While trying to design a very small form factor "cube like" unRaid server with removable/upgradable drives,  I had a thought.

 

Is it possible to use unRaid on an infranet ReadyNAS device ?

Is it possible to partner with Infranet to create an addon unRaid layered product to the ReadyNAS ?

 

There are times when I want striping and times when I don't.

It's mostly about backups and segregating the data.

It's certainly easier to upgrade a volume and then purchase the exact same disk to use as an offsite backup.

 

 

Infrant uses a proprietary CPU/architecture so I don't think so... unless you somehow where able to talk Tom into recompiling Unraid for this specifically. Not worth it. I too am interested in doing a small (ssf) box implementation, it will be based on a generic x86. Whats currently missing is finding a mini ITX board (or nano ITX) with 4 onboard SATA ports, 5 ports would be optimal but I just don't see a product like that appearing anytime soon.

I too am interested in doing a small (ssf) box implementation, it will be based on a generic x86. Whats currently missing is finding a mini ITX board (or nano ITX) with 4 onboard SATA ports, 5 ports would be optimal but I just don't see a product like that appearing anytime soon.

 

Commell LV-674 Pentium D Mini-ITX Mainboard

http://www.logicsupply.com/product_info.php/products_id/489

Also

http://www.commell.com.tw/product/SBC/LV-672.HTM

http://www.commell.com.tw/product/IPC/CMB-672.HTM

 

 

I was going to use this but could not find a satisfactory small form factor case that can handle the 4 drives.

If you find one, Please update me.

 

I ended up building a CMB-673. What a great machine!

 

It has a PCIe slot, so I was thinking of adding a PCIe eSata card and using a SansDigital MSUM

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16816111025

 

This would have allowed maximum expandibility to 8 externally accesible drives + 2 internal.

But I actually use my cmb-673 for nagios monitoring, dhcp, dns, syslog consolidation, php-syslog, snort, and backup storage with hdup & rdiff.

So,the unraid OS was a little too sparse for me to use.

 

If unRaid were just an RPM Driver install using a boot flash as a key check, I would be all over it.

(I still may consider it in the future).

 

For the record

CMB-673

http://www.commell.com.tw/Product/IPC/CMB-673(NS).HTM

and

http://www.commell.com.tw/Product/IPC.htm

 

 

How are your dremel skills? 

 

Mashie did this a long time ago... his is SFF HW based RAID5, but with Unraid it doesn't have to be.

 

http://www.mashie.org/casemods/udat1.html

http://www.epiacenter.com/modules.php?name=Content&pa=showpage&pid=56&page=2

 

He uses a Morex Venus CP668 case and does some surgery to excavate another 5" slot, and then installs a 5 to 3 HDD mobile rack.

 

E.g.,

 

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817121403

 

or 4 to 3:

 

http://www.plinkusa.net/webBP-SATA3141B.htm

 

 

Issues as I see them:

 

 

1. "Surgery"

2. Total price

 

 

What would be optimal is a VIA EPIA based system... they are relatively cheap, but then there are possible chipset compatibility issues w/ UNRAID, and also lack of 4 SATA ports (or am I wrong?). As far as cases, the casetronic Model 2215 seems to be a Morex Venus CP668 rebadge (or vice versa), alternatively a micro atx tower" can be a slightly larger option, with cheaper MB options...something like: http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=2448885&CatId=1508. It would be nice to know were Infrant sources their cases  .

 

The Readynas is a good product, and if you buy barebones on EBAY or elsewhere you're just not going to build something cheaper... (barebones is about $550) esp with a Commell board (they are good but expensive). Do the tally, & please tell me if I'm wrong.