Project: Evil File Server

E

EvilAlchemist

2[H]4U
Joined
Jan 11, 2008
Messages
2,730
Project: Evil File Server

Everyone need more stoage, well, I do at least.

In Q2 of 2009, will be moving into our new house.
Already have the server room in the design and 2 x 42U Hubble Racks ready to go.

My poor HTPC with 1TB of storage is just not enough to hold the ever growing TV and Movie Collection.

This system will function as a file server & Tftp server for Folding@Home Diskless Clients.

This is also my first rackmount build, so I am not used to the amount of space availabe inside these cases.

Hardware:

Case: NORCO DS-600S
Power Supply: Corsair 520HX
Motherboard: Abit IP35-Pro
CPU: Intel E6420
RAM: 4GB DDR2 PC2-6400
Video Card: Radeon x1550

Hard Drive 1: WD 80GB SATA - System Drive - Vista X64 Home Premium
Hard Drive 2: Maxtor 300GB SATA - TFTP Files & TFTP Backups

Raid Controler: Dell Perc 5/i 512MB - RAID 5
Raid Drives: Unknown at this time


*Now on to the Pictures*
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Front of NORCO DS-600S Case
DSCN2059T.jpg

Hi-Resolution Version

Back of the NORCO DS-600S Case

Case did not come with any rear exhuast fans.
Installed 2 x VANTEC TF6025 60mm Fans

DSCN2073T.jpg

Hi-Resolution Version

Have Optical & System Drives Installed
There is an empty 3.5 bay at the bottom of the cage.

DSCN2068T.jpg

Hi-Resolution Version

At this point, I have not connected the Perc 5/i to the backplane.
I left plenty of flexability in the sata cables to route the raid cables later.

Back of the Hot Swappable Drives
DSCN2071T.jpg

Hi-Resolution Version

There is plenty of room for the IP35-Pro in the case.
As other have said, the USB cables for the front of the case are not long enough in some situations (The 2 x gray wires on the left side).
I was able to connect them, but the wire is very tight.
I took them back off for the time being until later in the build.
It might also be necessary to see if I can find some longer cables if these can be replaced.

DSCN2050T.jpg

Hi-Resolution Version

Build going good so far. Will post more update as soon as i can.
 
Nice work!

So got any plans as to what drives you're going to use for the array?
 
Danny Bui said:
So got any plans as to what drives you're going to use for the array?
Click to expand...


That is the real question at this point.

I was planning on using some WD drives, but was reading in the Disk Storage Systems area that the TLER might cause some problems if not set correctly.

Trying to figure out the best drives to use ... any suggestions?
 
Nice setup.
Can you get some pictures of the whole thing though.
 
Seagate or samsung drives. I personaly have had great luck over the years with samsung but seagate drives will be one of the best ways to go.


Also I'd just throw the OS on the raid 5 on its own partition. That way if you loose a drive you loose nothing. At very least throw a second 80 gig drive in and run a raid 1 for the os. I'd rather have everything on an array for the small increase in cost and not have to reload windows and set everything back up if I had a drive go down.
 
swatbat said:
Seagate or samsung drives. I personaly have had great luck over the years with samsung but seagate drives will be one of the best ways to go.


Also I'd just throw the OS on the raid 5 on its own partition. That way if you loose a drive you loose nothing. At very least throw a second 80 gig drive in and run a raid 1 for the os. I'd rather have everything on an array for the small increase in cost and not have to reload windows and set everything back up if I had a drive go down.
Click to expand...

I'd stay away from the samsungs. As an owner of several F1's, I would advise against it. There are reports popping up with compatibility issues and higher end controllers using samsung drives. Even my little HP MediaSmart server is rejecting them (HP is recommending that people don't use the Sammys for the reason that they will just drop from the system).

Anyways, if you want to try it, go for it, personally, I just play it safe. I don't know what's up latley with all these incompatible drives latley, but it's starting to get annoying having to figure out what will work and what wont.


Right now the cheapest drives on the market are the seagates (thanks ZZF!) so it's really a non issue at this moment.
 
Had to take a few day break (due to work) but had some time to continue the build.


Thermaltake CL-P0372 92mm CPU Cooler
I had this originally in my HTPC & it preformed very well.
My HTPC got an upgrade and seemed like a great use for this heatsink.
DSCN2092T.jpg

Hi-Resolution Version

Got the Heatsink Installed. (No one likes those Push Pins)
Prime Test for 2 Hours - 51C @ max load - Stock Settings
Not a bad little cooler - and very low profile
DSCN2098T.jpg

Hi-Resolution Version

These SAS -> SATA Cables a great.
I had them bound correctly, well, so I thought. See Next Photo
DSCN2082T.jpg

Hi-Resolution Version

The frist time I connected these, I had them in the wrong order.
I tried to be smart, and put cable 0 on top - 3 on the bottom and 1& 2 in the middle.
When I tried to connect them to the backplane, I had them in the wrong order.
I then had to un-do and re bind them - 1 & 2 on the ends 0-3 in the middle.
This was due to the curves in the cables.
Kinda hard to explain ... just had to be re wrapped.
(I know now what Ockie must go threw)
DSCN2108T.jpg

Hi-Resolution Version

These back fans were a pain the butt.
Since they only have molex connectors, I had to find someway to place them.
I used zip-ties to mount them against the back of the case.
IT was the best I could come up with.
I really wanted some 3 pin connections, but this works.
DSCN2114T.jpg

Hi-Resolution Version

I had to add a PCI Slot Fan to cool the Raid Card.
The heatsinks on these are very small and it gets very hot. 80C+
This really seems to help the situation & helps to move a little air around the case.
Not a fan of the Blue LED's but had to be done.
DSCN2102T.jpg

Hi-Resolution Version
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That's what I got for now, will keep working on it when I get time tomorrow.
BTY: Is it good / bad to have the High Resolution Versions on here or is the small one enough?
 
jtg1993 said:
His name starts with Evil (EvilAlchemist).
Click to expand...

Good Catch ... lol ...

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Since my camera has been taken by the g/f, can't post any updated till she get back from her trip.

Been working on little cable management stuff here and there.
I also got Vista Home Premium x64 installed - no issued.

Now, comes the decision to choose some drives.
Ockie has made some good suggestions, now just have to find the $$.
 
Nice! I need to find a Perc controller myself for a home file server.
 
jtg1993 said:
His name starts with Evil (EvilAlchemist).
Click to expand...

oh well thats no fun, mainly cuz it makes sense, I was hopin for some drawn out story about how back in 1909 some doctor created an evil robot, and the metal from said robot had been used to make the case and now at night, the server roams the neighborhood lookin for things to "store".. :D
 
I got my cables from provantage, but my e-tailers sell them. They are pretty cheap.
I also went from 256MB to 512MB Ram on the Perc 5/i.

Many reports saying it helps performance. I need to run some benchmarks to show my speeds.

Been a while since I did an update ... I will get one up in a day or so ...
 
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