hernandito Posted October 4, 2015 Posted October 4, 2015 I have a mid tower where I have the capacity of twelve 3.5" drives. I am looking to be able to add mire drives to my array. Currently I am maxed out on my drive slots and I even have a 4 in 3 drive cage taking up all my 5.25" drive bays. The computer has to be in a cabinet in my bedroom, so ideally its a quiet case. Can anyone please suggest something that will not break the bank, or keep my wife from leaving me... I live in an apt. and unfortunately I don't have anywhere to put it where it can be out of the way. Hopefully something that will keep the expense around $400 US. Those Norco server racks cases are very noisy correct? Thanks, H.
c3 Posted October 4, 2015 Posted October 4, 2015 The Norco cases are noisy if left with factory fans and no fan control. Plus they are large and heavy. The noise is easily mitigated by changing the mid-wall to three 120mm fans. The rear fans do not need to be used. You can then install large quieter fans. However the size is not so easily changed.
garycase Posted October 4, 2015 Posted October 4, 2015 For QUIET it's hard to beat a Fractal R4. Not sure how many drives you need to accommodate, but it can easily handle 15 drives. Basic case has 8 internal drive bays, plus 2 5.25" bays that will accommodate a 3-in-2 cage ... for a total of 11 drives. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811352020&cm_re=Fractal_R4-_-11-352-020-_-Product http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817994026 ... and it has plenty of space for a Caselabs 4-drive cage that has an additional cooling fan to keep the extra drives well ventilated: http://www.caselabs-store.com/hdd-cage-assy-standard/ Depending on the motherboard you're using, it MAY even be possible to stack a 2nd one of the Caselabs cages ... bringing the drive total to 19.
garycase Posted October 4, 2015 Posted October 4, 2015 Another alternative is to simply use one or two 5-in-3 cages sitting beside your current case. You can run the cables through an unused slot in the back of your case.
hernandito Posted October 5, 2015 Author Posted October 5, 2015 Thank you guys... I was considering one of these: Nanoxia Deep Silence 6 http://www.amazon.com/Nanoxia-Silence-XL-ATX-Motherboard-Controllers/dp/B00DSFF93C It looks awfully cramped by where the power supply cords would be... also that second rack of drives do not have a fan spot for them. I would imagine those would run hot. With my 4 in 3 cage that would bring it to 17 drives. Anyone know anything about these cases? Another one that looks amazing is the Lian Li PC-D8000. But I am not sure how quiet it can be with lots of drives... and all those needed fans. http://www.amazon.com/Lian-Li-PC-D8000-Aluminum-Computer/dp/B009FOXOOG/ref=sr_1_8?s=pc&srs=2595427011&ie=UTF8&qid=1443995324&sr=1-8
garycase Posted October 5, 2015 Posted October 5, 2015 The DS6 looks nice -- it would indeed hold plenty of drives => 13 natively plus you have 4 5.25" bays that could hold up to 6 more drives (using 3-in-2 cages) or 5 more drives if you use your current 4-in-3 plus mount one drive in the remaining bay ... a total of 18 or 19 drives. The Lian-Li D8000 is indeed a SUPERB case ... I've used it a couple of times and recommended it to several others. It easily holds 20 drives natively ... the mounting/removing the drives is VERY simple => almost as easy as a hot-swap unit but with FAR better ventilation. If you use high quality low-noise fans (Noctua comes to mind) it's also reasonably quiet. You can also turn all 20 drive bays into hot-swap bays by adding the BP3SATA and BP2SATA adapters available from Lian-Li [~ $160 for enough for all 20 bays]. Neither of these cases, however fits your "somewhat inexpensive" criteria ... and I have to wonder if they will fit in your cabinet as well => especially the D8000.
