Case suggestions

[warllo]

Hi all,

I recently completed a proof of concept build of a FreeNas box in a standard atx case. I would like to move it to a rack mount case.

I am looking for a case that has the following items:

8 or more LFF hot-swap bays
2 internal drive bays
2u or 4u would be prefered, noise isn't really a factor
Will fit a full sized standard atx motherboard
Can be used or new, preferably used

Thanks for the suggestions in advance!

 

[Inxsible]

Supermicro 2U/3U/4U -- take your pick !

CSE826 have a 2.5" hot-swap cage available for your SSDs. or if you don't want hot-swap for the SSDs, there are other internal cages available as well. These cages also fit some of the 3U/4U chassis.

 

[Dice]

If you go the SM route, pay close attention to what backplane it comes with.
Google to assure compatibility with size and type of controller used.
(Most notably - avoid the ones that cap out at 2TB drives, and look for SAS2 or SAS3 controller preferrably with expander).

 

[Inxsible]

IMO, the A-backplane is best because it's a pass-through like the TQ backplane, but you can use SAS connectors thereby decreasing the cable-nest that often occurs with TQ backplanes because of so many SATA cables (breakout) running from the HBA to the backplane. Unfortunately, I have found it quite difficult to find chassis on ebay with the A-backplane. TQs are dime a dozen.

SAS2 backplanes will obviously limit you to SAS2 only. SAS3 backplanes are currently very expensive.

 

[Chris Moore]

Thanks for the suggestions in advance!

You could get one like this:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Supermicro-Server-4u-24-Bay-Server/142791202717
It has a really old system board using DDR2, so rip out the old board and put your system in it. Seller was even using it for FreeNAS.

 

[sretalla]

I consider this to be an excellent example of a 4RU build and hope to emulate it myself one day soon.
https://forums.freenas.org/index.ph...24-supermicro-x10-sri-f-xeon-e5-1650v4.46262/

Some folks are mentioning that the Supermicro chassis is expensive in addition to being a bit louder, so may be worth consideration.

 

[Chris Moore]

The supermicro chassis is more expensive because it has redundant power supplies that are totally worth it in my opinion

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I537 using Tapatalk

 

[Chris Moore]

I consider this to be an excellent example of a 4RU build and hope to emulate it myself one day soon.

@Stux is in Australia, so there are some limitations on the hardware he is able to get easily, but he made the best of what was available at a reasonable price.
The prices on used server chassis appears to be edging upward. I am pretty lucky to have picked up the two I have when the prices were lower.
I would suggest seeking a chassis with a SAS expander backplane. It makes wiring the drives much, much easier.