Storage expansion utilizing DAS/ external JBOD

TrueNAS General
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I’ve got a Lenovo ST250 running my TrueNAS Core right now, I just finished replicating a backup to a spare system. Now I need to expand my storage on my primary system. Currently I’m running 6 HDDs and I would like to add more space without having to purchase bigger drives and swapping them.

So my thoughts are to get some type of external storage system and connect it utilizing an external SAS/SATA card like a 9300-8e. My question is what systems are people utilizing for this? I found a decent deal on a used Dell MD1200 with 12 x 3.5" bays. My question is when utilizing TrueNAS Scale would there be any compatibility issues using a Lenovo server to a Dell DAS? Or would they be mostly system agnostic because it’s just like a JBOD setup? Can I get something from Dell, HPE, Supermicro and any of them should work or do I need to stick with Lenovo?

I apologize, but everything I know about Servers and such I have had to learn the hard way as I have just learned by reading forums and lots of trial and error. So I appreciate any advice. Thanks.

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As long as it is a genuine SAS shelf, with SAS expander(s) but no vendor-locked controller, TrueNAS should be vendor agnostic.

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Their are smaller and cheaper options available. Here is one, (that I have no other knowledge of…):

The same company used to make an 8 disk disk enclosure, but does not list it any more. (The other 4 / 8 disk enclosures have hardware RAID, not suitable for TrueNAS.)

When using an external disk enclosure with SATA disks, but without a SAS expander, you need to keep the HBA to external disk enclosure cable short. Generally 0.5 meter or less. SAS allows up to 2 meter, or when using a SAS expander in the disk enclosure. But, SATA runs are more limited.

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Is there any way to really know if there is a vendor lock? On the server side I’m looking at flashing to IT mode for an external HBA. But I am not sure if there is any way to verify that it’s not locked. I would go with a Lenovo model but those seem to be a little harder to find than the Dell models.

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Thanks for the info! I looked up that drive bay and for how much it costs and how many bays you get it would be cheaper to buy the used Dell DAS. It would cost about $900 for 3 of those and they mostly appear to be discontinued. I only found one reseller and it’s a special order. So if you happen to know of another option that would be great. This is for home use so I’m trying to keep it as low budget as I can but I would rather spend the money on the right thing that will last me a while.