WeeboTech Posted October 5, 2015 Posted October 5, 2015 The Fractal Design R4 is quiet. I have it in my living room and cannot hear it. There is sound dampening material in it. However the drive density is not there. Maybe one of the larger ones would suffice. Eventually I plan to migrate off the Fractal R4 to a iStar based case similar to the limetech AV/4 case. Just not as nice as that one. I started to migrating to the larger drives rather then increasing the amount of drives. I also separated drives into some of the HP Micro Servers based on importance and space around my apartment.
hernandito Posted October 5, 2015 Author Posted October 5, 2015 Thank you guys... I really appreciate all the advice. The Lian Li is enourmos and $$ and I cannot see needing to grow my array to 20 drives anytime soon. I would still need to spend another $120 on the Noctua fans. The DS6 is a nice alternative, and if possible, I could add another internal fan for the inner drive cage. The DS5 is like$100 cheaper... Have to give that some thought. I will report back and update when I take the plunge. Thanks again, H.
StevenD Posted October 5, 2015 Posted October 5, 2015 I started to migrating to the larger drives rather then increasing the amount of drives. I'm currently sitting at 13 4TB drives in my array and I'm just about out of space. There is no way in hell I'm buying Seagate SMR (or any Seagate drive for that matter) drives, so really, my only option is to start replacing drives with HGST 8TB Helium drives (at $0.068/GB) or build a second server with 6TB HGSTs. I'm still trying to decide which way to go. I really do not feel comfortable going past 12-13 data drives (I do have room for one more data drive if I forget about ever implementing dual-parity). Nor do I want a 24-bay 4U case that I cannot lift by myself. SuperMicro does make a 16-bay 3U case I'm looking at, but that does only buy me one more drive bay. But two more 4TB drive would get me through another year or so where I would then need to start upgrading drives, and hopefully prices will have dropped by then.
hernandito Posted October 5, 2015 Author Posted October 5, 2015 I started to migrating to the larger drives rather then increasing the amount of drives. I'm currently sitting at 13 4TB drives in my array and I'm just about out of space. There is no way in hell I'm buying Seagate SMR (or any Seagate drive for that matter) drives, so really, my only option is to start replacing drives with HGST 8TB Helium drives (at $0.068/GB) or build a second server with 6TB HGSTs. I'm still trying to decide which way to go. I really do not feel comfortable going past 12-13 data drives (I do have room for one more data drive if I forget about ever implementing dual-parity). Nor do I want a 24-bay 4U case that I cannot lift by myself. SuperMicro does make a 16-bay 3U case I'm looking at, but that does only buy me one more drive bay. But two more 4TB drive would get me through another year or so where I would then need to start upgrading drives, and hopefully prices will have dropped by then. Have you seen the links above to the Lian Li...? Also, The DS6 has capacity for about 17 drives using a hot-swap cage on the 5.25 drive bays.
StevenD Posted October 5, 2015 Posted October 5, 2015 I started to migrating to the larger drives rather then increasing the amount of drives. I'm currently sitting at 13 4TB drives in my array and I'm just about out of space. There is no way in hell I'm buying Seagate SMR (or any Seagate drive for that matter) drives, so really, my only option is to start replacing drives with HGST 8TB Helium drives (at $0.068/GB) or build a second server with 6TB HGSTs. I'm still trying to decide which way to go. I really do not feel comfortable going past 12-13 data drives (I do have room for one more data drive if I forget about ever implementing dual-parity). Nor do I want a 24-bay 4U case that I cannot lift by myself. SuperMicro does make a 16-bay 3U case I'm looking at, but that does only buy me one more drive bay. But two more 4TB drive would get me through another year or so where I would then need to start upgrading drives, and hopefully prices will have dropped by then. Have you seen the links above to the Lian Li...? Also, The DS6 has capacity for about 17 drives using a hot-swap cage on the 5.25 drive bays. I only buy rackmount servers. Thanks, though.
