Micro-ATX for Virtual Host

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gimp

[H]F Junkie
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So looking to get a better homelab going.

While I interested in the SuperMicro E300-9D-4CN8TP
https://www.supermicro.com/products/system/Mini-ITX/SYS-E300-9D-4CN8TP.cfm

I don't want to worry about the whining 40mm fans.

I think I've decided on this:
https://www.supermicro.com/products/motherboard/Xeon/D/X11SDV-4C-TP8F.cfm

Now just to find a relatively small case that I would hope might support a 120mm fan, or at least a couple 80mm.

Thinking I might prefer one that doesn't have a spot for an internal power supply, and I'd use an external instead (mobo above can use 12VDC.

I have somewhat limited room and intend on (eventually) adding 2 or 3, so don't want to go all out on case size, and I don't have a need for much local storage. 1x SSD would be sufficient.

Been doing a ton of searching, but having difficulty finding the appropriate search terms to use to exclude the cases with room for internal power supplies.

Anything decent out there that I've had no luck finding?
 
I can get ya a great deal on an old server I have.

6core, 12 Thread (intel)
64gb ram
Micro ATX

If your game, PM me

My lab never used server grade tech. Just super “gamer” type hardware that runs VMware.

I was looking today at some hardware on Newegg. Looks like 2011v3 is still a valid option for 128gb+ but I believe that puts you in the Zeon rage.

2011v3 is what I have / run in my lab.
 
Orddie said:
My lab never used server grade tech. Just super “gamer” type hardware that runs VMware.
Click to expand...

don't necessarily need server-grade, but would prefer gear that's on the HCL.
Dealing with issues attempting to use a couple 8th gen NUCs and vSAN, but no idea if issue is related to non-HCL/certified gear or something else.
https://hardforum.com/threads/vmware-vsan-single-disk-noncompliant.1974510/

even if I didn't go with that particular Supermicro board, still looking for lower power consumption and small; which wouldn't really change the wants I have for a case.

part of the reason for the Supermicro was onboard SFP+ that already works on ESXi 6.7 out of the box and I intend on delving in to 10gb
 
Last edited:
gimp said:
don't necessarily need server-grade, but would prefer gear that's on the HCL.
Dealing with issues attempting to use a couple 8th gen NUCs and vSAN, but no idea if issue is related to non-HCL/certified gear or something else.
https://hardforum.com/threads/vmware-vsan-single-disk-noncompliant.1974510/

even if I didn't go with that particular Supermicro board, still looking for lower power consumption and small; which wouldn't really change the wants I have for a case.

part of the reason for the Supermicro was onboard SFP+ that already works on ESXi 6.7 out of the box and I intend on delving in to 10gb
Click to expand...

my gut tells me your issue is not with HCL hardware. Though i have been known to be wrong from time to time. VmWare will typically crash if its hardware issues and with today's chip sets you typically get the drivers for the key parts of the motherboard (storage and network).
 
Orddie said:
my gut tells me your issue is not with HCL hardware. Though i have been known to be wrong from time to time. VmWare will typically crash if its hardware issues and with today's chip sets you typically get the drivers for the key parts of the motherboard (storage and network).
Click to expand...

further testing yesterday, issue may be a faulty ssd in one of the nucs; or possibly sata controller
 
Orddie said:
how ya make out?
Click to expand...

gimp said:
so today... think I destroyed vsan again, by powering both hosts off.
per VMware, everything should get re-established.
https://blogs.vmware.com/virtualblocks/2018/07/13/understanding-ve-booting-w-vc-unavailable/
sadly, it did not. Or, has not.
Even after sitting for over 30 minutes.
each host did eventually report vsan datastore size and usage, but data reported was what the individual host was providing; not the total.
VMs showing back up with names as just numbers and status of invalid.

Powered my hosts off so I could validate up-to-date firmware on the Corsair m.2 and SanDisk SSD.
Had to use the hotswap bays on my media/fileserver for the SanDisk.
Ran the "long" test with the SanDisk SSD software. Both came back clean.
Also up to date firmware.
Firmware on Corsair m.2 up to date as well.

Yet on one host...
event.WARNING - VSAN device t10.ATA___SanDisk_SDSSDH32000G_______________183795801332_____ is degrading. Consider replacing it..fullFormat (WARNING - VSAN device t10.ATA___SanDisk_SDSSDH32000G_______________183795801332_____ is degrading. Consider replacing it.)

So now trying to run a test on the SSD while in the NUC; bit problematic figuring out what/how to do that, as I would prefer to use a live boot disk so I don't have to blow it all away again.

currently running badblock read-only test off a gparted live.
Click to expand...

gimp said:
well smartctl long test passed on the ssd.
running badblocks non-destructive read-write test.
if that passes then I'd have to say the issue is compatibility-related, and I'd be calling it quits with vSAN attempts for now.
Click to expand...

gimp said:
well I just fucked up.
I forgot I had disabled the vmw_ahci module one host 1, but never rebooted it.

oops.

vsan is back up.
still not sure what's goin gon with host 2.
even badblocks non-destructive read-write test came back with 0 errors, but host is still barking about the drive "degrading"
Click to expand...
 
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