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Building an eSATA DAS

C

carpenike

n00b
Joined
Dec 1, 2010
Messages
18
Hello,

I'm currently trying to figure out a way to increase the available storage for my DirecTV HR24 DVR without opening up the case. From what I've been able to ascertain, the only "supported" (meaning non-warranty voiding) method would be to use some type of eSATA device. So that has me looking at eSATA DAS devices which support hardware RAID 5. Most of the devices that are in the price range I'm looking for (~$300) are not in the form factor I would want (more of a entertainment PC size that would fit in my entertainment center) therefore I'm contemplating building my own.

Where I'm stuck is in regards to the eSATA port that I would need on the self-built DAS. From what I can gather, the eSATA ports you traditionally get are client based ports and not host based ports. Can anyone point me in the right direction for what type of port solution I need to present local storage to an eSATA client?
 
eSATA can't be used in the fashion you desire.

It is a 1 to 1 link type that can only be circumvented by using proprietary chipsets. To use those RAID boxes you see you need special host hardware, you cant just plug them into any eSATA port.

1 HD = 1 eSATA port
 
Right, I get the 1 HD to 1 eSATA port.

What you're telling me now is the ability to pass 1 logical disk through that 1 eSATA port is proprietary technology owned by the various DAS/NAS manufacturers and there is no open source / alternative solution?
 
Most of these things are aimed at connection to a computer so I wouldn't bet on them working on your device.

Personally I own several IcyDock 4*HDD DAS that have eSATA and USB2, they use a SATA multiplier, but that's only for JBOD and is a SATA feature. For RAID you need a controller.
 
SATA JBOD multiplier technology is proprietary IIRC, you need 2 compatible chipsets to make it happen.



In other words, there are enclosures out there that are proprietary that only work with the add-on card they include, they won't just be plug and play with any eSATA port. There might be some RAID boxes out there that will present the array of disks to the host as a single disk and work but I am unsure.
 
Interestingly enough the IcyDock I have are sold either with or without a PCIe 1X 2*eSATA card (I have both), and in practice they work on some eSATA/SATA ports and not on others (when they don't work, only one drive is seen).
 
Aesma said:
Most of these things are aimed at connection to a computer so I wouldn't bet on them working on your device.

Personally I own several IcyDock 4*HDD DAS that have eSATA and USB2, they use a SATA multiplier, but that's only for JBOD and is a SATA feature. For RAID you need a controller.
Click to expand...


Aesma-- So what I would be looking for is a RAID controller with an eSATA interface. I don't think I've ever seen a RAID controller that operates as a host... every one I've seen assumes the ports will be connected to disks, not systems. Could be wrong though.
 
staticlag said:
eSATA can't be used in the fashion you desire.

It is a 1 to 1 link type that can only be circumvented by using proprietary chipsets. To use those RAID boxes you see you need special host hardware, you cant just plug them into any eSATA port.

1 HD = 1 eSATA port
Click to expand...

I'm almost certain this is wrong. I'm pretty sure that port multiplier is part of the eSATA standard, but just not one that is required and so is not supported by every host. I've certainly got a bunch of devices connected to eSATA with port multiplier and haven't worried about chipset compatibility. q.v. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Port_multiplier - generally I've only ever seen a maximum of 5 devices connected to an eSATA port-multiplier bridge.

However, it sounds like the OP wants an eSATA device which acts as a RAID, thus presenting one disc with the RAID implemented by the eSATA device. One of these:

http://www.span.com/category/RAID-Bridge-Boards~1282

A bridge board like this would do you: http://www.span.com/product/~28466

Overview of how you operate the bridge board: http://www.caloptic.com/store/PDF/SPM393_Overview.pdf

It seems pretty simple, with no requirement for host control.

Heh. They're even offered through Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/eSATA-hardwar...ie=UTF8&qid=1350499315&sr=1-3&keywords=spm393
albeit that's sold by DATOptic.

Anyhow, you'd also need a case, PSU, drives and SATA cables internally. If the case only has space for PCI ports, a PCI bracket with SCSI cutout would also be needed, like one of these http://www.aimtec.co.uk/addonics-on...rackets/pci-bracket-with-scsi1-punch-out.html.

There are also bridge boards in 5.25" front bay form factor, if your expected case has a suitable slot - your external connector would need to be though a SATA to eSATA connector somehow, though. http://www.span.com/product/~28465 is a typical example.

Although I've linked Span (who I've been very happy with, and who have been happy to help me with my original 5 bay storage box), there are many other retailers who seem to have the SPM393 in various guises. I've not actually used that particular controller, so can't speak for its performance or reliability, but I would expect a few searches for that product code would show up some reviews.

--
Gerph.
 
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carpenike said:
Aesma-- So what I would be looking for is a RAID controller with an eSATA interface. I don't think I've ever seen a RAID controller that operates as a host... every one I've seen assumes the ports will be connected to disks, not systems. Could be wrong though.
Click to expand...

By controller I just meant a chip with some brains to do the RAID and report it as a single drive. I knew it existed at least for 2 drives since I have bought one recently for a client that needed two drives in RAID1 on an eSATA port. And I've read here several people using a similar device but in internal form, allowing a RAID1 that looks like a single drive for the server.

Now gerph has shown us a 5 drives kind supporting RAID5.
 
carpenike said:
Hello,

I'm currently trying to figure out a way to increase the available storage for my DirecTV HR24 DVR without opening up the case. From what I've been able to ascertain, the only "supported" (meaning non-warranty voiding) method would be to use some type of eSATA device. ...
Click to expand...
Before you get too deep into your quest, are you aware that the HR2x DVRs are limited to (a single) 2TB (max) ? Even so, a 2x2TB RAID1 could get you redundancy.

But (again, if you were not aware), having your data/recordings "safe" is only as valuable as the longevity of the DVR that recorded them (recordings are keyed/encoded to that DVR). If that HR24 fails, its replacement will not have access to your "safe" recordings.
 
From my understanding, not many dedicated RAID controllers with eSATA support mulipliers.

From my experiments, the few chipsets that support mulipliers are:

asmedia 106x
certain marvell chipsets (can't remember the models)
Sillicon image si3124, si3132
jmicro J36x series chipsets

and all of the above are not hardware raid.

For enclosures, you can try:
http://www.amazon.com/Mediasonic-HF2-SU3S2-ProBox-Drive-Enclosure/dp/B003X26VV4/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1350526216&sr=8-1&keywords=hotway
It has 4-8 bay models using usb3 or 1 esata port with built in port multiplier.

If you want the enclosure with raid, then this

But i am not sure if your DVR box supports port mulitplier..if not then would be USB 2 or 3.
 
Last edited:
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Wow -- thanks guys for the excellent responses.

I've read of people using 3TB+ boxes with some of the DirecTV DVRs... Unfortunately it's real hit or miss on what will work with it and what will not.

I may end up just buying a standalone 2+TB hard drive and being done with it. Worst case scenario is all the recordings are gone -- that's hardly that big of a deal.
 
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