File Server - Norco 4220 + perc5i ?

[DSee]

Hello,

My current file server is powering 8x HDDs using a PERC 5i RAID controller + 2x SFF-8484 to 4-SATA cables.

I've recently acquired a Norco 4220 chassis and it looks like I'll need 2x SFF-8484 to SFF-8087 cables to connect the Norco's backplane to the PERC 5i controller.
The problem is that by doing this I'll only be able to use 8 HDDs.
I'm looking for the cheapest/best way to power 20 HDDs without having to spend a lot of money.

Should I just get rid of the PERC 5i and get a RAID card that supports more drives or would a SAS expander card (HP/IBM) be the best solution?

Also, If I keep my current RAID card and go down that path, what would be the cheapest/best value expander card out there and what cables would be needed to connect 20 HDDs to my PERC 5i?



Thank you.

 

[J-Will]

I'm looking for the cheapest/best way to power 20 HDDs without having to spend a lot of money.

me too

 

[s0lid]

If i recall correctly PERC 5/i doesn't work with HPs SAS expander. Only with Chenbros.
BR10i or m1015 are cheap controllers that are known to work with large variety of expanders.

 

[DSee]

Sorry to bump this,

Does anyone have any input, suggestions, etc?

 

[Dangman]

Some questions:
- Do you need more than 8 drives to be part of a RAID array?
- What motherboard are you using?
- Do you actually need a RAID setup?
- What OS are you using?

From the quick google search that I've done, it doesn't look like the Perc 5/i actually supports expanders.

 

[DSee]

Some questions:
- Do you need more than 8 drives to be part of a RAID array?
- What motherboard are you using?
- Do you actually need a RAID setup?
- What OS are you using?

From the quick google search that I've done, it doesn't look like the Perc 5/i actually supports expanders.

1)I don't need more than 8 drives per RAID Array. I'm planning 4-5 drives on RAID5/6 arrays.
2) Motherboard is MSI H61M-P23
3) I would like to have all disks in RAID5/6 setups. I'm probably loading 20x 2TB HDDs (media/streaming files)
4) Currently: Windows Server 2008 R2

It seems like the perc 5i doesn't support expanders, and as you can see my mobo only has 1x pci-e slot...

 

[Bookmage]

the perc 5 doesnt support expanders and your mobo does have a pci-e x16 slot, for a sas expander...

you could get a new LSI sas2008 controller (~$250) or + the intel RES2SV240 sas expander ($250) for 20 drives. wiki here

you can power that card with either a 4 pin molex or a pci-e x4 slot and it run 20 drives.

 

[DSee]

Sorry to bump this old thread but I need help again with this.

I ended up getting a Norco 4224 and keeping the perc 5i for the time being, however I'm running out of space and need to expand it ASAP.

Current Setup:
Case: Norco 4224
MOBO: MSI H61M-P23 (only 1 pci-e slot)
Raid Card: perc 5i
Drives: 6x 2TB (RAID5) + 2x 1TB (RAID1)

I would like to add 6x 1TB (would like to set it up as RAID5) and also have the capability of adding the remaining 10 drives later on.

Options:
1) Get different motherboard w/ more pci-e slots + 2nd perc 5i?
2) Sell perc 5i and buy another RAID controller + SAS Expander?
3) ??

Thanks..

 

[Dangman]

What's your max budget for expansion?

 

[DSee]

I would like to keep it under $500.
To be honest, the less the better. (trying to save money for xmas gifts)

 

[Dangman]

In the long run, you're better off with the HP SAS Expander + True hardware RAID card. The ability to hook up to 32 drives or more without replacing parts is a pretty nice feature to have. However that'll cost you close to $600+ based on the prices of the listed compatible RAID cards in the HP SAS Expander thread.

So if you want to stay under $500 or less, your best bet would be to get a new mobo and an additional Perc 5/i. Cheapest mobo I know that has three PCI-E x16 slots:
$123 - Gigabyte GA-Z68MA-D2H-B3 Intel Z68 mATX Motherboard

Plus a second Perc 5/i. That should total up to around $250 or so.