Hello everyone, I see there are many guides and threads on hardware configurations and recommendations for cases/chassis, HBAs, and backplanes. However, trying to synthesize all of this into a compiled parts list that works with each other feels intimidating. So I am hoping I can get a second opinion here.
I currently have a TrueNAS setup installed in a Fractal Design Node case, but I have outgrown the 8 bays it is capable of supporting. So I would like to migrate the hardware inside that case to a new server chassis that supports more bays. I think I will be able to reuse everything except the PSU, since going to a server setup will warrant included redundant PSUs.
Current Setup:
Motherboard:
Supermicro X11SSL-F
CPU:
Intel(R) Xeon(R) CPU E3-1230 v6 @ 3.50GHz
RAM:
32 GB ECC RAM
Future New Hardware:
Chassis:
Supermicro CSE-847E16-R1K28LPB 4U Server
Looks like this includes redundant PSUs and a front and backplane.
HBA:
LSI 6Gbps SAS HBA LSI 9211-8i
insert into MOBO to allow connection to backplanes
If I get a Supermicro chassis that includes PSUs, what cables do I need? Are these non-modular PSUs that will have abundant SATA and MOBO power cables?
My understanding is that Supermicro chassis has backplanes that are essentially SAS extenders. So although I am expanding the HDD capacity by a lot, the 6Gbps HBA can handle this. The 9211-8i card has two mini-SAS connectors. So one connection for each backplane (one front and one back). Is this all that is required? Any reason I should go to an -16i card?
The backplanes have multiple configurations available as far as how things are connected. Like I could have a 2x -8i HBA cards and this would mean I could connect each card to each of the 2 backplanes meaning I have failover capacity. Probably not worthwhile given that I am just storing media, but not sure if there is a general consensus if this was or wasn’t a big reliability improvement.
How loud would a server chassis be? I have seen there is an “-SQ” variant that looks like the difference is there are quieter PSU fans. So would the 80mm case fans here sound like jet engines? Or is the PSU fans the main culprit for nuisance noise?
I know some of these are pretty hardware specific, but I am new to the server hardware configuration world, so hoping someone would have a little insight to confirm or deny the direction I’m going in before I jump off the deep end.
@josh.dennis, I have two CSE-836 Supermicro chassis (check my sig for config) so I’ll try and answer.
1 - the chassis should come with the cable needed from the the power supply area to your motherboard. the power supplies are hot swapable so there is a small chassis inside the chassis for the power supply units themselves.
2 - correct, there should be a connector on the front backplane and one on the rear so you can run them independantly or some front backplanes have two connectors which will allow you to daisychain the front and rear to a single connector on the MB
3 - my backplanes support 16 drives and i’m running to a single connector on my MB and i’ve never reallly seen any impacts.
4 - definately get the SQ variants for the power supplies and if you hunt around you can find the quiet versions of the chassis fans as well. they are definately worth the investment as it will sound like a jet getting ready for take off with the factory fans at full speed. you might also be able to adjust them in the MB settings as well but i’ve never really had good luck with them.
