RAID case for additional 10-12 disks

[billgreenwood]

Hi all,

I'm after upgrading my system and I'd like to add a second pool.

Of course my current case is packed full and has run our of space, so I am thinking of buying a separate Raid enclosure storage to house up eventually ten or twelve further drives.

Does anyone have any recommendations and experience of such units?

My current system has in a Define R4 case has 10 drives.

My other option could be to get a big 24 case and add all the drives to this.
But this would mean changing my system from a PC box arrangement, to a server rack and this is a bigger investment.

Thanks in advance

Bill

 

[Elliot Dierksen]

I have had good luck with an HP D2700 (25 x 2.5") and HP D2600 (12 x 3.5"). They work great with the LSI 9207-8e cards I have. They are 6G SAS/SATA 2U enclosures that can be had pretty inexpensively on eBay. You have to have an HP supported RAID card to flash the parts in the chassis, but that isn't a huge deal.

 

[Chris Moore]

Raid enclosure

You don't want what you are asking for. Just a terminology thing, but a "RAID enclosure" indicates an enclosure with integrated hardware RAID capability. You don't want that with FreeNAS. You want a SAS JBOD enclosure, or even an enclosure with an integrated SAS Expander.
https://www.supermicro.com/products/chassis/JBOD/

My current system has in a Define R4 case has 10 drives.

Are you interested in moving your current build into a server chassis that has hot-swap bays?
You could get something like this and put your system board in it in place of the older one that is in it now:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Supermicro...-x8dti-ln4f-xeon-proc-w-24gb-ram/283143353610

 

[billgreenwood]

Thanks @Elliot Dierksen and @Chris Moore. I currently do not have a rack system. Mine is in a PC case. But maybe it is time to go for one of these baby's. Hot-swap bays is something that could make my life easier. When I used an SGI server hot-swap raid was a production lifesaver!

@Chris Moore I'm based in the UK so will have to look for one locally. Cheers for the idea though. :)

 

[Chris Moore]

I currently do not have a rack system.

If you just want to attach an external disk chassis, you might want to consider something like this:
http://store.sansdigital-shop.com/moms8baysass.html
I have seen them used for around $350, but it gives you eight drive bays and attaches to the computer with external SAS cables. The rack enclosures give a lot more drive bays to work with. I have one of the 24 bay units that I stand on side like a tower case because I don't have a rack to mount it in.
I suggested getting a rack and my wife looked at me like I lost my mind. She tolerates me, mostly.

PS. The larger units get more expensive fast, this one has 12 bays:
http://store.sansdigital-shop.com/moms12baysat1.html
For the price, you are often better off with a gently used item if you can find it. Second hand server chassis can usually be had for under $800

 

[billgreenwood]

Though I'd love one, I dont have the space in my office for a rack-mount unless I do some serious reorganisation! Though I never thought of putting a 24 bay unit just on its side. That may be an option! Time to get the tape out!