dougoftheabaci
Dabbler
- Joined
- May 29, 2011
- Messages
- 16
I'm in the process of choosing the hardware for my first NAS and I've run into a question I don't know how to answer.
Basically, the case I've chosen supports six 3.5" hard drives and one SSD (I'm guessing it means 2.5"). That's fantastic as i can use the SSD for FreeNAS and then use the other bays for my data drives.
However, the best motherboard I can find for the job only has six SATA ports. I've found a PCI to SATA card that should work with my motherboard, but the reviewer says he was unable to install an OS onto a drive connected to it due to a lack of drivers.
He was using XP but I'm wondering if FreeNAS is going to suffer from the same problem? Also, is there another card or solution that would work better for my needs?
[EDIT:]
Another thought I just had, I'm trying to figure out how I'm going to install the OS on my NAS once it's built and one thing I was wondering is if it might be possible to drop the SSD into an HDD enclosure and install it from my desktop then drop it into the NAS with the driver already installed, if it's needed? I can grab a USB case for $20 and if that will solve the problem then it's money well spent in my mind.
Basically, the case I've chosen supports six 3.5" hard drives and one SSD (I'm guessing it means 2.5"). That's fantastic as i can use the SSD for FreeNAS and then use the other bays for my data drives.
However, the best motherboard I can find for the job only has six SATA ports. I've found a PCI to SATA card that should work with my motherboard, but the reviewer says he was unable to install an OS onto a drive connected to it due to a lack of drivers.
He was using XP but I'm wondering if FreeNAS is going to suffer from the same problem? Also, is there another card or solution that would work better for my needs?
[EDIT:]
Another thought I just had, I'm trying to figure out how I'm going to install the OS on my NAS once it's built and one thing I was wondering is if it might be possible to drop the SSD into an HDD enclosure and install it from my desktop then drop it into the NAS with the driver already installed, if it's needed? I can grab a USB case for $20 and if that will solve the problem then it's money well spent in my mind.