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Would like to put together storage server -- want SMALL chassis

I

ice91785

Senior member
I would like to put together a storage server for my movies, music etc....

I have Windows Home Server already so I am set there but I would like possible solutions for something as small as possible but still having support for 3 or more 3.5" HDDs (SATA)

Any barebone ideas? Otherwise could you post some configurations of builds I could look further into (mobos and cases mostly)

Thanks guys/gals!
 
It would work...but they are a bit spendy for my tastes; I would prefer to keep it all under $300-ish if possible
 
A bit spendy, but Chenbro makes some mini ITX server cases. You can put in a cheap Intel Atom board with a PCI GBe and hold four drives in the more expensive case.
 
Originally posted by: Zap
A bit spendy, but Chenbro makes some mini ITX server cases. You can put in a cheap Intel Atom board with a PCI GBe and hold four drives in the more expensive case.
Click to expand...

I had my eye on the ES34069 before I decided 2 drives was enough for me and went with an MSI wind desktop barebones for my WHS box. The Chenbro sure would've been nice, though, closest thing to the HP WHS servers in a homebuilt version I've seen.
 
As far as pre-built NAS I would need at LEAST 1.5TB or more (I have 1TB that is almost full). That said, its kinda why I am lookin for a box that can hold a few 3.5" 1TB drives perhaps (Probably a RAID setup...)

The ES34069 looks awesome but its WAAAY too much for just a case 🙁

Its really close to (right on actually) what I am lookin for though...thanks Zap; keep it comin'

 
You could also look at a small, inexpensive case/barebones that only houses one or two drives internally, but has eSATA available. Then you could add an eSATA enclosure later (or from the get-go). IcyDock makes some nice ones. This is my only gripe with my Wind box, no eSATA and no way to add it (unless someone makes a mini PCI-e eSATA adapter). I'm stuck with replacing my internal drives or adding USB drives to expand storage.
 
I had though of this also and it is feasible...but I am attempting to be as discrete as I can (probably end up tucking the thing behind my LCD or similiar; if I have an ext hdd then it just is one more thing i have to try to "hide..."
 
So I am starting to think that if i want a SFF or mITX case....I will have to settle with having only 2 drives in it 🙁

(thanks for the link mxnerd)
 
That's basically the same conclusion I came to when building mine. If you find something with space for more than 2 drives, definitely update your post, I'm always intersted in what's out there.
 
I am thinkin I might go with what mxnerd posted and possibly use Intel's DG45FC mobo (have it in my HTPC and LOVE IT) -- I will probably ghetto-rig it to fit at LEAST 3 drives in there (as long as i believe!!)

With my HTPC I actually had to velcro drives in it to make it work -- but they were 2.5" drives so this is a bit different; although my server will not have a BD-ROM like my HTPC so I will have extra room......

When is the release date for 1TB 2.5" drives anyway?😛
 
I think I would be fine with a low-end CPU, 1GB RAM and onboard video -- these would hit maybe 60W with a load (approximately) so plenty of room for HDDs....especially seeing as the machine will never really be under any kind of load
 
Holy crap! that is an awesome price!! ...I might just actually dive into this...however it doesn't say the max. support per expansion bay? (I don't know if that means there is no limit or what...)

I would love to grab that and throw in 3 1TB drives
 
Originally posted by: ice91785
Holy crap! that is an awesome price!! ...I might just actually dive into this...however it doesn't say the max. support per expansion bay? (I don't know if that means there is no limit or what...)

I would love to grab that and throw in 3 1TB drives
Click to expand...

Yeah, it's a good deal. During the holidays, various retailers were selling new MSSes for around that price...might want to hunt around and see if there are still any deals out there for new ones. The new models are out now, so places might be clearing these older models out. I haven't heard of many problems at all with the hardware, I'd be comfortable buying a refurb, personally.

A few things about the MSS, if you're not familiar with them:

1) AFAIK, it supports 1.5TB SATA drives, so you'd be good with 3x 1TB drives, plus room to grow. I wouldn't doubt it supports larger drives as they come down the pike.
2) There is no video out of any sort on the box...it is totally headless. There is a guy who makes custom VGA outs for it that connect to a header on the motherboard if you absolutely need a monitor on it. Also, people are considering those new little usb secondary monitors...but I'm not sure they work without a "real" main monitor. Have to wait to see once they are more widely available.
3) The box is pretty anemic for anything other than serving files, backup, and remote access...so if you want to use it for any transcoding or other beefy tasks, you'll definitely want to upgrade the ram and maybe the processor. The case is obviously very different from others, but there are guides on how to crack it open, looks pretty easy.

Also, let me throw out a couple more sites I visit regularly for WHS news/tips/hacks:

http://www.wegotserved.co.uk
http://www.homeserverhacks.com
http://www.mswhs.com
 
The refurbished HP EX470 is 500GB, not 1.5TB. Plus, no video and no PCI expansion (maybe one?)

with $379, it's not cheap.

with that money, you can assemble your own low power server, but a real computer.