uldise Posted October 5, 2015 Posted October 5, 2015 I started to migrating to the larger drives rather then increasing the amount of drives. I'm currently sitting at 13 4TB drives in my array and I'm just about out of space. There is no way in hell I'm buying Seagate SMR (or any Seagate drive for that matter) drives, so really, my only option is to start replacing drives with HGST 8TB Helium drives (at $0.068/GB) or build a second server with 6TB HGSTs. I'm still trying to decide which way to go. I really do not feel comfortable going past 12-13 data drives (I do have room for one more data drive if I forget about ever implementing dual-parity). Nor do I want a 24-bay 4U case that I cannot lift by myself. SuperMicro does make a 16-bay 3U case I'm looking at, but that does only buy me one more drive bay. But two more 4TB drive would get me through another year or so where I would then need to start upgrading drives, and hopefully prices will have dropped by then. Have you seen the links above to the Lian Li...? Also, The DS6 has capacity for about 17 drives using a hot-swap cage on the 5.25 drive bays. I only buy rackmount servers. Thanks, though. Steven, have you mind about "OS drive mount bracket"? Norco cases have this one: http://www.ipcdirect.net/os-drive-bracket-for-rpc-4224-rpc-4220-rpc-4216-rpc-4116/ i have norco 4224, but have no access to this bracket, so i ordered something similar available at my country: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Icy-Box-IB-AC643-Internal-Mounting/dp/B00NPZR4YC need to drill some holes on fan bracket, some screws and that it is. this will free up two slots - both Esxi's SSDs. bracket is just sitting on my table now and waiting for me - will mount it in when i will have some more spare time
StevenD Posted October 5, 2015 Posted October 5, 2015 Steven, have you mind about "OS drive mount bracket"? Norco cases have this one: http://www.ipcdirect.net/os-drive-bracket-for-rpc-4224-rpc-4220-rpc-4216-rpc-4116/ i have norco 4224, but have no access to this bracket, so i ordered something similar available at my country: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Icy-Box-IB-AC643-Internal-Mounting/dp/B00NPZR4YC need to drill some holes on fan bracket, some screws and that it is. this will free up two slots - both Esxi's SSDs. bracket is just sitting on my table now and waiting for me - will mount it in when i will have some more spare time Thanks. I only want my drives up front and accessible. I'm going to watch drive prices this year and I will make a decision early next year. It also depends on whether or not we ever see dual parity. With dual-parity, I may feel comfortable running a 20+ drive array, and then I could just keep adding 4TB drives for a couple of years until higher density drives come down in price.
garycase Posted October 5, 2015 Posted October 5, 2015 ... I only buy rackmount servers I assume this means you have a nice rack ... so, coupled with your next comment ... ... I only want my drives up front and accessible. ... have you considered simply adding a 2nd case with 10-12 hot-swap drive bays? e.g. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIA0723572895 You could run breakout cables through unused slots ... and coupled with your other case would have support for a maxed out 24-drive array => but either case would still be "liftable" if necessary. I agree that with large arrays like that your comment r.e. dual parity is very valid ... ... It also depends on whether or not we ever see dual parity. With dual-parity, I may feel comfortable running a 20+ drive array ... But it's also clear that dual parity IS coming -- hopefully in v6.2. I don't know what the timing will be, but I don't anticipate it will be a long time ... I'd certainly hope to see it early next year. Agree that this will make larger arrays MUCH safer, since a 2nd drive loss during a drive rebuild won't cause any problems.
hernandito Posted October 5, 2015 Author Posted October 5, 2015 ... have you considered simply adding a 2nd case with 10-12 hot-swap drive bays? e.g. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIA0723572895 You could run breakout cables through unused slots ... and coupled with your other case would have support for a maxed out 24-drive array => but either case would still be "liftable" if necessary. Gary can you please elaborate what these break-out cables are... I have room for another mid-tower case... but not sure how I would add more drives and connect them to the main tower. Would I just need a case, power supply..? Thanks, H.
garycase Posted October 5, 2015 Posted October 5, 2015 You would simply mount the 2nd case in your rack either directly above or directly below your current chassis. You'd need the case, a power supply, and one of these: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817995089 [The function of that nifty little board is outlined nicely here: http://www.servethehome.com/supermicro-cse-ptjbod-cb1-jbod-power-board-diy-jbod-chassis-made-easy/ ] Then you simply need to run SATA cables from the drives to your main chassis (you'd likely need to add another controller card to get more SATA ports). You could run actual SATA cables, but if you're buying a card that uses breakout cables, where one line provides 4 SATA connections, it'd be a bit "neater" to just run 3 of those to provide connections for 12 drives. As long as your current setup has enough SATA ports -- or an available PCIe slot for another controller to provide those ports -- adding a 2nd chassis is a convenient way to add a bunch of drives without a major upgrade. Very easy to do when you're using rack-mount equipment.
