Need server with LOTS of drive bays....

[Compman55]

Posted this request in the networking forum and it was recommended to try here.

Looked at used servers on ebay and the prices are fair. $300 - 700. However what I am finding is that most servers that are 2U and have 12 bays, also have 3-4 nodes, which means max of 3 drives per node, and would require 3 -4 operating systems. What I am looking for is a 2 u server, max of 2 nodes, and about 12 bays that I can use all at once.

The goal is to stick with 1-2TB sata drives for cost savings, and be able to use them at once.

Prefer dell, hp, or supermicro but will certainly be interested in other suggestions. Also needs to support Server 2008 R2

Was looking at the dell poweredge c6100 server but requires 4 nodes to use 12 drives. Bummer.

 

[aigomorla]

i dont think u'll find it...

the 2U bay case alone even server pulls all for 300 at least with psu.

Even if u throw in old and decading hardware... like a C2Q series... its still going to hold a price tag.

You could just grab a C1100 (L5520 x 2) gut it out... and throw it on a norco case.
However i bet ud get REALLY close to 800 more so then 700.

<i actually thought it out...)
(norco 360 dollars... + C1100 ~ 350 dollars... Dell Perc H310 or IBM M1050 ~ 100 = 810 dollars... adding 90 more for accessories you might need to finish.) ~ 900 more realistically.

This is the norco

That is the cheapest and worthwhile solution to what ur asking that i have researched when i was in your shoes a couple of weeks ago.
You really dont want a C2Q... not unless ur room is cold and u need a heater.
The C1100 are CHEAP also... as i said u can find one for 350... however u can find one thats gutted.. missing drive cages... and other stuff... for cheaper.
The i7 L5520 is also a much better cpu then a C2Q.

 

[Compman55]

Why is this so cheap then?
http://www.ebay.com/itm/130963591882?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649

It has 12 bays and 2 nodes filled with hardware. Just limited to 3 drives per node unfortunatly.

 

[mfenn]

Why is this so cheap then?
http://www.ebay.com/itm/130963591882?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649

It has 12 bays and 2 nodes filled with hardware. Just limited to 3 drives per node unfortunatly.

Jesus Christ that is a good deal. I'm seriously considering buying one. I wonder if they're stolen?

Does the server have to be 2U, or can it be bigger? If it can be bigger, I suggest that you look for Sun Thumpers (aka SunFire X4500). The CPUs are kinda old at this point, but you get 48 drive bays in 4U.

If it has to be 2U, 12 3.5" bays are the most you're physically going to get. Look for Dell R510 or R515's with the 12-bay chassis (need to pay close attention since there is also an 8-bay chassis).

 

[Zap]

The goal is to stick with 1-2TB sata drives for cost savings, and be able to use them at once.

Why not get higher capacity drives? It may cost more $/GB, but you won't need a server with as many drive bays, so that may offset costs.

 

[aigomorla]

Dell PowerEdge C6100 XS24-SC2 3 Node Server 6x Intel Xeon L5420 36GB Server Rail

its a 3 node server with 3 system blades.

These type of systems are being pulled because they draw too much power for function.
This type of machine is used for heavy virtualization... it draws 3x the normal power on idle... and is VERY LOUD... cuz it has 3 nodes (entire server systems) with fans screaming..

Its not a efficient server for NAS / File Server Duty.. its not even an acceptable server for home usage unless everyone in your family VM's, or is into heavy rendering.
That sever is basically 3 x C1100 mashed together in a 2U... which to me.. is ... well... overkill on so many levels... its like u trying to compete against me in watercooling.

450 vs 800... the inital maybe cheaper.. however the upkeep on that unit... man... 3x the power draw on ANY single node server... thats what ur wanting to take home to bed with you tonight.

EDIT:
the L5420 is a Harpertown processor. Its not even nehaliem.
http://ark.intel.com/products/33929/

OP did u not listen to me when i said u didnt want to be on the LGA771 platform?

They are space heaters... having 6 of them... well... even at 50tdp... u have 6 of them... thats 300 tdp... thats more then the FX from AMD that we laugh about...

why is it so cheap? cuz its harpertown... and all the reasons i listed.
it sucks in Output... it sucks at power savings... its loud... and its OLD...

 

[Compman55]

Lets switch gears altogether.

How many SATA drives will a PERC 310 support? How do they connect? The two connectors look like SAS.

Secondly, I never have issues with the cpu or ram on my C2D based server. It is plently fast enough for the application I use it for. So I may consider using it and just slapping in another card.