Buy a barebone AMD computer (probably ASUS, which has more expansion space than Shuttle), throw in low-power BE-series CPU, add 2GB RAM, and put the drives you want and install WHS.

Not as good looking as HP. But it depends what you really needs.
 
Originally posted by: mxnerd
The refurbished HP EX470 is 500GB, not 1.5TB. Plus, no video.

with $379, it's not cheap.

with that money, you can assemble your own low power server, but a real computer.
Click to expand...
Yes, it is 500gb. Don't know where you pulled 1.5TB from. I pointed out the lack of video in my post above. It is meant to be headless. I haven't had a monitor connected to my WHS box since assembly, personally.

Please let us know how to build a system with 4x hot swap sata trays in a similar form factor, including WHS license for around $379.
 
Originally posted by: loup garou
Originally posted by: mxnerd
The refurbished HP EX470 is 500GB, not 1.5TB. Plus, no video.

with $379, it's not cheap.

with that money, you can assemble your own low power server, but a real computer.
Click to expand...
Yes, it is 500gb. Don't know where you pulled 1.5TB from.

Please let us know how to build a system with 4x hot swap sata trays in a similar form factor, including WHS license for around $379.
Click to expand...

You did mention EX470 supports 1.5TB, I thought you meant it has 1.5TB

And you are right. with $379 I can't assemble a server with 4 hot swap drives. But I already meantioned that it depends what OP really need. Not everyone need hot swappable drives.

I'm sorry that I did not make it clear that my previous post is for OP.

 
Originally posted by: mxnerd
Originally posted by: loup garou
Originally posted by: mxnerd
The refurbished HP EX470 is 500GB, not 1.5TB. Plus, no video.

with $379, it's not cheap.

with that money, you can assemble your own low power server, but a real computer.
Click to expand...
Yes, it is 500gb. Don't know where you pulled 1.5TB from.

Please let us know how to build a system with 4x hot swap sata trays in a similar form factor, including WHS license for around $379.
Click to expand...

You did mention EX470 supports 1.5TB, I thought you meant it has 1.5TB

And you are right. with $379 I can't assemble a server with 4 hot swap drives. But I already meantioned that it depends what OP really need. Not everyone need hot swappable drives.

I'm sorry that I did not make it clear that my previous post is for OP.
Click to expand...

No problem, I see what you meant now. What I meant is that it supports 1.5TB drives in each of its trays, for a total of 6TB of storage (yow!). I'm sure HP will support upcoming larger drives with it as well.

The problem is he wants something both small, and with a good amount of expansion...I was in the same boat a couple of months ago. Really, the only options are the HP MSS, the Tranquil SQA-5H (squash server, even more expensive), or a homebuild with the Chenbro linked earlier in the thread (also expensive). There are a couple more boxes unveiled at CES this year with similar specs, too. Aside from these, the best you can do is a large/possibly loud/possibly power hungry system with lots of expansion, rig up something like the K45 you posted with more drives than it really should support, or live with a 2-drive system with something like the K45 or Wind, like I did. It's kind of frustrating.
 
I'm in the same boat too. It's like a torn between two lovers.

Maybe only when 2.5" SSD is as cheap and the capacity as large as 3.5 HD, that's the time when everyone don't have to struggle.
 
Originally posted by: loup garou
1) AFAIK, it supports 1.5TB SATA drives, so you'd be good with 3x 1TB drives, plus room to grow. I wouldn't doubt it supports larger drives as they come down the pike.
2) There is no video out of any sort on the box...it is totally headless. There is a guy who makes custom VGA outs for it that connect to a header on the motherboard if you absolutely need a monitor on it. Also, people are considering those new little usb secondary monitors...but I'm not sure they work without a "real" main monitor. Have to wait to see once they are more widely available.
3) The box is pretty anemic for anything other than serving files, backup, and remote access...so if you want to use it for any transcoding or other beefy tasks, you'll definitely want to upgrade the ram and maybe the processor. The case is obviously very different from others, but there are guides on how to crack it open, looks pretty easy.
Click to expand...

to your 2nd point -- I have to laugh at people that are actually irratated there is not a video out; its a friggin server/NAS!!! What would be the point? Bottom line: isn't going to be an issue...

to your 3rd point -- again its a server! haha I plan on using it as such...I have a HTPC and a desktop already so I have those should I need to transcode or render any videos....

Originally posted by: mxnerd
with that money, you can assemble your own low power server, but a real computer.

Buy a barebone AMD computer (probably ASUS, which has more expansion space than Shuttle), throw in low-power BE-series CPU, add 2GB RAM, and put the drives you want and install WHS.

Not as good looking as HP. But it depends what you really needs.
Click to expand...

As much as that may sound like a good solution -- it just isnt for me. As the title says, I need SMALL chassis with room for expansion of up to 3+ 3.5" drives....

If I do a custom build (which would normally be fine) I would have either (a) small chassis and sleek but no room for the hard drives to put in .... or (b) plenty of room for 3+ hard drives but definitely not as small as I would like

In short something like this is pretty much straight up my alley

 
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