HP DL380 G3/G4 for home use.

RimBlock

RimBlock

RimBlock

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Hi,

Considering how cheaply these can be had 2nd hand, how feasible are they to use as either a NAS, download box (disregarding the space factor).

Fit a PCI-X sata raid card for additional storage maybe.

How easy is it to remove the SCSI hot swap bays and replace with something like an Icydock sata backplane unit ?

I appreciate it will not be a solution for everyone but I will potentially have the room, can remove one of the PSU's and some fans from the unit to make it a little less power hungry / noisy ?

RB
 
Yep, seen that one but have 5 drives for a main array, a PERC6 array controller and another 3 drives for other mountable areas. I have the room for a server and will be getting a server cabinet anyway.

I can get the following for around 300 quid
HP DL740
4 X 3.0GHz Intel Xeon Processors
8Gb RAM
2 X StorageWorks FCA2214 2Gbps 133MHz PCI-X to fiber channel host bus adapter
2 X NC7170 dual port Gigabit Ethernet network interface adapter board
10/100/1000Base-T
1 X Ultra320 SCSI adapter - 64-bit
Rack mounted server

Would like to know if I can rip out the FC controller and hot swap bays so I can convert to SATA.

or for 425 quid
HP DL 360 Generation 5, 1.6GHz

2 X 1.6GHz dual core Intel Xeon processor
2Gb Ram
2 X Power Supply
dvdrom
rack mount kit


or upgrade my current PC and use the parts I need for a PC NAS for about the same price as the G5..... Dont really need to upgrade my main PC though as it works fine with normal stuff and games.


RB
 
The fibre channel HBAs will probably be PCI/PCI-X cards. Despite the DL740 being 4U, it's only got 4 HD bays - the theory behind these big servers is your storage is external eg DAS/SAN (as the FC controllers suggests). I've not seen inside a DL740 but I would guess it's all highly customised (like a DL380) in terms of connectors, metal work and the like.

Personally, save the agro and buy a Thecus / Synology / Qnap NAS box. They will cost a whole lot less to run. That DL740 will dim the lights every time you turn it on.
 
ok, ok.... Just a thought .:D

I have all the bits for a PC based NAS but need a new motherboard with either two PCI-e x16 slots or one and on-board video. Socket 775 boards are pretty hard to find here now especially with 2 PCI-e x16 slots :(.

Thanks guys
RB
 
Overkill in a home environment and they make a hell of a racket. SCSI or fibre channel storage is way more expensive.

For a NAS PC you'd get away with a P4 or low end Core 2 system tbh. Why the need for 2 x PCIe slots?
 
I was seriously contemplating buying a DL380 G3, 12gb ram, 2 x cpu, 2 x 36 and 3 x 146 SCSI drives for my home virtualization server. For $500 CAD. :(

Unfortunately the noise will just be too much. :(
 
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So my solution was:
DL360 + eSATA PCI card (a very thoughtful person highlighted to me that PCI cards will work in PCIX slots)

Couple with

A PC case, ATX PSU and hard drives hooked up to an Addonics port multiplier.

eSATA between the two and away I go.
 
I had DL380 G4 with 6x36GB UltraSCSI 320 drives and 2 3.2Ghz Xeons (with the optional cooling fans fitted - ouch my ears)

Didn't want to sell it (XenServer) but it was:

A) Way too noisy
B) Scared the life out of me when I plugged it an electricity meter (>400w)

so it got sold, better off buying parts from here and building a custom tower, you could build a 6-core system (AMD-V) with 4GB of RAM for around £300
 
JonRohan said:
I was seriously contemplating buying a DL380 G3, 12gb ram, 2 x cpu, 2 x 36 and 3 x 146 SCSI drives for my home virtualization server. For $500 CAD. :(

Unfortunately the noise will just be too much. :(
Click to expand...

So tempting and surely you can replace the fans with low noise versions ?. It is not like the machine is going to be thrashed link in a business environment ?.

d_brennen said:
Overkill in a home environment and they make a hell of a racket. SCSI or fibre channel storage is way more expensive.
Click to expand...

Yep hence the question concerning modifying the chassis to take something like the Icydock hot swap bay modules.

d_brennen said:
For a NAS PC you'd get away with a P4 or low end Core 2 system tbh. Why the need for 2 x PCIe slots?
Click to expand...

Yes, so I thought. Unfotunalily mine is hanging with one of the disk lights constantly on. I have a Perc6 which I am waiting to use but the current motherboard has only a single PCI-e X16 slot and no onboard video hence needing a board with two PCI-e X8 or higher slots.

ThorpedoUK said:
...
A) Way too noisy
B) Scared the life out of me when I plugged it an electricity meter (>400w)
Click to expand...

The noise I would hope can be modified out of it but the power usage is relly not good for home. I got some WD Green drives to try and save power usage and they are causing no end of issues with the 4K advanced format.

ThorpedoUK said:
so it got sold, better off buying parts from here and building a custom tower, you could build a 6-core system (AMD-V) with 4GB of RAM for around £300
Click to expand...

Parts are not so cheap here. You can almost add half again for a relative price based on currency and average earnings. I am buying most of my stuff from the US or UK and importing it at the moment. Unfortunately I cannot do that with OCUK.

I will put up another thread about the home build PC NAS in networking as there are still a few issues for those who are interested or may be able to come up with some suggestions around the issues I am having.

Thanks guys.

RB
 
Sorry mate I missed your location - my bad.

They are really tempting I know this too, I got a cracking deal on mine as well £99 from ebay! (for a G4 model that is a bargain! I sold it for £169!) but the power for me was the deal breaker I knew it would be fairly high but not that high when the system was idle.

I pulled the optional cooling fans out but it didn't make a whole lot of difference tbh.
 
RimBlock said:
So tempting and surely you can replace the fans with low noise versions ?. It is not like the machine is going to be thrashed link in a business environment ?.
Click to expand...

True, although I can get a new Dell server with 8gb ram, much quieter for $700 CAD brand new. No it won't be as good but it has SATA drives and can be run 24/7.

The old servers are nice but if they start breaking the parts aren't cheap. Plus they suck power like crazy.
 
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