O. With filesystem I/O this changes because of journaling and other housekeeping. Also the HPN54L has PCIe gen 2 ports.

I like that card. I had it at one time. it worked OK. You could search for an another low profile eSATA adapter to externalize the other two ports. This is the X1 card I used for SATA III. StarTech PEXESAT322I PCI-Express x1 Low Profile Ready SATA III (6.0Gb/s) 2 Int/2 Ext SATA Controller Card http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16816129101 For me the SATA III was important for the two new additional internal drives. ICY DOCK MB971SP-B DuoSwap 5.25" Hot-Swap Drive Caddy for 2.5" and 3.5" SATA HD/SSD http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817994143 Although expensive, it's what I needed. 1 SATA III SSD and 1 SATA III 3TB 7200 RPM drive. I was looking at the ICY dock last night. But I was wondering about cooling. With that ICY Dock, does the N54L still keeps those drives cool since that enclosure doesn't have a built in fan? Although if my plan for the setup works I would only need an ICY dock enclosure that houses one 3.5" drive. I have one in my second unRAID that has a built in fan under the drive that works very well. If it will fit in the N54L my plan was to purchase another one. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16816215033 I have not noticed an issue. However I'm not anal about it either. in my initial tests I did not see a problem with the temperature and a 7200 RPM seagate drive. The ICY Dock is heavy. I'm sure it acts as a heat sink. It was important for me to have a high speed SSD since I'm running ESX on my N54L. With the unit and the fan, the fan could get jammed up with the cables that are underneath it. it's a good place for the fan as there is a gap under the 5.25 area, but you will have to be very careful with the cabling. I would try it out with what you have first.

FYI, you don't want to have more then 4 Drives that are accessed immediately one after the other. I bet if you rotated/staggered the drive assignments you would be fine. I.E. Disk1 on one controller, Disk 2 on another controller, Disk 3 on another controller. etc. etc. One drive access via PMP connection is as fast as 1 drive can go to a max of 120MB/s. It's when you access multiple drives at the same time on the same channel/cable that it gets slow. The caveat is it brings up an issue of complexity when configuring and troubleshooting.

According to one of the images, it has a low profile adapter.

I like that card. I had it at one time. it worked OK. You could search for an another low profile eSATA adapter to externalize the other two ports. This is the X1 card I used for SATA III. StarTech PEXESAT322I PCI-Express x1 Low Profile Ready SATA III (6.0Gb/s) 2 Int/2 Ext SATA Controller Card http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16816129101 For me the SATA III was important for the two new additional internal drives. ICY DOCK MB971SP-B DuoSwap 5.25" Hot-Swap Drive Caddy for 2.5" and 3.5" SATA HD/SSD http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817994143 Although expensive, it's what I needed. 1 SATA III SSD and 1 SATA III 3TB 7200 RPM drive.

But can I do that with the N54L? I've been using external enclosures for over two years with my first unRAID. So I understand what speeds I will get. During the parity check I get speeds around 30 MB/s with twenty data drives. I use a cache drive so I can get good speeds when transferring data and the cache drive transfers it to the array later. I just want to make sure this is possible with the N54L. My other unRAIDs I setup with regular motherboards. But the N54L is a micro PC. The Technology is there. You can rebuild it. The issue is how fast your party speed will be, As I mention. The micro servers only support low profile cards. Two PCIe x1 cards with 2 eSATA ports each. 1 or 2 extra internal drives. or 1 internal drive and an external drive. That external drive can possibly be PMP, but I don't know about the performance of it.