Rackmount Hardware for unRaid Server
#1
Hey guys,

So in the not too distant future, I'm going to be shifting from a WHS based server platform to an unRaid Server (I'm about to hit the max capacity given the number of SATA ports I can use in my HP EX490 Nerd).

I'm also considering shifting my hardware to some kind of rack mount setup. I've seen plenty of DIY rackmount systems, and seen some used ones being sold for relatively inexpensive prices online, so I think that's the route I'm going to go.

Anyway I'm hoping to find a motherboard and rackmount case where I can fit ~15 hard drives or so in. They don't need to be hot swapable, but it's not a downside if they are (makes my life a bit easier I suppose).

I haven't seen a motherboard that can support that number of drives without an array of controllers attached. Any suggestions?
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#2
I have a good bit of experience in colocation environments and there are a few ways to accomplish what you're looking for, however i don't believe there are any motherboards with 15 sata headers onboard. You're most likely going to need at least a 3u case with a port multiplying backplane, this can be done in a 2u case however you'll be limited to 2.5" drives which i doubt you want. In general these do not come very cheap, although that is a subjective term when comparing home and enterprise grade hardware Laugh

Because you're looking to run unRAID i'll assume that speed and total data security aren't huge factors, this is just to store tons of streamable media.

Here is an example of a supermicro chassis that can handle your requirements:

http://www.supermicro.com/products/chass...1-R710.cfm

The backplane has 4x mini-sas (SFF-8087) inputs which multiply to support all 16 drives, unfortunately that is a $1300 case and i'm unsure of your total budget, also you will need a controller with mini-sas support for 16 drives, or 2x 8 drive controllers.

If you're looking to save some money and do more of a roll your own solution it's going to be far, far cheaper to go with a larger 4u or even 5u case, a motherboard with as many onboard sata ports as you can find and toss in a cheap 4-port pci-e sata controller for use with unRAID.

This case comes to mind:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as...6811219034

That case also has a 4x mini-sas port multiplying backplane which you can use 2x of something like this as a sata controller because you will be running unRAID anyways http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as...6816115100

Or you can just bypass the backplane entirely if you prefer and find a motherboard with as many sata ports onboard as possible, however you will likely need at least one additional 4x port sata adapter which can be had for cheap: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as...Y-PEX40008
Backblaze has a great blog entry about this topic with a hardware table towards the bottom which should be a pretty solid base to pick and chose from http://blog.backblaze.com/2011/07/20/pet...e-secrets/

As a side note, i've been doing something similar for a while now "on the cheap" utilizing a 2U supermicro chassis with 12 drive bays, onboard sata combined with 2x cheap ~$40 4 port pci-e sata controllers, debian and linux software raid 6. The server is on a gigabit line and i have 50mbit at home so i stream 720p/most 1080P content just fine via sshfs/ssl webdav. The reason for going 2U is the machine is colocated in a data center and you are charged per U monthly so the additional cost of a smaller form factor pays off in the long run, for you it doesn't seem to be a concern so the norco case looks like a winner. Sorry for going off on a bit of a tangent, i know i didn't answer your exact question specifically, i'm happy to help with any additional questions if your looking for further help with rackmount hardware/possible alternatives to using unRAID.
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#3
here's a great guide from Raj's UnRaid Prototype Design
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#4
Or if you're in the US, maybe a prebuilt server. Company is nothing to do with me, just wish they sold them here in Oz too Sad

http://www.queegtech.com/24-HDD-Server_p_52.html
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#5
Thanks for all the replies everyone, going to take me a while to digest all this information.
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