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zeratul021
Asked: 2013-01-16 00:35:00 +0800 CST

Simple way to extend server disk capacities

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What's the least cumbersome way to extend existing server's storage capabilities?

I have a SuperMicro custom server and a Dell PowerEdge 2950 and I would like to extend their storage with budget hard drives, not the server ones.

I'm looking for something like a JBOD chassis (12+ 3.5") that can be connected directly to the server via some kind of controller/extension card - and then be just in /dev ready for LVM/Raid.

hard-drive

3 Answers

  1. The simplest way is probably to buy a cheap NAS and to then stick the harddisks in there. Mid-range NAS devices will typically allow you to export their hard disks as iSCSI nodes, so you could then use them directly on your server. This might put quite a bit of strain on your network load, however.

    Alternatively, stick in a PCI-E storage controller with external connectors in there and just hook up SATA hard disks externally.

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  2. Server systems should not use disk storage in any non-redundant fashion - not for the OS, not for anything.

    JBOD itself is a huge no-no in server environments, as it offers no redundancy whatsoever.

    Instead, you could invest in a proper HBA such as a card with an LSI SAS2008 or better - this offers 2 mini-SAS 6Gbs connectors (4 lanes each), and allows you to connect 8 SAS or SATA drives directly, or one or two SAS expanders in an external chassis.

    These can then be RAIDed using md or lvm2 into RAID-10 and/or RAID-6 arrays.

    A basic HP SAS expander allows a further 24 or 28 drives to be connected; presumably, this will suffice for the near future.

    It all depends on your requirements - OS, storage space, transfer and access speed.

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  3. Best Answer

    While there's lots of smaller enclosures about (1-5 drives) I've not seen anything big enough for 12 drives. And since you probably want the disks in caddies, I'd go with a large PC case (or 2) and several esata connectors.

    A quick google turned up this, this and this, if you hunt around there are probably cheaper cases about. Or you could use a more convenitonal case and disk bay doublers like this. The problem with this approach is that you're going to need a cable for each HD (I believe that there are esata multiplexers availalbe - but they're very commonplace outside of dedicated enclosures).

    It might be a better idea to stick in a motherboard, OS, 10Gb ethernet and hook up the drives as an iSCSI target (don't route this through your existing network - use a direct connection / dedicated NIC or 2 in the server).

    (NB I'm not recommending these specific products just giving you an idea of what's involved).

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