Rack server for FreeNAS 2U 12 x 3.5" bays

[poldas]

Hi

I'm looking good rack hardware for FreeNAS with 12 3.5" bays Do you recommend any? I know that DELL C2100 is good one but I can't find it in Poland ;) Maybe Supermicro...?

 

[jro]

The Supermicro 826 is great if you can find one used. Here in the states, you can get one for around $200 USD.

 

[DaedalusHeir]

What size rack and how much wattage you need? But the way, I agree with jro...Supermicro is a reliable and cost effective solution!

 

[Chris Moore]

but I can't find it in Poland ;) Maybe Supermicro...?

If you can't find a Dell, it is not likely you will find a Supermicro. Your options are limited. How difficult is it to shop other countries in Europe?

 

[Chris Moore]

If you really want to go 2U, I would get something like this and upgrade the system board, processor and memory as needed. It is pretty easy to change those out and this is a really good price for a working system if the system will do the job as is.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Supermicro...ghz-Hex-Core-48gb-12x-Trays-JBOD/372578440946

 

[l@e]

@Chris Moore in Europe generaly the qty found in second hand equipment is quite low compared to what generaly available in states. And unfortunately SMC is not yet so common. Prices also are higher.
Best optios i do find in local shops of used equipment, but the worry is about the psu, because the servers are 2-3 generation older that current. I got ML-350 G5 round 4-5 years ago for 400eur and then put another 150 to max out the specs supported. Esxi running on that, and till now only one issue i had to change one of PSU. (I think of age).

 

[poldas]

Thank you all for the answers. Supermicro X8DTN looks awesome. Is the LSI 9210-8i good raid controller for FN or do you recommend any other?

 

[l@e]

On X8 series check if you have ipmi. Some of them did not have ipmi and remote kvm at the time. It will be nice to have remote access without pluging monitor and keyboard.

 

[Logikgear]

Thank you all for the answers. Supermicro X8DTN looks awesome. Is the LSI 9210-8i good raid controller for FN or do you recommend any other?

It is prefered to use an HBA over a RAID card because FreeNAS wants total and complete control over the HDDs/SSDs. That being said you might be able to flash it to IT mode and be good to go. Unless you need the plugs to be on the side you could go with one of the following and not need to flash the card.
LSI SAS 9207-8i
LSI SAS 9211-8i
LSI SAS 9300-8i

 

[poldas]

LSI SAS 9211-8i it is Dell H200. Is it supports 12 drives?

 

[Logikgear]

LSI SAS 9211-8i it is Dell H200. Is it supports 12 drives?

With brake out cables it does 8 drives. But with an expander card or expander backplane it does up to 256 drives. The eBay listing that Chris Moore linked has a SAS826EL1 Expander Backplane so you should be fine with the 9211-8i

 

[poldas]

Maybe LSI SAS 9207-8i or LSI SAS 9300-8i supports 12 drives without extension?

 

[Logikgear]

The number after the dash actually tells you how many drives it supports without Expanders.

-8i (so 8 drives with internal connections.)
-16i (so 16 drives with internal connections.)
-24i (so 24 drives with internal connections.)

 

[poldas]

Maybe DELL R510 with H200 is good choice? It was selling with H200 and 12 bay chassis so it has to support 12 drives

 

[Logikgear]

Maybe DELL R510 with H200 is good choice? It was selling with H200 and 12 bay chassis so it has to support 12 drives

That would work. The R510 12bay has an expander backplane. You will need to cross flash the H200 into IT mode. Or find a Dell 6Gb/s HBA to replace the H200.

They talk about cross flashing in this thread. https://forums.freenas.org/index.php?threads/h200-flash.47429/