"bare" Storage Servers

[ianbergman]

Hi all,

Does anyone have a favorite (or know of any) bare storage server -- a box I can just pop at least six hard drives into and boom, I have network- or direct-attached storage?

I have a bunch of old hard drives around, and I'd rather put them into something dedicated to storage, preferably supporting RAID-5 natively, than build an old Windows or Linux box. That's a pain.

Thoughts?

 

[MercenaryForHire]

Got an old Pentium kicking around?

- M4H

 

[ianbergman]

That actually looks like pretty slick software. The point here though isn't that I need the software; I just can't imagine there isn't a simple, cheap and quiet box out there that is ready and waiting for someone to plug a bunch of hard drives into.

As best I can tell, my alternative will be to buy a full-tower case and stuff it nice and full of fans and hard drives (i'm thinking at least 6, maybe 10). That's a time-consuming project; I'd rather just buy something ready-made, assuming it's relatively affordable.

 

[MercenaryForHire]

Originally posted by: ianbergman
That actually looks like pretty slick software. The point here though isn't that I need the software; I just can't imagine there isn't a simple, cheap and quiet box out there that is ready and waiting for someone to plug a bunch of hard drives into.

As best I can tell, my alternative will be to buy a full-tower case and stuff it nice and full of fans and hard drives (i'm thinking at least 6, maybe 10). That's a time-consuming project; I'd rather just buy something ready-made, assuming it's relatively affordable.

Plug-and-go NAS solutions tend to cost anywhere between an arm, leg, or left nut. They're very picky about sides.

Think "$400 for 160GB" and you're around the correct scale.

- M4H

 

[ianbergman]

Yeah, I was afraid someone was going to say that . I was hoping that there would be a "$300 for 0GB... but with 6 spare 3.5" IDE bays" out there. Given my research, I'm not sure there is. Which means building something. Blast.

 

[MercenaryForHire]

Originally posted by: ianbergman
Yeah, I was afraid someone was going to say that . I was hoping that there would be a "$300 for 0GB... but with 6 spare 3.5" IDE bays" out there. Given my research, I'm not sure there is. Which means building something. Blast.

There's plenty of double-drive enclosures, they're around $100 or so (Netgear SC101, for example.) Or you could use a Linksys NSLU2, hacked, and USB2 enclosures.

But it's just more cost-effective to build a cheap P3 server. An Antec BQE series would probably be able to handle all your drives, do it quietly with 120mm fans, and with an underclocked AMD or a P3, run with passive cooling only for silence.

- M4H

 

[WackyDan]

Originally posted by: MercenaryForHire

Originally posted by: ianbergman
Yeah, I was afraid someone was going to say that . I was hoping that there would be a "$300 for 0GB... but with 6 spare 3.5" IDE bays" out there. Given my research, I'm not sure there is. Which means building something. Blast.

There's plenty of double-drive enclosures, they're around $100 or so (Netgear SC101, for example.) Or you could use a Linksys NSLU2, hacked, and USB2 enclosures.

But it's just more cost-effective to build a cheap P3 server. An Antec BQE series would probably be able to handle all your drives, do it quietly with 120mm fans, and with an underclocked AMD or a P3, run with passive cooling only for silence.

- M4H

The Netgear SC101 is $89 after rebate this week at CompUSA.... $299 with Two 250gig drives.....

It will use less power, be much more reliable in the long term than using an old PC. I personally use the LinkSys NSLU2, but I'm probably going to switch to the Netgear as it spins drives down when not in use.... Which is important for something I want on all the time.

 

[phisrow]

Do be aware, though, that certain NAS products don't support standard protocols (SMB or NFS) and I think the SC101 is one of them. Unless something has changed since last I read up on the subject, you need to install software on every client machine if you want it to be detected. Software that isn't happening on Linux, is doubtful on Mac, and a nuisance on Windows.

 

[ShellGuy]

You lookin for something like this.



Will G.

 

[WackyDan]

Originally posted by: phisrow
Do be aware, though, that certain NAS products don't support standard protocols (SMB or NFS) and I think the SC101 is one of them. Unless something has changed since last I read up on the subject, you need to install software on every client machine if you want it to be detected. Software that isn't happening on Linux, is doubtful on Mac, and a nuisance on Windows.

Agreed. Especially on the SC101. But if your needs are a place to backup, and have mirrored copy of that backup - it fits the bill.

