DAS storage question

[Hikaru12]

I'm planning on building a Direct Attached Storage unit with a USB 3.0 cable connected to my main PC. I do not want it to run 24/7 so I see no need for a NAS currently. 

 

My question is do I need a host operating system on the DAS for it to function properly or can I just connect it to my PC with one of those USB networking cables and have the main PC recognize all the drives? I do not intend on using RAID at this time. Thanks for any help guys. 

[Rohime]

If the device itself is configured as a USB attached external drive(s), then you will be fine with whatever I/O card / config the device has.

 

If you are trying to turn an NAS into a DAS, then its a (slightly) different story.

 

You got a device / model number for us?  or you building something yourself?

[Hikaru12]

1 hour ago, Rohime said:

If the device itself is configured as a USB attached external drive(s), then you will be fine with whatever I/O card / config the device has.

 

If you are trying to turn an NAS into a DAS, then its a (slightly) different story.

 

You got a device / model number for us?  or you building something yourself?

It's going to be built myself. I'm building it with a PCI Express SAS expander card and 12 hard drives. The motherboard will be connected to my computer with a USB 3.0 networking cable. 

 

The card itself is the Lsi 9305

[Captain_WD]

2 hours ago, Hikaru12 said:

~snip~

Hi there

 

Could you elaborate a bit more on your plan like what parts are you planning on using (motherboard, PSY, drives, etc)? 

If you are using a dedicated motherboard for that PCIe-based expansion card you will need to have a OS controlling everything. 

Since you are not going to place all those HDDs in a RAID and they will be used independently from one another it may be a better, more simple and more cost-friendly solution to just get a docking station or enclosures for all those drives and use it with its USB or another connection. 

 

Captain_WD. 

[Hikaru12]

11 hours ago, Captain_WD said:

Hi there

 

Could you elaborate a bit more on your plan like what parts are you planning on using (motherboard, PSY, drives, etc)? 

If you are using a dedicated motherboard for that PCIe-based expansion card you will need to have a OS controlling everything. 

Since you are not going to place all those HDDs in a RAID and they will be used independently from one another it may be a better, more simple and more cost-friendly solution to just get a docking station or enclosures for all those drives and use it with its USB or another connection. 

 

Captain_WD. 

That sounds like a better idea. Do you have any in mind that can support that many drives or at least 6 drives a piece? 

 

I wanted to do an SOC board like a BioStar A68N-2100. PSU would be a Seasonic 500W. Drives would 6TB WD Black.

[Captain_WD]

9 hours ago, Hikaru12 said:

~snip~

Unfortunately WD doesn't offer such 6-bay devices and as a Western Digital representative I can't really recommend other brands or their products. I'm sure finding one online is easy and someone here can recommend you one. 

 

As for the drives, mind that WD Black drives aren't designed to work in cases where there are more drives (like yours for example) and you may encounter some issues. I would recommend considering WD Red as they are designed to work in cases with up to 8 drives. If you need more performance you could check out WD Red Pro which are designed for better performance and usage in cases with up to 16 drives. 

 

Let me know if you have questions regarding them. 

 

Captain_WD. 

[Rohime]

12 hours ago, Hikaru12 said:

 

 

There seems to be plenty of options for exactly what you want in 4 Drive versions.   

Nothing i can find in 6 drive versions - but there  are 4s, 5s and an 8 bay below.

 

http://www.silverstonetek.com/product.php?pid=425&area=en

 

also check out current ORICO and HOTWAY offerings.   

http://orico.cc/category.php?id=356

http://www.hotway.com.tw/portfolio/portfolio-ajax/h82-su3s2/