 

[mfenn]

The PERC H310 will support 16 drives in RAID or 32 w/o RAID assuming you have the correct SAS expander setup. When using plain old SFF-8087 to SATA breakout cables, you will be limited to 8 drives.

 

[Compman55]

Another question.....will the dell C1100 server accept a perc H310 card, that way I can gut the chassis and install into an alternate case?

 

[Gunbuster]

Dell T620 (Can be ordered in rack config)

"Drive Bays Choose from eight 3.5&#8221; hot-swap drive bays plus four PCIe SSD drives (optional), twelve 3.5&#8221; hot-swap drive bays,sixteen 2.5&#8221; hot-swap drive bays plus four PCIe SSD drives (optional), or thirty-two 2.5&#8221; hot-swap drive bays"

 

[Compman55]

T620 is no where near my price range, even for bare bones.

 

[mfenn]

Another question.....will the dell C1100 server accept a perc H310 card, that way I can gut the chassis and install into an alternate case?

The C1100 mobo is completely proprietary, you can't transplant it.

By the way, you didn't answer my question about space requirements yet.

 

[Gunbuster]

T620 is no where near my price range, even for bare bones.

You might be surprised how much discount Dell will give you. Talk to a sales rep and find out. 30% or more off is not uncommon.

 

[Compman55]

The C1100 mobo is completely proprietary, you can't transplant it.

By the way, you didn't answer my question about space requirements yet.

Can be 2u or 4u doesn;t matter. The sun x4500 is a tad overkill as well. Looking for 8 to 12 bays.

 

[XavierMace]

What is the server actually going to be used for? Are you looking for the processing power of 3 computers? I only ask because you really only seem to be concerned about storage space.

 

[mfenn]

Can be 2u or 4u doesn;t matter. The sun x4500 is a tad overkill as well. Looking for 8 to 12 bays.

You don't have to fill up all the bays if you don't want to. And if I've learned anything as a sysadmin, there is never such a thing as too many drive bays.

Alternatively since space is not an issue, you might have better luck getting a cheap 1U server like you C1100, an external SAS card, and a 2U JBOD.

 

[Compman55]

You don't have to fill up all the bays if you don't want to. And if I've learned anything as a sysadmin, there is never such a thing as too many drive bays.

Alternatively since space is not an issue, you might have better luck getting a cheap 1U server like you C1100, an external SAS card, and a 2U JBOD.

I like your second option. Can you recommand a sas card and 2U JBOD? My mobo only supports PCI express 2.0 unfortunatly.

 

[mfenn]

I like your second option. Can you recommand a sas card and 2U JBOD? My mobo only supports PCI express 2.0 unfortunatly.

Don't worry, there are no PCIe 3.0 SAS cards that I know of (not that it would matter if there were).

LSI SAS HBA (HP rebrand) $58
Promise 2U 12 drive SAS 3Gb/s JBOD $620 BIN
SAS 3Gb/s cable $33

The SAS HBA I picked out is strictly an HBA, it doesn't have any significant RAID capabilities. RAID cards are definitely available, they just cost more. A side benefit to using an external JBOD is that you can move the HBA to another server if you want to upgrade.

 

[Compman55]

What is the server actually going to be used for? Are you looking for the processing power of 3 computers? I only ask because you really only seem to be concerned about storage space.

Windows 2008 R2, active directory, DNS, and most importantly folder redirection and offline file sync. Basically so everthying gets backed up in all of my folders. It is working well so far, just running out of room.

At some point I would like IP security cameras, and that recording I hear takes up space.

 

[tomt4535]

Why not grab a MSA60 or MSA70 on ebay? They can be had for around $100-125ish. Grab an HP P800 or any SAS RAID card with external SAS ports, and a cheap 1U server and off you go.

 

[mfenn]

Why not grab a MSA60 or MSA70 on ebay? They can be had for around $100-125ish. Grab an HP P800 or any SAS RAID card with external SAS ports, and a cheap 1U server and off you go.

See above. That's an awesome find on the JBODs, I didn't realize refurb HP's were so cheap!

 

[Compman55]

Wow, that is an awsome deal, thanks for that.

Lastly what do you think about this 2U strorage server:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/12-Bay-Chen...004867?pt=COMP_EN_Servers&hash=item20d61a5ac3

 

[mfenn]

That particular one has ended, but the specs and configuration doesn't look bad.

 

[Compman55]

They had 6 avail. Was a little concerned with the fact I can find no info at all on the motherboard. In which updating the firmware will be tough, and finding the drivers will be impossible. What do you think?

 

[mfenn]

It looks like a very standard Intel server with an LSI RAID card. Drivers should be readily available from the component manufacturers.