[SOLVED] Converting DVD duplicator to a storage device

[WhiteRoses]

Hello, I was wondering if anyone had any idea on converting a Disc Makers Reflex DVD/CD copier to a NAS. I found a hot swappable bay that I could replace the DVD drives with, and all I want is to use the chassis of the disc copier.

I wanted to replace the DVD drives with this: https://m.newegg.com/products/N82E1...DpCR-vYFfcLzUoGrR1UaAlOFEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

And I need ideas on other things to do. Is there some type of NAS controller or a way to add the storage to my network with maybe another 5.25inch device? Basically looking for something I can add to one of the slots to allow the storage to be accessable without just running long SATA cables out the back to my server. Or is this a stupid DIY project?

 

[hang-the-9]

If this disk copier does not have a network connection, you will not easily add one to it. To modify it that way you pretty much have to design a network board and firmware to control it that can talk to the disks. If the thing has a USB connection and a computer will see the disks in the device as storage, you can use a router with USB storage port, maybe. It may have issues with seeing multiple disks at once from one connection.

 

[WhiteRoses]

If this disk copier does not have a network connection, you will not easily add one to it. To modify it that way you pretty much have to design a network board and firmware to control it that can talk to the disks. If the thing has a USB connection and a computer will see the disks in the device as storage, you can use a router with USB storage port, maybe. It may have issues with seeing multiple disks at once from one connection.

I don't plan on using any of the hardware in the duplicator for the build. Only the chassis. I'll add 3.5in bays to it, and need a controller to control them. All of the DVD drives and the duplicator board will be taken out. All that will be left inside of it is the power supply. I've been doing some research on nano-itx boards, because that would work, I just can't seem to find one with more than one SATA ports on it.

 

[hang-the-9]

I don't plan on using any of the hardware in the duplicator for the build. Only the chassis. I'll add 3.5in bays to it, and need a controller to control them. All of the DVD drives and the duplicator board will be taken out. All that will be left inside of it is the power supply. I've been doing some research on nano-itx boards, because that would work, I just can't seem to find one with more than one SATA ports on it.

This has 4 sata ports https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?item=N82E16813157809 but by the time you get a CPU, power supply, RAM, etc... you would have spent more than it would cost to get an even higher end empty 4 bay NAS box for your disks. https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?item=N82E16822108624

 

[WhiteRoses]

This has 4 sata ports https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?item=N82E16813157809 but by the time you get a CPU, power supply, RAM, etc... you would have spent more than it would cost to get an even higher end empty 4 bay NAS box for your disks. https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?item=N82E16822108624

The dimensions are too small to fit even Mini-ITX. I'm also looking into a sbc like a raspberry pi or an orange pi with a SATA multiplier. That would be a lot cheaper, but I'm seeing if I can find even cheaper than that.

 

[jsmithepa]

They don't exactly sell NAS bared controllers, and anything generic you want to stuff in there is likely to be too big. U must love that enclosure a lot.

 

[WhiteRoses]

They don't exactly sell NAS bared controllers, and anything generic you want to stuff in there is likely to be too big. U must love that enclosure a lot.

It's just a broken duplicator we have at work. I'm a PC repair tech and come across a lot of stuff and hate scrapping everything. But I guess it might just be a lost cause. I could go with a cheap SBC, but it might just be more trouble than it's worth. Thanks for the help though! If you or anyone else thinks of anything though, let me know!

 

[Alabalcho]

... I'm also looking into a sbc like a raspberry pi or an orange pi with a SATA multiplier. That would be a lot cheaper, but I'm seeing if I can find even cheaper than that.

Raspberry Pi does not have SATA port (I don't know about Orange Pi), so if you go that route, you'll go thru slow USB 2.0 Rpi interface (which also feeds the Ethernet chip). It will work, but the speed will be...

 

[johneric12]

I browsed for hours looking for a clutter-free and efficient way of storing DVDs. Then I stumbled across specialised DVD storage units by Neo. Now my DVD collection is safer, neater and more organised. Cherry on the top? It even looks pretty!