First rack server on Dell R415

[Jacopx]

Buongiorno folks,
I bought a Dell R415 from a data center of a client. I’m using FreeNAS since years but is the first time that I’m trying to use it on a rack equipment.
I haven’t received it yet, but these are the specs:

• Dell PowerEdge R415
• AMD Opteron 4274HE
• 64GB DDR3
• 4x HotSwap Caddy
• Dell iDRAC6 Enterprise
• Dell iDRAC6 Express

What I haven’t get is:
Will The iDRAC be useful for FreeNAS? I think no, can be removed?
How the drive are connected to the motherboard? Is another card required?

All the infos that I have are in the attached screenshot.

 

[Newfoundland.Republic]

iDRAC - Yes, very useful. Allows you to run headless (no monitor, keyboard) and access the server remotely - boot, access BIOS, add virtual media (e.g., CD, ISO). See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dell_DRAC

You should not use a hardware RAID card - use a HBA based on LSI chipsets flash to IT (as opposed to IR) mode.

 

[Jacopx]

iDRAC - Yes, very useful. Allows you to run headless (no monitor, keyboard) and access the server remotely - boot, access BIOS, add virtual media (e.g., CD, ISO). See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dell_DRAC

You should not use a hardware RAID card - use a HBA based on LSI chipsets flash to IT (as opposed to IR) mode.

Good, thanks, I have see a lot of option have you any suggestion?

 

[Newfoundland.Republic]

If you search the forums, there are recommendations. I use an IBM M1015 (LSI 9220-8i) flashed to IT mode. There are also some Dell PERC cards that are LSI-based and can be flashed to IT mode; again, search the forums. Here are some links to the Resources section:

Detailed newcomers' guide to crossflashing LSI 9211/9300/9305/9311 HBA and variants
What's all the noise about HBAs, and why can't I use a RAID controller?
Specific build components list - up to 32GB RAM

 

[Newfoundland.Republic]

I'd also think hard about using AMD instead of Intel at this point. Some people have AMD working, other have had problems. One of the items in the TrueNAS Core 12.0 release notes is improved AMD support...

 

[Jacopx]

If you search the forums, there are recommendations. I use an IBM M1015 (LSI 9220-8i) flashed to IT mode. There are also some Dell PERC cards that are LSI-based and can be flashed to IT mode; again, search the forums. Here are some links to the Resources section:

Detailed newcomers' guide to crossflashing LSI 9211/9300/9305/9311 HBA and variants
What's all the noise about HBAs, and why can't I use a RAID controller?
Specific build components list - up to 32GB RAM

Ok, thanks,I think that I will go with the Dell PERC H310.
I will use the cables from the HBA to the single drive with a mini-SAS to SATA, the power will be provided by a backplane already in place or other hardware is required?

 

[Newfoundland.Republic]

I think that that is a Dell-specific question. Unfortunately, I'm an HP/IBM/Supermicro guy

Maybe you should create an new thread under Hardware - I'm sure there are one or two Dell folks around!

Good luck! Stay safe!