garycase Posted October 5, 2015 Posted October 5, 2015 Just realized that you aren't the one who said you only use rack-mount cases ... but the concept is identical to what I just said. You could use a 2nd mid-tower case, the same Supermicro power board I noted, and simply add your drives to the other case -- running cables between them in exactly the same manner you'd do if you had rack-mount cases [the cases would simply be side-side instead of on top of each other. You could use a nifty little mini-ITX case with 8 hot-swap bays like the Silverstone DS380 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811163255
StevenD Posted October 5, 2015 Posted October 5, 2015 You would simply mount the 2nd case in your rack either directly above or directly below your current chassis. You'd need the case, a power supply, and one of these: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817995089 [The function of that nifty little board is outlined nicely here: http://www.servethehome.com/supermicro-cse-ptjbod-cb1-jbod-power-board-diy-jbod-chassis-made-easy/ ] Then you simply need to run SATA cables from the drives to your main chassis (you'd likely need to add another controller card to get more SATA ports). You could run actual SATA cables, but if you're buying a card that uses breakout cables, where one line provides 4 SATA connections, it'd be a bit "neater" to just run 3 of those to provide connections for 12 drives. As long as your current setup has enough SATA ports -- or an available PCIe slot for another controller to provide those ports -- adding a 2nd chassis is a convenient way to add a bunch of drives without a major upgrade. Very easy to do when you're using rack-mount equipment. Thanks! If we get dual-parity, it will certainly look at this option. I will just pick up another SC933 case.
hernandito Posted October 6, 2015 Author Posted October 6, 2015 Just realized that you aren't the one who said you only use rack-mount cases ... but the concept is identical to what I just said. You could use a 2nd mid-tower case, the same Supermicro power board I noted, and simply add your drives to the other case -- running cables between them in exactly the same manner you'd do if you had rack-mount cases [the cases would simply be side-side instead of on top of each other. You could use a nifty little mini-ITX case with 8 hot-swap bays like the Silverstone DS380 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811163255 Thank you Gary, very helpful... I will give all this some serious thought. A cable like this could be use to go from tower to mini tower... its 1 meter or 39" long. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16812117625&cm_re=breakout_cable-_-12-117-625-_-Product
c3 Posted October 6, 2015 Posted October 6, 2015 breakout cables are used to convert the 4-lane SAS ports to 4 individual SATA connections. http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Description=sas%20breakout&Submit=ENE However, depending on the distances, etc. I might recommend you locate a SAS expander in the second tower and just run a SAS cable or two between the two enclosures. This is how most JBOD disk enclosures are built. The SAS expander has a normal molex connector for power.
garycase Posted October 6, 2015 Posted October 6, 2015 A cable like this could be use to go from tower to mini tower... its 1 meter or 39" long. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16812117625&cm_re=breakout_cable-_-12-117-625-_-Product Yes, that would work nicely if you have a controller card that has SFF-8087 connections. And the length is easily enough for two cases sitting side-by-side. If you need standard SATA cables, you could simply use something like this: http://www.monoprice.com/product?p_id=8781 You could also use a SAS expander like C3 suggested, although if you have enough ports and the length isn't longer than 3' I'd just use the direct connections so you don't have to share the bandwidth. Especially if your controller has SFF-8087 connections, so you'd only need 3 cables running between the cases.
StevenD Posted October 6, 2015 Posted October 6, 2015 ... I only buy rackmount servers I assume this means you have a nice rack ... so, coupled with your next comment ...
garycase Posted October 6, 2015 Posted October 6, 2015 Yes, that definitely qualifies as a VERY "nice rack"
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