server storage issues

[kingarthur]

So im setting up server at home for web hosting and as a media center of sorts. my issue ive run into is that i converted an older dell optiplex into the server. internally it has for sata ports but only enough space in the case to fit 2 drives. at the moment one slot is being taken by the OS(windows server 2003). i want to add more storage externally but im not sure what the best way to go about that is.

• san
• nas
• raid controller
• esata
• something else?

what im looking for

• cheap as possible
• preferably hot swap-able but not required
• fast enough for 10 people to stream video thru a web browser

any help is greatly appreciated.

 

[TheKDub]

I'd go for a NAS, that way you can connect it to your network and allow anyone on your network to access it.

[Guest]

Probably best getting a RAID card for the server that supports external SAS and then making a JBOD from a DS380 chassis. Get a SuperMicro power board and an external SAS to 8087 PCI bracket

 

http://www.pc-pitstop.com/sas_cables_adapters/AD8788-2.asp

http://www.servethehome.com/supermicro-cse-ptjbod-cb1-jbod-power-board-diy-jbod-chassis-made-easy/

 

[dalekphalm]

Probably best getting a RAID card for the server that supports external SAS and then making a JBOD from a DS380 chassis. Get a SuperMicro power board and an external SAS to 8087 PCI bracket

 

http://www.pc-pitstop.com/sas_cables_adapters/AD8788-2.asp

http://www.servethehome.com/supermicro-cse-ptjbod-cb1-jbod-power-board-diy-jbod-chassis-made-easy/

Indeed, I use a SAS Expander (A cheapo SE3016 off ebay) and it works well enough.

[d3sl91]

So im setting up server at home for web hosting and as a media center of sorts. my issue ive run into is that i converted an older dell optiplex into the server. internally it has for sata ports but only enough space in the case to fit 2 drives. at the moment one slot is being taken by the OS(windows server 2003). i want to add more storage externally but im not sure what the best way to go about that is.

• san
• nas
• raid controller
• esata
• something else?

what im looking for

• cheap as possible
• preferably hot swap-able but not required
• fast enough for 10 people to stream video thru a web browser

any help is greatly appreciated.

 

Cheap as possible yet still fast? eSata + Dual drive dock:

(Edit, different dock)

 

$45 for the dock.

http://www.amazon.com/StarTech-com-eSATA-Drive-Docking-Station/dp/B001IOPIRM/ref=sr_1_3?s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1430537529&sr=1-3&keywords=eSATA+dock

$5 for esatabackplate 

http://www.amazon.com/StarTech-eSATA-Plate-Bracket-ESATAPLATE2/dp/B000NPKGH4/ref=pd_sim_pc_4?ie=UTF8&refRID=11W2PVJDT9NBBSJCMDGC

 

 

$50 gets you more storage at roughly the same speed as plugging them directly in inside the machine. 

[kingarthur]

Probably best getting a RAID card for the server that supports external SAS and then making a JBOD from a DS380 chassis. Get a SuperMicro power board and an external SAS to 8087 PCI bracket

 

http://www.pc-pitstop.com/sas_cables_adapters/AD8788-2.asp

http://www.servethehome.com/supermicro-cse-ptjbod-cb1-jbod-power-board-diy-jbod-chassis-made-easy/

would that work with say this chassis.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/SE3016-SGI-RACKABLE-OMNISTOR-16-BAY-3-5-SAS-SATA-SSD-STORAGE-JBOD-SAS-EXPANDER-/121562008552?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item1c4da90be8.

its basically the same price and has 3 times more bays. plus i can rack mount it with my server blades when i get the room to properly set them up. sorry for all the questions.

[dalekphalm]

would that work with say this chassis.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/SE3016-SGI-RACKABLE-OMNISTOR-16-BAY-3-5-SAS-SATA-SSD-STORAGE-JBOD-SAS-EXPANDER-/121562008552?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item1c4da90be8.

its basically the same price and has 3 times more bays. plus i can rack mount it with my server blades when i get the room to properly set them up. sorry for all the questions.

I have one of those. It works well enough - though is limited to SATA II speeds (Because of the SAS expander board being used inside) so it's no speed demon.

[kingarthur]

ok cool as far as i can tell sata 2 speeds should be fast enough for what im trying to do. 

[dalekphalm]

ok cool as far as i can tell sata 2 speeds should be fast enough for what im trying to do. 

Should be, just that a larger RAID6 or RAID10 array might get bottlenecked by SATA II.