Looking for external HDD Array hardware

[cruz610]

I want to setup an external hard drive array for my system in that I would only want 2 raptors in the actual case and then like 8-10 externally for storage. Does anyone know of a decent way to do this? I have been searching for some type of HDD rack but I cant find one:(

[phreakpiercer]

you would most likey be looking at an external RAID subsystem, and these can get pricey. I use some in my work place, and for a good performance system, you are looking at 5 grand. For a lower performance part, look at the promise systems, I believe them to be 2-3 grand.

Also note that these are ATA-SCSI systems meaning they use IDE drives, but interface with a SCSI host bus adapter in you computer, which means you better have a lockable PCI bus, or no plans on overclocking.

[animeguru]

^^^ Agreed.

You can google for an SATA Storage Array, but quite frankly, you're not going to like the prices you see. Almost all of them will be either FC or SCSI, so connecting them to your current machine will require additional hardware on top of that.

You may decide to run them in a file server. If you've got some old components laying around that you can donate to this cause, all the better. Just built a decent server, load up an OS, network and go to town.

I suspect that you're going to run RAID 5. If so, *nix will do a better job with lower CPU overhead for software RAID. Windows can do it, but it's a real resource hog in that department.

Rackmount Pro (http://www.rackmountpro.com) has a fair number of options (albeit fairly expensive), but you can look around and see the kinds of things available to you.

[ameoba]

I think the best you can do without breaking your budget is a pair of 4-drive Firewire enclosures with software RAID, which should run you $150-200 per. At that point, the Raptors become overkill.

Of course, if you have more expendable income than sense and actually want a large RAID array for your desktop machine, Promise seems to make one of the more affordable units (Newegg carries them) but it's rackmount. In any case, you're probably looking at a minimum of about a grand for a SATA->SCSI RAID box + the cost of a good SCSI controller.

[cruz610]

Thanks for the suggestions guys. Understand I am not looking for a RAID solution necessarily, I simply want the external unified storage solution. I have found a few something that is almost exactly what I am looking for; http://www.addonics.com/products/raid_system/ae4rcs35nsa.asp
However i still wish there were a way to have to be truly external with a firewire/usb2 connection.

[ameoba]

We just picked up some of these at work for about $200 each:
http://www.scsi4me.com/products/U7-4-B2.htm

They come in USB, Firewire & SCSI versions. Let me tell you, these things are -sexy-; the pictures on the website don't do them justice.

[adc1986]

not too sure about other people statements, but i have several hard drive racks. each hold 8 80pin sca drives each. the racks are 1u and made by network engines co. you could maybe find some like this for a cheap solution. might post a pic of it later tonight. Only thing is that i can't find any documentation on them at all. model number is non-existent on google and their website is absolutely useless so you would probably have a hard time finding one.

[dave_graham]

Promise makes some good external SATA racks...I can look at a few homebrew style things for ya, if you want, but...it'll be money.

for what it's worth, external scsi arrays are fairly decent. I've got a boatload of reconditioned Seagate 10K6 73gb Cheetah's (3 year warranty) that could fit into a nice external 8 bay array without much of a problem.

cheers,

Dave Graham

[adc1986]

ok here's a link (http://www.weaubleau.k12.mo.us/rack.jpg) to a picture..should work but the picture is 278k so beware to those dialup users like me.

[dave_graham]

ok here's a link (http://www.weaubleau.k12.mo.us/rack.jpg) to a picture..should work but the picture is 278k so beware to those dialup users like me.

the only issue i'd see with these would be if a disk failed and you needed to swap...with a tower setup coupled with hotswap bays, it'd be a simple matter of just swapping the disk.

cheers,

dave

[adc1986]

How often do you have to swap out scsi's? every 3-4 years?

Understand I am not looking for a RAID solution necessarily

For storage i would probably do a linux software raid 5 just in case a hard drive eats the dirt on you. How much storage are you looking for anyway? This could be a cheaper solution. BTW i picked up these racks off ebay for about $12 a piece shipped.

[Ice Czar]

and then there is ebay

which is a DotHill SANnet 3200RAID with 2200JBOD expansion
dual channel SCSI Ultra-2 LVD, Dual RAID card, 10 Bay Hotswap SCA (per), N+1 Hotswap Power Modual, Dual Error Reporting Moduals, and SAN software, and in this case it was loaded with a TB of Seagate 7200rpm HDDs

paid $550

bought 2 other ones as well (without the 2200JBOD)
and a case or 10k Seagates as well


but then, you look at those 20 drives, and 6 PSUs
and you look over at 4 ATA HDDs :p

there are slim advantages both directions, but damn thats alot of power and heat
Im still tryin to adapt to that (and the rest of my density project of actually filling out the rackmount and support it)

[FLECOM]

Promise makes some good external SATA racks...I can look at a few homebrew style things for ya, if you want, but...it'll be money.

for what it's worth, external scsi arrays are fairly decent. I've got a boatload of reconditioned Seagate 10K6 73gb Cheetah's (3 year warranty) that could fit into a nice external 8 bay array without much of a problem.

cheers,

Dave Graham

really? how many? im looking for like 36 scsi disks... have to be 80 pins... if they are 1" i need 36, if they are 1.5" i need 24... pm me :D

[dave_graham]

PM sent.

cheers,

Dave

[animeguru]

PM sent.

cheers,

Dave


I'm curious as well... though I don't need nearly as many as Flecom. :p

LMK about 12... depending on price. Same deal, 80pin, 1 inch. 1.5 inch is okay, but I won't need as many then.