DL585 G5 + MSA60

[Wally]

Hey, my current FreeNAS server is running great but I think it is time to upgrade.

The DL585 G5 has 4x (2.2GHZ Quad Core Processors), 32GB ram, everything else stock. My hopes was to later to upgrade to the six core processors, as high of a frequency as I can afford (I was already looking at 2.8GHZ six cores for about 40 a piece).

I was looking at a MSA60 that I can get for $300 CND plus a P800 controller for $100 CND. The MSA60 can hold 12 drives which I though was pretty cool. The intended drive to use is 3.5" 3TB WD Red. I have 4 already and will be adding 1-2 more to the array. Currently running raid z2.

I also am getting a HP NC364T PCI Express Quad Port Gigabit Server Adapter

My concern is this setup will have issues with FreeNAS. And if I don't, what the speed will be like. As-is, the new one benchmarks 5 times higher then my current server and the current server gets 80-90Mb file transfers. Hopefully should be good for 5 plex streams instead of 2. Electricity is not an issue as its at my office and electricity is included :) .
The DL585 G5 is the system, just need a storage solution.

 

[Ericloewe]

P800 controller

Eww... Please don't.

MSA60

I wouldn't be surprised if HP filled that with proprietary crap that would hinder interoperability.

DL585 G5

nForce chipsets? Do yourself a favor and stay well away from that thing!

 

[Wally]

Eww... Please don't.
I wouldn't be surprised if HP filled that with proprietary crap that would hinder interoperability.
nForce chipsets? Do yourself a favor and stay well away from that thing!

I am not set on the P800 controller or the MSA60 but the Opteron server is costing me only $120. I am using nForce 4 right now without any issues. I am using the 2 onboard K8N-DL sata/raid controllers without issues (not using the hardware raid btw).

I need something that will hook up to the DL585 G5 that can hold at least 6 3.5" drives. Preferably more so I can upgrade later.

 

[Ericloewe]

I need something that will hook up to the DL585 G5 that can hold at least 6 3.5" drives. Preferably more so I can upgrade later.

Your choice of nearly any LSI SAS2008 or SAS3008-based HBA and your choice of known-standard external drive chassis with LSI expander chips.

 

[Wally]

http://www.ebay.ca/itm/Dell-PERC-H2...001578?hash=item1c710166ea:g:QxIAAOSw8gVX6tQV

http://www.ebay.ca/itm/Intel-SAS300...125413?hash=item5d674e0725:g:hM4AAOSwdzVXovbn

I can afford the LSI SAS2008, although I would buy the LSI SAS3008 if there was a good reason. My seller does not have any External Drive chassis with LSI expander chips. Any recommendations?

How do they connect to each other? Fibre cable or something?

 

[depasseg]

Save your money and get the 2008. There isn't any reason, in fact, the support for 2008 based cards is much better.

 

[Ericloewe]

3008 is stable enough, but 2008/2308 is even more stable and much more mature (and compatible, too).

Any recommendations?

You could get a chassis that takes individual SATA ports or (much better) SFF-8087 ports and add an expander (the Intel ones are very popular and can be powered from molex).

How do they connect to each other? Fibre cable or something?

Not at all. Plain old SFF-8088 (external version of the SFF-8087 connector). You can convert between SFF-8087 and SFF-8088 with passive adapters, if needed. Also, use only SFF-8088 outside of a chassis.

 

[MatthewSteinhoff]

I love HP's server hardware. A DL585 G5 with MSA60 should have no problems running FreeNAS. Skip the P800 controller, go LSI and consider a 10gbe instead of quad 1gbe.

MSA60 that I can get for $300 CND

If I'm doing my currency math correctly, that's a bit high for a 3 gbps storage array. We use both the HP D2600 (with SAS9207-4i4e) and D2700 (with SAS9205-8e) which are 6 gpbs and not significantly more expensive.

The HP G5 series is getting really long in the tooth. I know because we still have several HP DL360 G5s in service, one of which is running FreeNAS 9.3.

Take a look at the G6 series if your budget allows - not that much more expensive, supports a lot more memory and has faster processor options. The DL585 is a beast of a machine - 5U. Unless you are using the internal D585 drive bays or need the card space, you will save a lot of space and power by dropping back to a DL360 (1U) or DL380 (2U).

Finally, for what you're spending on the MSA60 and DL585, you could probably buy a 12-bay Supermicro server similarly speced.

