Supermicro X11 mystery component

[jgreco]

+1'd

X11 still has some edges that need to be checked and potentially filed down to a safe package. Only go for it now if you're comfortable troubleshooting.

Yeah, even the X9 stuff is still completely viable. There are only very modest improvements between generations.

 

[moo083]

Okay. I will try to keep my early adopter instinct in check. Buying a new phone straight out of the gate is not the same thing as a NAS running untested hardware/software combinations.

 

[jgreco]

Correct. Be especially aware that if there are any driver updates or tweaks, they may take months to show up.

 

[Roman]

Yeah, it depends on what the hardware is being used for in the end. X11 is fine for Windows workstations but it's different with servers. It might be considered “experimental” right now.

PS: It's already available in Germany, some models at least; and it's expensive as hell.

 

[Arwen]

Staying off the cutting edge applies to software as well.

I knew someone who would not upgrade his Solaris 2.3 server until Solaris 2.5 was released.
THEN, he was going to upgrade to Solaris 2.4, with the assumption that 2.4 would have enough
bug fixes already done.

For me, my FreeNAS is staying on 9.3.1 until I can't get any more updates. (Unless FN 10.x adds
some desperately needed bug fix or feature.)

That said, FreeNAS 9.3 did add ZFS root, and easy root mirroring. Plus, alternate boot environments.
So 9.3 did have some desperately desired features.

 

[jgreco]

I knew someone who would not upgrade his Solaris 2.3 server until Solaris 2.5 was released.
THEN, he was going to upgrade to Solaris 2.4, with the assumption that 2.4 would have enough
bug fixes already done.

Was it me?

 

[Robert Trevellyan]

Unless FN 10.x adds some desperately needed bug fix or feature.

I take it you're not into running VMs on your FreeNAS ;)

 

[Arwen]

Was it me?

No, unless you used to live in Hawaii...

 

[Arwen]

I take it you're not into running VMs on your FreeNAS ;)

Well, yes I am, but it was more for trivial things. So, 9.3.1 is working fine for me.

 

[Robert Trevellyan]

9.3.1 is working fine for me.

Me too, it just seems like 10.x will be a significant improvement.

 

[Arwen]

Me too, it just seems like 10.x will be a significant improvement.

The only thing I really miss, is web access to my Media share. I had to create a Jail / VM for that purpose.
Unless I am missing something obvious, (which is entirely possible), the one thing FreeNAS does not have
is a built in web service for USER type data.

 

[jgreco]

No, there's no general web service, though there is WebDAV IIRC. Web service would seem contrary to the intended goal of a product like FreeNAS, and might seem to be a tacit suggestion that you could use a FreeNAS box in an Internet-facing role, which you cannot safely do.

 

[Robert Trevellyan]

there is WebDAV IIRC

Yes, WebDAV is available under Sharing.

 

[Mirfster]

Very interesting. I have wondered what that connection is on the Dell C2100/FS12-TY. At times I have thought about tracking down who the actual Motherboard manufacturer really is. Not saying that it is SuperMicro, but would be nice it it turned out to be so.


Dell C2100/FS12-TY - Right below CPU0 Socket

 

[jgreco]

Pretty sure that Dell makes their own compute gear most of the time (though I have some Dell PE 350's which are actually Intel ISP1100 rebadges). They have all the same sort of problems Supermicro does, though, so seeing similar solutions to similar problems ... total nonshocker. ;-)

 

[Mirfster]

Hmm, I was always under the impression that companies like Dell, HP, etc. still purchased their hardware from manufacturers; but they were "customized" (Like special BIOS or locking down the FSB). Long time ago, I heard that Intel might be the MB maker for Dells. May still look into it some day.

 

[jgreco]

They may actually have some company in China like Foxconn do the fab work, but the designs are typically their own, or acquired through purchasing of some smaller company, such as what happened with Dell EqualLogic, Force10, etc.