*update question*Out of physical space in this case... what is the next step?

[Spac3d]

I know the topic sounds weird but...I have a Chieftec case that is full with no slots left. I have an Antec TruPower480 watt psu with all connections used and 3 y power splitters. This case is at its limits right about now, and I need more harddrives.

I have a couple extra cases with power supplies and I have an old machine which is now available for use (500 P3 Xeon).

Is it possible to hook up harddrives in another case with just a powersupply and have some sort of data connection (long ide cable) between the 2 machines? Or will I have to have a complete independent machine and have to use some sort of networking?

The goal of this project is increase my case room signicantly without loosing any speed, if possible. I guess the easy way would be to hook up two seperate machines using my 10/100 switch, but I was wondering if I could use my USB2.0 or Firewire connections to my advantage. If I was able to use either of those technologies, would it be any faster than a 100mbit switched network? How fast will a patch cable connect at?

A full case is not an option because they are so damn ugly and they don't fit underneath my desk

Thanks

*update* I was talking to a friend of mine and he said I should get a couple of the Intel's giganics (1000mbit nics for $42) and just have a crossover cable hookup up the two machines. Does this sound like the best solution yet? Is it possible? I have yet to try hooking up 2 machines with a crossover cable, but it would then be my hardrives (WD Special edition 8mb cache and a 10,000rpm SCSI hd)*/update*

Spac3d

 

[MikeMike]

i know most servers use something like this, but i dont know about IDE drives so you could see what other people say

 

[mechBgon]

Originally posted by: Spac3d
I know the topic sounds weird but...I have a Chieftec case that is full with no slots left. I have an Antec TruPower480 watt psu with all connections used and 3 y power splitters. This case is at its limits right about now, and I need more harddrives.

I have a couple extra cases with power supplies and I have an old machine which is now available for use (500 P3 Xeon).

Is it possible to hook up harddrives in another case with just a powersupply and have some sort of data connection (long ide cable) between the 2 machines? Or will I have to have a complete independent machine and have to use some sort of networking?

The goal of this project is increase my case room signicantly without loosing any speed, if possible. I guess the easy way would be to hook up two seperate machines using my 10/100 switch, but I was wondering if I could use my USB2.0 or Firewire connections to my advantage. If I was able to use either of those technologies, would it be any faster than a 100mbit switched network? How fast will a patch cable connect at?

A full case is not an option because they are so damn ugly and they don't fit underneath my desk

Thanks

Spac3d

You need Ultra160 LVD SCSI. 12-meter cables sound long enough? 14 drives per cable sound adequate? That, or just get bigger drives... or a taller desk

Alternately, you could put a gigabit NIC in your Xeon and your other rig, link them with a crossover cable, and share the drives. That would give you plenty of speed.

 

[mechBgon]

This might also work for you if it's not too tall: Lian Li PC-76

 

[chizow]

How about one of those server cubes or like you mentioned a USB 2 or Firewire enclosure?

Chiz

 

[everman]

There are cases that are double wide so they can fit more internal drives, maybe something like that. Or you may just want to go and get a 200GB HD or 2...or more depends how much HD space you need.

 

[Bovinicus]

I would suggest getting a USB/Firewre hub and several USB/Firewire HDDs to go along with it. That seems like the easiest way to go about it. Plus, you can always take them to friend's houses and transfer the information to computers which aren't connected to yours via a network.

 

[chizow]

Here's the one I meant to link to, but the link was down before

Fisher posted the link and picked one up, so you might want to PM him to see how he likes it

Chiz

 

[Spac3d]

Thanks for the replies guys. The reason I didn't want a full tower is because I am going to have to have multiple powersupplies. That is pretty messy

I might have to try with those giganic's, then I should be running at 100mb switches I think newegg.com had some intel giganic's for cheap. I have only 6 harddrives right now, but will have at least 2 more by the end of the year.

The firewire idea is interesting, I never thought of that. I might buy a 200gb drive, throw it into a firewire enclosure and that could keep me okay for now.. BTW, this Xeon machine has a SCSI2 UW 10,000RPM hd with some sort of harddrive caching system of 16mb mmm delicious!

Thanks for all of the ideas.

Spac3d

 

[PCMarine]

Yea, I would just recommend a huge full-tower server case

 

[Spac3d]

I was talking to a friend of mine and he said I should get a couple of the Intel's giganics (1000mbit nics for $42) and just have a crossover cable hookup up the two machines. Does this sound like the best solution yet? Is it possible? I have yet to try hooking up 2 machines with a crossover cable, but it would then be my hardrives (WD Special edition 8mb cache and a 10,000rpm SCSI hd)

Spac3d