The Linksys supposely now supports NTFS which makes it easy to just pop a drive out of an enclosure and into a system, and it doesn't require a client be installed on ps's to access it. I haven't checked to see if they added updates to spin the drives down when not in use.

 

[ianbergman]

Thanks for all the suggestions! Given that I'm looking to use up 6-12 drives, I'm thinking at this point of picking up a Lian Li V2000 and piecing together my own ghetto-style server with a cheap RAID controller or two.

Cooling and noise will be fun with that many drives in a case; but this definitely seems like the most affordable option. And maybe easiest, if I can find someone who has one lying around... I guess now I'm on to case suggestions beyond the V2000, if you have any. Goals are quiet as possible, and with sufficient cooling for up to 12 internal IDE drives. If I can get something for under $100, bonus.

 

[dnuggett]

DP

 

[dnuggett]

Originally posted by: dnuggett

Originally posted by: MercenaryForHire

Originally posted by: ianbergman
That actually looks like pretty slick software. The point here though isn't that I need the software; I just can't imagine there isn't a simple, cheap and quiet box out there that is ready and waiting for someone to plug a bunch of hard drives into.

As best I can tell, my alternative will be to buy a full-tower case and stuff it nice and full of fans and hard drives (i'm thinking at least 6, maybe 10). That's a time-consuming project; I'd rather just buy something ready-made, assuming it's relatively affordable.

Plug-and-go NAS solutions tend to cost anywhere between an arm, leg, or left nut. They're very picky about sides.

Think "$400 for 160GB" and you're around the correct scale.

- M4H

Not really.

Text

OT/ There is also a refurbed 1.2TB for $650 right now \OT

 

[MercenaryForHire]

Originally posted by: dnuggett

Originally posted by: dnuggett

Originally posted by: MercenaryForHire

Originally posted by: ianbergman
That actually looks like pretty slick software. The point here though isn't that I need the software; I just can't imagine there isn't a simple, cheap and quiet box out there that is ready and waiting for someone to plug a bunch of hard drives into.

As best I can tell, my alternative will be to buy a full-tower case and stuff it nice and full of fans and hard drives (i'm thinking at least 6, maybe 10). That's a time-consuming project; I'd rather just buy something ready-made, assuming it's relatively affordable.

Plug-and-go NAS solutions tend to cost anywhere between an arm, leg, or left nut. They're very picky about sides.

Think "$400 for 160GB" and you're around the correct scale.

- M4H

Not really.

Text

OT/ There is also a refurbed 1.2TB for $650 right now \OT

My bad, I'm still on the "professional grade" price scale. Y'know, for those of us who like our attached storage to still function after a year or so.

- M4H

 

[dnuggett]

Originally posted by: MercenaryForHire

Originally posted by: dnuggett

Originally posted by: dnuggett

Originally posted by: MercenaryForHire

Originally posted by: ianbergman
That actually looks like pretty slick software. The point here though isn't that I need the software; I just can't imagine there isn't a simple, cheap and quiet box out there that is ready and waiting for someone to plug a bunch of hard drives into.

As best I can tell, my alternative will be to buy a full-tower case and stuff it nice and full of fans and hard drives (i'm thinking at least 6, maybe 10). That's a time-consuming project; I'd rather just buy something ready-made, assuming it's relatively affordable.

Plug-and-go NAS solutions tend to cost anywhere between an arm, leg, or left nut. They're very picky about sides.

Think "$400 for 160GB" and you're around the correct scale.

- M4H

Not really.

Text

OT/ There is also a refurbed 1.2TB for $650 right now \OT

My bad, I'm still on the "professional grade" price scale. Y'know, for those of us who like our attached storage to still function after a year or so.

- M4H

That's weird- you were first suggesting he use an old Pentium, now we are going professional grade? lol

Oh I get it, why doesn't he just become an enterprise customer of HP or IBM? Hell throw a suggestion like a blade and thin client next time he wants a new computer. Let's not half ass it here. :thumbsup:

 

[dclive]

Originally posted by: ianbergman
Hi all,

Does anyone have a favorite (or know of any) bare storage server -- a box I can just pop at least six hard drives into and boom, I have network- or direct-attached storage?

I have a bunch of old hard drives around, and I'd rather put them into something dedicated to storage, preferably supporting RAID-5 natively, than build an old Windows or Linux box. That's a pain.

Thoughts?