Cheers,
Matt

 

[Wally]

Here is the listing for the seller near me: http://www.ebay.ca/sch . I can pick it up for free (no shipping) and work out deals with him. For instance, the DL585 started as 16gb ram and 3x 72gb SAS drives. I removed the SAS drives and bumped it up from 16GB to 32GB for (all-in) $120 vs the $150 it was before. Also, I like HP Hardware too.

I have plenty of space in my rack for a 5u server though but a valid concern. I am not sure if I can afford a G6 version. I agree with the 10GBE and will not be getting the quad GB card now. No P800 either.

So with the DL585 + MSA60 using the LSI card (2800 version) how would I connect the server to the storage? I agree with the MSA60 being overpriced and I am going to look into better options. Best priced D2600 so far is $800 and the D2700 has 2.5" drives so that's out.

2U Supermicro SC826, 12Bay, X8DTN+ 2x Xeon E5645 Six Core 24GB RAM Rail Dual PS ($475) Not bad at all
http://www.ebay.ca/itm/2U-Supermicr...855176?hash=item43f4dbd008:g:cBMAAOSwgmJX1Jqe

Stuff from the U.S.A would have very high shipping rates plus the potential for import charges. It makes me pretty limited to Canada.

Thanks for the support!

Matthew W.

 

[MatthewSteinhoff]

So with the DL585 + MSA60 using the LSI card (2800 version) how would I connect the server to the storage?

Any of the LSI HBAs with an 'e' (for external) part number are probably fine. For example, here is an LSI SAS 9205-8e HBA from Canada's eBay. From there, you'll need a Mini SAS 26-Pin SFF-8088 Male to Mini SAS 26-Pin SFF-8088. That connects the HBA to MSA60.

2U Supermicro SC826, 12Bay, X8DTN+ 2x Xeon E5645 Six Core 24GB RAM Rail Dual PS ($475)

The Supermicro X8DTN+ motherboard supports 288GB of RAM (compared to 32GB) and has six SATA ports on the motherboard so you won't even need an HBA if you have six or fewer drives. The RAID card is useless for FreeNAS but that can be removed. The PCI-X slots are outdated but you do have three PCI-E slots so you can add a 10G NIC and two HBAs if you need to expand. Everything disk will be running at 3gbps instead of 6gbps but that likely won't make much difference in your use scenario.

As much as I like the elegance and reliability of the HP hardware, the Supermicro sounds like the better, less expensive choice for you.

Cheers,
Matt

 

[Wally]

Any of the LSI HBAs with an 'e' (for external) part number are probably fine. For example, here is an LSI SAS 9205-8e HBA from Canada's eBay. From there, you'll need a Mini SAS 26-Pin SFF-8088 Male to Mini SAS 26-Pin SFF-8088. That connects the HBA to MSA60.

Perfect, that is what I needed to know.

The Supermicro X8DTN+ motherboard supports 288GB of RAM (compared to 32GB)

The DL585 G5 supports up to 256GB Maximum. Not like that will every happen, I probably won't go past 32GB for a long time.

Everything disk will be running at 3gbps instead of 6gbps but that likely won't make much difference in your use scenario.

Would the MSA60 also run at 3gbps?

It is a tough decision, I like Intel over Amd but I like Quad CPU over Dual. According to the HP manual, the DL585 G5 will support 2 different hex cores and they are cheap so future upgrade to 24 cores is a possibility. Cost is pretty close, I think I can get a MSA60 cheaper but the supermicro will work as-is. More research tonight.

https://www.hpe.com/h20195/v2/GetPDF.aspx/c04282646.pdf Page 3 for reference to the servers maximum memory Page 19 for reference to six core (hex core).

 

[Wally]

Possible card?
LSI Logic SAS9200-8E SFF-8088 8-Ports 6GB SATA+SAS PCI-E 2.0 LSI00188 45.08 USD All in

 

[Ericloewe]

Yes, that one is fine.

 

[Wally]

Hey guys,

So I got the following equipment:
- DL585
- D6000
- Cord to attach them
- Rails are in the mail
- The card I have to order still

He sold the MSA60 but got in the D6000 and after "MatthewSteinhoff" mentioned he was using it and that it is 6 gbps so I jumped on it and got it. $565 CND with tax included. So I am broke now but I think in the long run it will be better.