Need some ideas for fileserver

[rypt]

I want to finally build a proper fileserver, to replace the AM2 system I converted to the task.

Now, the issue is that I need support for lots of SATA 2 HDDs, at present I have 7 1tb HDDs and 1 1.5tb HDD, all filled up ... so I'm looking for a hardware solution that can handle all that plus more (so thinking 15 HDDs in total)

The one thing that would be nice is to have the motherboard and whatever other cars be as small of a form factor as possible ... oh, and I have no interest in paying £700 for a super duper 10 SATA port PCI RAID card, as I have no interest in RAID and have no interest in paying so much for extra SATA ports when a £100 motherboard on it's own offers that many now.

So any ideas what I should use, it needs to have gbit LAN?

I would love something based on the Atom, but there is just no way to get 15 SATA 2 ports with a system based around it

 

[Akempster]

you will need to get a PCI adapter card for the number of HDD's you want if you store them internally which would lead down the RAID road. Alternativly you can use external USB storage devices but these will offer less speed than normal.

could i suggest getting a network drive instead, you can get multi drive bays which can do this and it would reduce power consumption significantly.

P.S. for file servers steer clear of xp home edition

 

[wonko]

Maybe the answer will depend on whether you want something that would just do the job, or whether you're looking to spend more money on shiny toys!

If you are looking for a case that could fit 15 hdds then I'd guess it would have to be a full tower, so there doesn't seem much point looking at ITX mobos without many sata ports or limited expansion.

Since 5 bay HDD racks cost circa £100 a pop, and quality multi port PCI/PCIe sata cards will also cost a few bob, you might be better off keeping your AM2 setup and spending the money on swapping out a 1TB drive for 2TB (and 3/4 TB when available) whenever you're low on storage to keep down the number of sata ports you need. It would also help keep the case size and power consumption down.

Alternatively there are external esata DAS units - I've seen ads for ones taking up to 8 hdds. No idea what reliability or performance is like though.

 

[rypt]

I'm looking for something that can just do the job, as it's used to simply store files

It really annoys me how there seems to be nothing on the market in this segment, you either have to go for expensive hardware with lots of useless features, or you are limited to whatever the latest gaming motherboard offers SATA port wise

There is nothing on the market that is just a simple board, doesn't cost an arm and a leg, and has lots of SATA ports... I really fail to see why PCIe SATA cards are so expensive as well.

As for OS, I'm currently running Win7 Server on the AM2 machine, and will probably stay with some flavour of windows as I have a few ideas for some custom C# apps I want on the server

 

[geuben]

I run an Acer H340 which cost £400 (with 2x1TB included), it takes 4 drives in total and does the job nicely. I have 4x1TB in it and am running out of space, so I intend to buy a "StarTech 3.5 SATA enclosure" which takes a further 4 drives and costs from £130 - £230 (depending on where you shop). It has USB and eSATA so I intend to plug it into the eSATA port on the back of my H340.

That will give me an 8 drive server for less than £550 and that includes 2x1TB drives.