Yes I’m pretty sure I’m using that because I installed it some time ago. I would not be able to connect my 9 or 10 drives with out it
Alright - this’ll be news that no one wants to hear, but better it fails immediately then 5-30 months after you have your data on your drives it & suddenly it is all gone.
From being on the forms for longer than anyone with reasonable hobbies or interests should be, I can advise you that the port multiplier you have in your system is a killer. Avoid.
Cheaper, better, working options are available.
Are there possible further issues? Maybe. Would I replace that thing asap? Yes.
If it makes you feel better, you ain’t the first to fall for this & won’t be the last. Return it if possible.
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Ok here’s an update on this post after trying to create my pools I was able to create them. The only thing I did today was run smart test on each disk and everything looks to be ok. I don’t understand what was happening yesterday
Proceed with care - these port multipliers ‘work fine’, until they suddenly don’t. We’ve had MANY cases of data loss with similar products in the past.
Once again, there are likely cheaper & better options in terms of proper HBAs (host bus adapters) available. Something like an LSI 2008 should reasonably cost like $30 depending on your local used market & it would need nothing other than a fan pointed at it.
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Is this the device I need to add more SATA ports, are you telling me I should replace the one I got?
I don’t mind spending the money for my Nas to keep things running right. Do you have a link were I can snag one online maybe Amazon. Thank you brother
Yes. Maybe not specifically the LSI 2008, you can grab a newer version if you want.
Not sure I’d recommend any specific seller on Amazon, but
https://www.ebay.com/str/theartofserver?siteid=0&customid=&toolid=10001
is generally well regarded & respected. Can you find cheaper, working parts from another seller? Yes. Would it require niche knowledge on your end to identify?.. Also yes…
If you want details, have specific questions, need support, recommendations, then they are also a good resource.
I have no affiliation with The Art of Server other than occasionally being a customer.
Edit:
I really would read into the post I linked earlier for additional details & explanations on why I make a recommendation to switch from what you already have in your system physically to an HBA. The entire thread might be a bit too much, but at least the first post:
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Thank you brother, question? on this device I do not see any ports to connect any extra SATA cables, I am assuming you connect using those connections at the end on the card
Got it thank you I was wondering, appreciated
Yes, TrueNAS will do the required drive preparation but it does not do the testing to which I referred. I hope that you do not experience any infant mortality with your drives.
Good luck!
John N.
Thank you my friend
Let me say you really posted a good question. I’ve been doing this awhile; I’m running over 200TB and I never really thought what would happen if I just used a SATA controller and the onboard SATA ports and tried to create a pool. I know this isn’t any help but you opened my eyes to questions I never considered. Thanks for contributing.
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I can tell you that I have used the LSI series SAS adapters to great effect for years, and as mentioned, get a 40 mm fan on the chipset heat sink and you are good to go.
I purchased one of these recently:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/226496976714
and with SAS to SATA breakout cables, (Amazon.com) it’s cheap and reliable.
This is for a homemade external hard drive rack, if you are using your drives internally, you’ll need an internal SAS card with a different type breakout cable.
Art
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Already ordered it and it comes with breakout cables as well. I also ordered the 40mm fan for the heat sink,
I’m hoping it all works
The card linked by art is intended for usage with an external drive chassis.
Are your drives in internal or external (from the perspective of the server)?
There are adapters, it’s just a lot less tidy.
I didn’t get it the exact card I picked one up from Amazon. My hard drives are internal
This is what I’m getting
Alright.
Good luck.
Thank you brother
That’s for 8 drives, is that enough?
Art
His motherboard has a SATA controller made by Intel, but since no board name has been mentioned no one really knows what the OPs board is capable of. If the board has at least 2 ports going to that controller, it would be enough for the OPs 9 drives + an OS drive.