Custom Storage Server

[caffrey]

I'm after a custom server on a low budget, it's main primary purpose will be storage. I plan on 2 ssds in a raid 1 config for OS and 4x4tb in a raid 10 config for the storage.

Hardware raid isn't totally necessary but hotswap would be although not a show stopper. It would also need to be in a rackmount case.

 

Anyone know of any suppliers that would do this ? Or does anyone have a parts list for similar ?

[jamesfed]

https://www.xcase.co.uk/ would be a good place to start. They can sell you the rackmount case (if that is what you are after) for you to then choose your own parts or do any builds for you to spec at prices cheaper than your standard Dell/HPE offering.

[Willott]

Rack or tower format? Rack wise, supermicro barebones, tower wise, I found dell were actually quite cheap for the chassis etc, and just put the cheapest hdd in their spec, then bought other hdds and ssds and carriers off ebay as the drives seem the expensive bit with them.

[Chris_]

Broadberry have quite a lot of options and are all customizable: https://www.broadberry.co.uk/storage-storage-servers

 

You can also get a decent warranty

[localzuk]

When you say low budget, can you define it?

 

As someone who has gone through the "custom" equipment stage, I would highly recommend not doing it completely custom - just not worth the extra maintenance hassle.

 

Do you want dual PSUs? How about warranty? How many people are going to be connecting at once?

 

Would something like this suit - quote S60088 (click here and enter that into the box)?

[caffrey]

Thanks all, I'm trying to keep it under 2k and it needs to be rackmount dual PSU isn't necessary.

 

Current server is old, it's based on consumer hardware (i5 720) with a highpoint rocketraid card running a raid 5 setup. It's been reliable, completely maintenance free and was built very cheaply. It's running 2008r2 and is also a DC, I'm wanting to split this role and have the server running either 2012r2 or 2016 in preperation for an eventual move to window 10 in the future.

 

It's only purpose would be storage and to be honest 8Tb is overkill.

[jamesfed]

Old blog posts but reminds me of - Inside a new Storage Server | my world of IT and Time for a new backup server | my world of IT

[Willott]

Could go for a dell R430 (basic spec) which would come in at about 1k with edu pricing (single 1TB drive), then purchase drives and carriers, 4TB enterprise sata come in anywhere around 135-170 each, and a 120GB PM863 SSD can be had for 80ish (ex vat), so with carriers off ebay, you'll be under 2k for that.

[caffrey]

Thanks all, I'll reply back with what I eventually end up with

[3s-gtech]

I know I bang on about them, but have you tried ICT Direct for a refurb server? Late last year I bought a HP SE326M1 G6 (I know they're fairly old now, but bear with me). That has two 6 core 12 thread CPUs, 96GB of RAM, 5x300GB SAS drives, dual PSUs and a warranty. It will take another 20 2.5" HDDs, SSDs or HDDs, and I added a 4 port NIC. That came in at less than 2k.

[caffrey]

I use ICT-Direct for all my PC's now can't fault them, just fancied something new for storage (unless @ICTDirect_Dave has something to tempt me with ;p) Edited November 9, 2016 by caffrey

[JoeBloggs]

Does the OS really need SSDs? If price is a big factor I wouldn't use them!

[caffrey]

2 x Samsung 750 evos come to less than 100 quid so doesn't add a lot to a build. Looks like I'm going to go down the DIY route with this as suppliers don't seem really keen to get back to me!

[ICTDirect_Dave]

I use ICT-Direct for all my PC's now can't fault them, just fancied something new for storage (unless @ICTDirect_Dave has something to tempt me with ;p)

@caffrey I might well have something for you.

 

I've got a DL380e Gen 8 lying around with 3 x 4TB drives. I don't have another to add, but if you can make do with that and a couple of SSDs it'll probably cost no more than £1k give or take.

 

Drop me an email?

 

 

Edit: Sorry for the delay. I've not been at my desk all week!

[caffrey]

@ICTDirect_Dave Email sent