Just Wondering.

is it possible to expand  outside of the server?

say you have a build with a cm590 and are limited to 15 drives you could add 7 more.

maybe sas could be uses to go to another case /HD enclosure and split up back to sata?

maybe there are external raid boxes that are usable for this?

 

be very interested in other peoples thought knowledge on this

 

 

 

 

Yes, there are some SAS cables and controller cards that could be used to have external drive towers.

eSATA and port multipliers work too.

Ya, look here;

 

http://www.addonics.com/products/raid_system/st_series.asp

 

For the internal parts you'd install something like these to support up to 7 drives;

1 x ST5 - base storage tower

1 x Disk Array 4SA - 4 disk hotswap adapter

1 x Disk Array 3SA - 3 disk hotswap adapter

2 x ADSARPM-E - port multiplier

 

Note that 2 of the port multipliers could support 10 drives if you changed the hotswap bays to hold 5 drives each and used the ST9 storage tower.

 

Then, you install this card in your PC and run 2 x eSATA cables to your new box.

 

http://www.addonics.com/products/host_controller/adsa3gpx1.asp

 

 

You could also use a couple of the other brackets, such as the one to just run a bunch of eSATA cables or 2 infiniband adapters could be used with the SUPERMICRO AOC-SASLP-MV8 to connect the Supermicro to this external HDD box.

 

Lots of options are possible.

 

Peter

 

thanks for all the replies,and  my excuse for the late response I got a little carried away getting my first build up and running.

 

it is very interesting to see what options there are.

those storage towers look interesting too. a five bay should already expandable to 8 drives if i'm not mistaken. only downside is it could get a little expensive.

 

altho in retrospect for anyone wanting expandability from the beginning starting with a norco 20 or 24 bay case is probably the cheapest solution.

 

 

interesting stuff,

cheers!

With a little fancy setup/wiring, you could go with another CM590.

3 more 5in3's and the correct addonics 5x1 port multiplier card to add another 15 drives.

 

Keep in mind the port multipliers usually limit the speed to around 60MB/s.

Still, it is an effective way to grow past current chassis limitations.

indeed

all that is needed now is to have unraid to expand to 30 drives

 

or if 5 bays are enough alot of little cheap cases could already be suficient.