SuperMicro 2U Chasis/X8DTN+ validation & 'How many sockets would you use?'

[sfcredfox]

Greetings,

Thanks for reading yet another check my build post, but with specific questions I didn't see asked on similar posts.

I'm looking at a Supermicro 2U Server X8DTN+ 2x Xeon X5550 2.66ghz as a possible next platform for FreeNAS 9.3.

Main product comes with:
X8DTN+ Motherboard
2x Intel Xeon X5550 2.66ghz 8m Cache 6.4 GT/s CPUs
4x 2gb ECC Registered Memory
I'll be using up to M1015's for HBAs.

System Requirements
Home use, up to four simultaneous connections for media/streaming.
Media storage for videos, multi-terabyte
iSCSI target platform replacement

Eventually, I'll migrate an external 8088 connected disk expansion to it from the signature mentioned system and use this system as a new iSCSI target server once I bring it's specs up far enough, and add an appropriate SLOG.

Questions I'd like to answer:
1. Mother board issues and limitations, ensure there are no major problems with this selection
2. Get input on whether you would use one or two CPUs (just curious)

Motherboard expansion slots
The X8DTN only has two 8x slots, which the M1015 HBA wants. This means I can only have two of them unless I can put them in the two 4x slots. If I don't use any SAS expanders, I'll need three M1015 ports for the 12 internal disks, and the fourth for the external 8088 connected future enclosure.

Question #1
Can you put an M1015 HBA in a 4x slot? Will there be a performance penalty (I would think yes)?

I guess alternatively, I could use a SAS expander for the internal drives, but I don't know much about it or costs.

CPU speed 2.66
This will be a dual socket 5520 2.66ghz

Question #2
I think samba is still single threaded? So, for basic home use, limited simultaneous SMB transfers, will there be any problems with that board/processor for doing around four data transfers (file copies, streaming movies)?

Memory
This only comes with 8GB, so while I can at least create a pool and not break the minimum required, I'll be immediately adding RAM.

I currently plan on buying 4GB modules, and over time, adding up to 18 of them for a total system RAM of 72GB. Anyone see a problem with that? I'll need the RAM as this system will eventually take over for an iSCSI target and I'll need a large ARC.

I'll research posts again as to opinions on whether 72GB is enough RAM for L2ARC or not. Some say 'yes, over 64GB is minimum for L2', others say 'eh'.

Question #3
The X8DTN+ board's manual says if you add RDIMMS up to 18 slots, it drops the speed automatically to 800Mhz. Does anyone have this board? Can you purchase slower modules than the PC3-12800 (1333) since it will be running slower?

CPU overkill versus power consumption
It's been said that FreeNAS needs RAM more than CPU. I'm not doing any plex/rendering here either. I could remove the second CPU and run this as a single 5520 to save on power, though I need to investigate the memory configuration if there is only one CPU and it's max supported quantity. Reference:
https://forums.freenas.org/index.php?threads/new-mobo-or-cpu-mobo.19443/#post-108766

For the iSCSI support I mentioned earlier, the CPU power might still be necessary, but I don't know. My current system (signature) runs fine and never really goes above 30-40% CPU. That means it might go up to 60-80% if it was a single socket?

Question #4
Would you consider running this system as a single socket in this scenario?


Other posts about the motherboard or system I've used for reference:
https://forums.freenas.org/index.php?threads/cheap-home-storage-used-hardware.34702/#post-208136
https://forums.freenas.org/index.php?threads/2u-rackmount-8-bay-chassis.28987/#post-191184
https://forums.freenas.org/index.ph...upermicro-pre-built-vs-diy.24112/#post-147664
https://forums.freenas.org/index.php?threads/new-mobo-or-cpu-mobo.19443/#post-108766

Thanks!

 

[anodos]

Questions I'd like to answer:
2. Get input on whether you would use one or two CPUs (just curious)

One CPU.

Question #2

I think samba is still single threaded? So, for basic home use, limited simultaneous SMB transfers, will there be any problems with that board/processor for doing around four data transfers (file copies, streaming movies)?

Each smbd process is single-threaded, but samba launches lots of smbd processes. Realistically, CPU will not be the limiting factor.

Question #4

Would you consider running this system as a single socket in this scenario?

probably single socket.

 

[sfcredfox]

Thanks for the comments on CPU requirements Anodos.

Anyone have any input/experience on Question#1 and using M1015s in 4x slots?