connecting ibm 3300

[muzzz]

i have an ibm n3300 and i want to connect it to my home network for storage

im trying to understand how to connect to the network, its has multiple network outputs and i have no idea what is what and what should i connect it to (router or another computer or something).

image of the outputs:

there is a possibility its already configured with an operating system and everything and in that case ill only need to connect it (i think) but if not i think ill need to install freeNas on it but how?
its has no screen output nor cd drive and even no mouse and key bored or usb, the connections in the pictures are the only connections on it.
help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[omegadraconis]

What you have there is san type device, not a server. Your not going to be able to install freenas (or another os for that matter) on it directly, however you may be able to use it as a disk array connected to a freenas host. I would guess the Ethernet port with the wrench icon is probably the management port. This page: http://reviews.cnet.com/search-results/ibm-system-storage-n3300/4507-5_7-33205437.html mentions the management is done via http. Your best bet to look into this device further would be to hook up this port (wrench icon) to the network, look for it's ip address from your router, and try seeing if you can connect to the ip in a web browser. If you can figure out how to manage it, you might be able to use it with a freenas server. The ports to the left are fibre-channel interconnects, you could use a fibre-channel HBA in a freenas host to interface with the disks with-in this unit. You'll need to figure out how to manage it before you can try to figure out who to interface it was a freenas host and you'll need to look else where to figure that out (try contacting ibm support for a manual or other support docs.)