Anyone know a good source for these? Newegg is out and Amazon only has one from a 3rd party vendor. Im looking to buy two of them, if i cant find them i guess i'll have to go with something else and mismatch my cages. I saw some on ebay but i dont like spending that much on ebay, just not comfortable with it.

http://www.mwave.com/mwave/SKUSearch_v3.asp?px=FO&scriteria=BA31120

Thank you so much. Ordered the 2 i needed.

Well crap..... I hate when you can purchase something and payment goes through, only THEN do they tell you they don't have it.

 

 

Dear Valued Customer:

 

We regret to inform you that the following item requested on your order, has recently been placed on back order:

BA31120 - NORCO SS-500 5 bay SATA / SAS hot swap rack module

 

Unfortunately, we do not have a current ETA as to when we can expect this item in our warehouse.

3btech used to have them, but they are no longer listed on their site.  Since there's only one company that manufactures and imports the drive cages to the US, it actually happens somewhat frequently the entire country's supply drops out for a bit.  IPCDirect is Norco's online storefront, and they claim to still have them for $100 each (plus shipping).  If you are willing to pay extra for them, they should be able to help you out.  If not, then I suggest waiting for the next shipment to arrive from Asia.

I wouldn't have any problem with a different cage, but I like a clean look and not sure what would look ok. The iStarUSA one linked below doesnt seem like it would look too terrible with a norco cage, maybe sandwich the norco in the middle of two of those? I dunno. Also, this is in an antec 900 if anyone has opinions on how it would look or an example maybe?

 

http://www.mwave.com/mwave/SKUSearch.asp?scriteria=BA25916&pagetitle=iStarUSA%20BPU-350SATA-BPL%203x5.25%20to%205x3.5%20SATA2.0%20Hot-Sw

 

The iStars don't have easily replaceable fans (soldering is required), so I would recommend against them.  The stock fans are reportedly loud.  Again, either go with IPCDirect or just wait a few weeks.  I also have a single SS-500 that I would be willing to sell you just to tide you over until you can buy a 3rd.  I've only got one, though.  PM me if you want it.

PM Sent.

 

I would get the ones from IPCDirect, but I have a feeling the refund from mwave isn't going to be as fast as payment was sent. I want to make sure these are actually cancelled and I have my money back before I order 2 more.

I just checked on NCIX and they are stating the SS-500 is no longer available. Usually if it is, they will at least tell you they can back order it for you, so maybe those have been discontinued.

For some pics of how these cages look, you can read my cage review which has pics of them in a Antec 1200 case, similar....

 

Shawn

 

I sent a message to IPCDirect asking them to confirm that they had the SS-500 in stock. If they do i'll order a couple from them. Otherwise i'll start looking at other cages. I really like the Norco cage so trying for those if i can.

Interesting.. I know they changed the backplanes in the 4224's in the last 2 weeks to these new yellow PCB ones and they stated "they are not compatable with older RPC-4224's" makes me wonder if they are doing some sort of across the board change on all of their hot swap trays....

 

or maybe it is just a coincidence.

Johnm,

 

Is this the new 4224 backplane?

 

http://www.ipcdirect.net/servlet/Detail?no=315

 

If so, it looks like they shifted the SFF-8087 connector to the middle and may have reduced component count as well. My guess, after closely comparing the two pictures, is that the drive cages won't change. Who knows with Norco though.

So I called IPCDirect since I never got a response via email. They said that they would have the SS-500 in stock again by Novemeber 25th (black friday). His response when I asked about the item was rather quick so im assuming there may have been alot of interest. Just an FYI in case anyone else is looking for these.

that looks to be a new product.

 

the switches are new. the color is yellow

 

the sas connector has been pretty much centered for a while now.

 

It is possible that the height is different in the quick release slots for the backplane itself.

if that is the case, that would make them incompatible with all previous generations.

 

you cant really change to much for the physical fitting of the drive. that part is an industry standard.

the sas connector has been pretty much centered for a while now.

 

Yes, but this small shift of 2-3 cm also caused the middle thumb screw to be shifted as well. I think that is why compatibility with earlier versions of the 4224 was lost.

So I called IPCDirect since I never got a response via email. They said that they would have the SS-500 in stock again by Novemeber 25th (black friday). His response when I asked about the item was rather quick so im assuming there may have been alot of interest. Just an FYI in case anyone else is looking for these.

 

The latest is that the Norco SS-500 won't be available until December 20th...

At least it hasn't been discontinued.  I want another one (eventually.)

i'm guessing they will be getting the new drives sleds like the rack mounts did.

norco has been out of stock on almost everything lately. i think they are just now doing catchup.

i'm guessing they will be getting the new drives sleds like the rack mounts did.

 

I hope that is not the case, but of course you are probably right.  I might start looking into other options if the quality of these units goes too far downhill.

Back in stock on Newegg.

 

Edit: Nevermind, I bought one and now shows out-of-stock.

I was hoping to find these back in stock on NewEgg soon to use some christmas gift cards.  My biggest concern is not being able to find them eventually, my server having different brand 5x3s would kick my OCD into high gear  .

This is why I always recommend getting all you need at once. That OCD thing can be a pain.

I've seen all to often how you build something piecemeal, then find the parts unavailable as you start to require them later.

 

With the Supermicros I've always seen them available in one place or another.

 

You can use the same holder/sled in many of the rack mount/desktop cases as well as the 5x3 units.

Which is why I choose them.

hmm...i may just pick up 3 new supermicro's and be done with it.

hmm...i may just pick up 3 new supermicro's and be done with it.

 

See our other thread on suggested replacement fans.

I choose the Geil fans, which are really quiet, They were not all that expensive.

The fans that come with the supermicro's are loud.

They are "easily" removed and replaced.

 

Also there are many opinions on the Supermicros, but they are built really well and very strong.

They can be a lil tough to install as they are solid metal sheaths.

 

http://lime-technology.com/forum/index.php?topic=12405.0

See this thread.

 

Also, if I were to choose a different 5x3, I would probably go with the ICY docks, Only thing though, is they changed a lil over the years... and if you want a consistent look, then just purchase all 3 at once and be done with it.

 

In contrast, the Supermicro 5x3's have been the same for almost 10 years.

 

See our other thread on suggested replacement fans.

I choose the Geil fans, which are really quiet, They were not all that expensive.

 

I believe that's a typo, as the recommended replacement fans are made by Gelid.  I definitely agree that replacing the fans on these Supermicro units is important if noise levels concern you.  I recently bought some of those fans from AxionTech and had a pretty bad experience with them (3 weeks after placing my order they still haven't shipped the fans, and I had to call them to get them to ship them out), so I would recommend sourcing them elsewhere if you can find another vendor.

 

The Norco SS-500's were supposed to be back in stock at Newegg on Dec. 20th.  Instead of that, they are now discontinued.  Quite the disappointment...I may have to start using the Supermicros or Icy Docks as the default drive cage in Greenleaf builds.