You bet. Infrant ReadyNAS. Add one drive, it will set it up as a non-RAID drive and share the whole thing. Add another, and it will *AUTOMATICALLY* set it up as a RAID1 (mirror) for safety. Add another, and it will *AUTOMATICALLY* RAID5 them, so you'll have 2/3 of your space available, roughly. Add another, and it will *AUTOMATICALLY* RAID5 them again, so you'll have 3/4 of your space available, roughly.

And it does this with NO WORK or USER INTERACTION on your part, whatsoever. Oh, and NO DATA LOSS either. And it's all controllable via a web interface, does NFS and SMB, and works with and is guaranteed with Mac, Linux, and Windows.

This is their X6 and newer (and just released, and better) ReadyNAS NV series.

Hot stuff.

Could be faster at writes, though. RAID5 on these cheap devices is only so fast.... but for most people who just want storage and don't need massive speed, it's fine.

Tom's Hardware rated these guys the best.

(Disclaimer: Not related, don't have their products, etc., etc. - just going by reviews)

 

[MercenaryForHire]

Originally posted by: dnuggett
That's weird- you were first suggesting he use an old Pentium, now we are going professional grade? lol

Oh I get it, why doesn't he just become an enterprise customer of HP or IBM? Hell throw a suggestion like a blade and thin client next time he wants a new computer. Let's not half ass it here. :thumbsup:

An "old Pentium" is not necessarily any less reliable than a SnapServer 1100, for example. The reason you don't want to half-ass a standalone, proprietary NAS device is that you can't just swap parts if something gets f*cked up. Plus, a "high-quality, 24/7 workstation" in the P2 class would probably only run about $20 these days - and if a stick of SDRAM blows on that, someone on FS/T would probably sell you a replacement for the cost of shipping.

- M4H

 

[dnuggett]

Originally posted by: MercenaryForHire

Originally posted by: dnuggett
That's weird- you were first suggesting he use an old Pentium, now we are going professional grade? lol

Oh I get it, why doesn't he just become an enterprise customer of HP or IBM? Hell throw a suggestion like a blade and thin client next time he wants a new computer. Let's not half ass it here. :thumbsup:

An "old Pentium" is not necessarily any less reliable than a SnapServer 1100, for example. The reason you don't want to half-ass a standalone, proprietary NAS device is that you can't just swap parts if something gets f*cked up. Plus, a "high-quality, 24/7 workstation" in the P2 class would probably only run about $20 these days - and if a stick of SDRAM blows on that, someone on FS/T would probably sell you a replacement for the cost of shipping.

- M4H

There are several NAS standalones in the home user price range that would not be half assing it given the usage they would see. The key is knowing the type/brand of drive they ship with, to me that's where the point of failure comes in. However given that someone has the jack I'd agree to go pro for the setup. All I'm saying is it really isn't necessary from a cost benefit or reliability standpoint when talking about home use.

 

[ShellGuy]

The thing is that he already has drives so why worry about something that is shipping with drives. he can just build one with what he has. The p2 or 3 server would be a better soltion for him but isn't what he wants.



Will G.

 

[dclive]

ReadyNAS NV. Buy the $600 version that ships without drives. Includes snapshots too! (Yes, I'm impressed by this. No, I don't work for them.)

 

[dnuggett]

Originally posted by: ShellGuy
The thing is that he already has drives so why worry about something that is shipping with drives. he can just build one with what he has. The p2 or 3 server would be a better soltion for him but isn't what he wants.



Will G.

Ok so then again the key thing from a relaibility standpoint is the drives he'll put into the box more so than the box itself.

 

[ShellGuy]

If he wants to use old drives on a storage server that is his risk. The price of new drives now a days i wouldn't do it but that is his choice. I would build a standalone box slap in 4 drives of about 200gb each and bedone with it.



Will G

 

[imported_darin]

You could get a network cdrom tower that is empty. And put HD's in it instead of cdrom drives. There are lots of net work able cdrom type towers out there. That have ethernet
plugs in them for like novell networks or windows that you could just use for HD's but are not cheap might run you $1000.00 for a empty tower. It will have a network plug and somekind of controller built in to case so it can be seen on the network or in your network neighborhood area in the computer.


Are office had one of these because we had so share some cdroms and DVDs on are
network that many people had to have access to.

Have 8 ,10,12,20 drive models that you could use for hd's instead of cdroms might be limited to IDE or SATA or SCSI.

But is worth a look might find them for cheeper now last time I looked was 5 years ago so prices might be much less now.

I am looking for the same kind of sloution so let me know what you decide to do.

Good luck