SCSI/RAID drive help

[Topochocolate]

(Hopefully this is in the "correct" forum)

Hey guys, I'm hoping someone out there can point me in a better direction than I'm currently in. I recently acquired an IBM x342 server, however it has no RAM nor any HDD's. I honestly do not know much about SCSI drives, or RAID for that matter. Anyway, this is basically my dilemma.

I've been searching around ebay for the last few days, not sure what I need but just looking at the prices for things. Ultimately I want to try and use this box as a networking server for my desktop, laptop, and my emulator box. I just don't know what to do about the HDD situation. There are 3 bays in this thing, should I run an SCSI HDD in each bay, and control them via RAID? I was told doing this requires me to run RAID5, and that will basically eliminate the HDD space of the 3rd drive(?) Should/can I run just a single SCSI drive? Or should I just use an SCSI-to-IDE adapter and use a regular run-of-the-mill HDD?

Much appreciation to anyone that can offer me some good insight on this!

 

[Topochocolate]

I really hate to bump my own post, but I really need some assistance on this. Anyone out there have any experience with this and or general knowledge? Or perhaps a suggestion for a forum that may be better populated to help me with this? Thank you.

 

[Fullmetal Chocobo]

First question, is what do you want to do with this server? Did you happen to acquire it, and are now wanting to put it to work? If so, then second question--what do you plan to do with it? File server, network applications, rendering, music / video server, SETI cruncher (hehe), what? Because what you do with it will affect how you will do your storage system, thus your RAID array.

What exactly does the server have in it now? You say it has no RAM or hard drives--does the motherboard have IDE, SATA, or SCSI connections? If you are only going to be running 3 drives on the server, you will likely be able to connect them to the motherboard. As as long as the machine is of a newer chipset, then it will likely do RAID onboard, if necessary... But that, once again, depends upon what you want to do with your machine.

Using 3 drives does not require you to do RAID. You can do a variety of RAID configurations, although RAID 5 usually makes the most sense. Some of the hard core folks might argue, but I would advice not getting into SCSI if you don't have too... SCSI is more complicated than IDE and SATA, although much faster once you get into the upper echelon of drives. I would definitely stay away from any IDE->SCSI converters, are they are usually for emergency use only (IE drive crashes, and you need the data off of it). I have never seen them recommended for normal use, especially in the server area.

I have a very good link for RAID information at home--I'll post it later when I get off work.

 

[SuperNaruto]

It also depends on what controller is in there.. sometimes it might be just scsi and no raid..


http://cgi.ebay.com/IBM-X342-TYPE-8669-...5QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

check out that auction and see ifyou have something similar to that

that one has a "IBM SERVERAID 4L CONTROLLER" which will do raid.. otherwise it's probably just SCSI

 

[Topochocolate]

Originally posted by: Fullmetal Chocobo
First question, is what do you want to do with this server? Did you happen to acquire it, and are now wanting to put it to work? If so, then second question--what do you plan to do with it? File server, network applications, rendering, music / video server, SETI cruncher (hehe), what? Because what you do with it will affect how you will do your storage system, thus your RAID array.

What exactly does the server have in it now? You say it has no RAM or hard drives--does the motherboard have IDE, SATA, or SCSI connections? If you are only going to be running 3 drives on the server, you will likely be able to connect them to the motherboard. As as long as the machine is of a newer chipset, then it will likely do RAID onboard, if necessary... But that, once again, depends upon what you want to do with your machine.

Using 3 drives does not require you to do RAID. You can do a variety of RAID configurations, although RAID 5 usually makes the most sense. Some of the hard core folks might argue, but I would advice not getting into SCSI if you don't have too... SCSI is more complicated than IDE and SATA, although much faster once you get into the upper echelon of drives. I would definitely stay away from any IDE->SCSI converters, are they are usually for emergency use only (IE drive crashes, and you need the data off of it). I have never seen them recommended for normal use, especially in the server area.

I have a very good link for RAID information at home--I'll post it later when I get off work.

It was basically handed to me by a friend. His company was closing one of their shops, and they were literally just throwing stuff like this away. He snagged 2 and gave me one.

Ultimately I just wanna use it as a file/networking server between my desktop, laptop, and my emulator box.

Everything in the box looks like it's in good working order. It's a dual PIII, it's got a bay in the front for 3 HDD's, at the back of the bay is a backplate of what looks like 3 80 pin SCSI connectors, the opposite side of this plate has a power connection going to it, and what looks like an 80 pin ribbon that goes to a connection on the board next to the IDE connections. It did not have any RAM in it, however I found 4 sticks of 256 ECC registered DIMM IBM compatible on ebay for like $80.

An thanks for the replies guys, I've been having a really hard time finding help with this thing!

 

[Fullmetal Chocobo]

Okay, cool. Are you going to e putting essential files on there? If so, then you might consider getting a RAID controller for redundancy. If not, then grab some hds, and toss them in there. Make sure you put some DC programs on that thing as well. My p3 dually seemed to like SIMAP a whole lot.

 

[Topochocolate]

Awesome, thanks for your help!