Smallest mATX case with 8x3.5 (plus a couple 2.5" spots for SSDs)? Prefer hot swap...

[destrekor]

I'll accept a mITX case with 8 bays if I end up choosing an mITX board, but so far the Xeon D board I'm leaning toward is a FlexATX board - the worst damn size because no good case takes advantage of its smallness so you have to size up to uATX/mATX cases.

I'd definitely prefer a hot swap case with backplane for the simplicity and peace of mind that the front panel activity lights would provide for easy identification if/when I have to deal with a bad drive.

If I absolutely have to go Micro ATX, and there isn't a good case with native hot-swap or even converted hot-swap with 5.25" bays used, then what is your favorite case with 8+ internal bays? Bonus points if it makes removing and replacing SATA disks a piece of cake while the system remains on.

I've heard a lot of good things about the Node 804. I have the Node 304 for an HTPC and think it's a terrific case, but even if I were set for a 6 disk NAS, I can't imagine using that case - working with the internal bays is far from quick and easy, but it certainly is a great design when it comes to regular desktop-type purposes, minimizing space but cramming so much in there in an effective manner. From what I can tell the 804 seems a little easier to work in due to the extra room and partitioned design.

But beyond that case, and especially focusing on hot-swap potential... is there anything that fits the bill?

And for mITX cases with hot-swap, what appears to be the better 8-bay system, the UNAS 8-bay or the Silverstone DS380?

 

[dave_the_nerd]

+1 for the Node 804.

But if you want a hot-swap case with those 4-in-3 bay adapters, you're probably looking at a full tower ATX case. Those can add up to a fair chunk of money, too.

The reviews I read of the DS380 tended to be somewhat ambivalent about the hot swap caddies - I guess they kinda cheaped out. Otherwise, the reviews were complimentary.

The anandtech review of the UNAS one also seemed ambivalent - the CPU and motherboard struck me as kind of absurdly high, even they were within spec.

 

[MrTeal]

Where exactly are you planning on mounting this, and is it something that needs a high WAF?
If it just needs to be tucked somewhere in a tight space, why not look at picking up a 2U rack chassis? The volume probably wouldn't be any bigger than a mATX case (it would probably be half the volume of something like a Node 804), and it'd be easier to hotswap drives in that than any mATX case.

 

[destrekor]

Where exactly are you planning on mounting this, and is it something that needs a high WAF?
If it just needs to be tucked somewhere in a tight space, why not look at picking up a 2U rack chassis? The volume probably wouldn't be any bigger than a mATX case (it would probably be half the volume of something like a Node 804), and it'd be easier to hotswap drives in that than any mATX case.

Ha, I've got bachelor status, no need for WAF. :awe:

But if I end up getting an mITX board, I'd definitely like to get the smallest but still cooling-efficient case I can. Small is nice.

But in the end, if not at the time I assemble the server then down the road, I'll get a small rack to mount various things, either directly or on shelves. For sure the server, be it a rackmount or just a small case, will go in the rack in some fashion. I'd like a rackmount switch, especially if I need to get a basic model with 10GbE SFP+.

So I'm not against a 2U chassis with hot swap, but I am trying to weigh my options. The pain with the 2U chassis is, if it has hot swap, they tend to not have mount points for 2.5" SSDs. I'll likely go with a SuperDOM module for the host data, at least if I can figure out a reliable way to run backups on the host OS. I'm likely not going to mirror the host installation simply because I really do not want to have to get two RAID controllers, especially because it seems ESXi is very fickle about which controller you get.

But a 2U server, depending on depth, may have a similar volume to most mATX cases, but it also has a massive footprint in comparison. Granted, so does a rack, so perhaps that shouldn't be a big concern.

But until I get a rack, my AV equipment will remain under the TV, so that's two places where a lot of big equipment will remain. Once I can centralize all the equipment and get them mounted in the rack and on shelves in the rack, then I can get things much tidier.

 

[destrekor]

What kind of opinions does anyone have regarding Chenbro?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Chenbro-2U-...332765?hash=item27fe5e889d:g:kMMAAOSwBLlVcHdH

 

[frowertr]

Destrekor,

What is your budget for the system without drives? So RAM, CPU, MB, case, etc...

 

[aigomorla]

What kind of opinions does anyone have regarding Chenbro?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Chenbro-2U-...332765?hash=item27fe5e889d:g:kMMAAOSwBLlVcHdH

there actually a very good company... they do some OEM stuff for supermicro even.

 

[destrekor]

there actually a very good company... they do some OEM stuff for supermicro even.

Cool - good to know!

Destrekor,

What is your budget for the system without drives? So RAM, CPU, MB, case, etc...

It's a floating budget right now, but I'd like to stick to between $1000-1500 max before drives.

I've been trying to narrow down what will be best for everything other than the base Xeon D platform package, and how much I can get it for, to determine what my final budget is for the motherboard.

I'm looking at about $850ish for 8x 3TB WD Reds.

 

[frowertr]

I'd recommend checking out www.xbyte.com and www.thinkmate.com. Both are heavily used as vendors in IT consulting services for the SMB workplace. Xbyte is refurb servers that come at a fraction of the cost of new. Thinkmate are all new servers which are Supermicro. Both companies fully support and warranty what they sell and you can actually call and talk to them on the phone which is nice. I havent bought a new server from HP or Dell in years because you just don't get any bang for your buck when comparing them to these two companies. I am a major fan of Supermicro. They make a great kit. You will get full headless support with both Supermicro and Dell using IPMI and iDRAC respectively.

I only mention these two vendors so you don't have to worry about building out your VM host and getting all the parts to place nice with one another. Especially since you are wanting to use vSphere you are going to have to make sure that all your hardware is on their HCL or you will have problems. It would be much easier (and cheaper going with a refurb from Xbyte) to call them up and tell them you are looking for a 2U with 8 3.5" drive bays that is compatible with vSphere. I bet you can get one from Xbyte for under $1k and a new Supermicro from Thinkmate for around $1500.

Food for thought.

 

[destrekor]

It's a good thought, but I don't think that will be a good fit in my case, as I am concerned with power use. I can budget the parts, but I still want to keep monthly electric bills as low as possible. I'll be investing in other ways to lower electric use in time when I can.

Sure I can pay 1500 for a server with a lot of computer capability, but it will cost far more in electricity in comparison to if I spent the same and built it myself with Xeon D.

I appreciate the input, most certainly, but I don't think a refurb server is what I'm looking for at this point in time.

Maybe a few years down the road, but not right now.

 

[frowertr]

Xbyte will have tons of single CPU server offerings. But I get wanting to save the most wattage you can for home use.

 

[destrekor]

Xbyte will have tons of single CPU server offerings. But I get wanting to save the most wattage you can for home use.

No doubt, and I will definitely bookmark those sites for future reference. Once I'm at a far more comfortable financial point and can afford to build up a more serious server rack and virtual lab environment, I'll certainly invest more in the equipment that will help most.

I can't thank you enough -- and everyone else in this and my past few threads -- for all the thoughtful answers and clarification you have provided.

While not all of the suggestions are necessarily best for the immediate future, they are most certainly helpful in the long run. And if not for me, I am sure others, be they regulars here or folks searching online, will find better direction thanks to the many insights offered. But I definitely think that in the relatively nearish future, I'll take advantage of what y'all have provided.

 

[Noo]

Lian li q26. It's made specifically with your idea in mind. Mini itx, 10 hot swappable hdd bay. Small as hell. But it's pricey.