SQL 2005 on JBOD and SAS/SATA setup

[andrewn2008]

I read the articles and forums on SAS/SATA, but they don't discuss the SAS expanders in detail.

Specifically I want to build a similar model to this one:
http://enterprise.amd.com/downloads/Pare_Down_Power_Up.pdf

or better technical figure here:

There are several problems.
1. Vitesse cards are no longer available. And LSI SAS expander are usually built into the chassis.
2. Chenbro has competition specifically Supermicro.

My server only has 1 PCI-X port, so I'll prob have it as an HBA.
I want to build a model similar to the technical figure, but I'm building with my own limited funds.
My goal is to get familiar with this type of technology to be able to recommend storage solutions that rival expensive SAN arrays.

If I want a JBOD solution using SAS drives, I can get Supermicro's 933EL1 chassis
If I use SATA, I can get 835T

However, I would like RAID 5/ 5EE in the chassis unit and have my HBA access the drive array.

Has anyone done something like this?


Thanks

Andy