Want to build a Home Server with Ubuntu Server and mdadm raid 5

surjava · May 10

Hi,
I wanted to build a home server with consumer grade hardware which will run ubuntu server and mdadm for raid 5, but my issue most recent motherboards on intel platform provides only 4 sata ports, and even 1 of them does not work if I use the m2 slot for a boot ssd. I wanted to have atleast 6 sata ports for 3 drives now and 3 more for later expansion. I dont want to buy a raid card or sata expansion card or anything like that because that will just be another extra piece of hardware to be dependent on. Have any of you guyz ran into this issue and found to something to work around with?

YoungBlade · May 10

There are certainly boards with more then 4 SATA ports. The Asrock Z690 Pro RS is a relatively cheap one that has 8 SATA ports, and one is only disabled if you use the second M.2 slot. The top one is totally fine to use while still having all 8 SATA ports.

With that said, I disagree with your assessment of the situation. A SATA port on a motherboard can fail just like it can on an add-in card. The advantage of an add-in card is that it's way cheaper than a motherboard, so if it fails, it's much easier to replace.

However, you do you. If you prefer a one piece solution, have at it. There are certainly options.

LIGISTX · May 10

As stated above, a good enterprise HBA will last a very long time. Can it fail, yes, anything can. But I’d trust a supermicro HBA to outlast a consumer motherboard…

If you want to go the HBA route, look at Dell h310’s on eBay. Make sure to get one flashed to IT mode, and get one that comes with SAS to SATA cables bundled with it. Usually about 30-40 bucks.

OddOod · May 10

Welcome to the forums!
Yup, as others said, you want an HBA. Any LSI based one flashed to IT mode will work. Do make sure to look and see if it has internal or external SAS ports. Internals should end in -16I (for the 4 port model) or -8E for an external with two ports. Each port can use a SAS to 4xSATA breakout cable (look for the specific sas port type). If you have room in your case. You can get PCIe bracket mounted passthroughs if you need to turn an internal into an external port (or just pull the bracket cover and run the cable out that way)