How to connect 6TB+ to a single eSata port?

[azirath]

I have an AOpen Mp45-DR mini-pc which i would like to use as a storage/media/misc-server (with Windows Home Server installed). Im currently using a very old desktop PC and 2x1TB + 2x2TB 3.5" harddrives.

The mini-pc has a single eSata port with no support for port multiplication and no space for a PCI-E controller. It has several USB ports.

I would like to know what my options are wrt. to connecting the 4 discs, preferably in a way that is easily expandable later (i store all my DVDs and Blurays 1:1 on the server .

I realize i will need an external multi-bay enclosure of some sort. What sort however i am not sure about, below are the options as i understand them along with some questions:

1. NAS
Will basically result in me having two servers, which i would like to avoid.

2. USB enclosure
Will definitely work and i could even add the discs separately. However performance would be pretty bad as far as i can tell.

3. JBOD enclosure
I am very uncertain about this option. Can it make all the discs show up separately in the OS without requiring port multiplication? If so this would be an excellent solution as then the WHS OS would handle discs being added dynamically.

4. RAID "SPAN" enclosure
An enclosure that supports "spanning" all the discs so they appear as one big disc could also be acceptable, but would such an enclosure support dynamically expanding the storage capacity?

5. Real RAID
Would be problematic since my discs arent of the same size. Also difficult to expand later.

Another primary reason for upgrading my server is to reduce power consumption. Are typical enclosures efficient when it comes to power consumption? And perhaps more importantly, will the discs be able to spin-down when not in use?

Thanks for reading, i realize this is a bit long, but i still hope someone has some suggestions.

 

[sminlal]

Something you might try is one of the WD External enclosures that have two drives in them. You can currently get them in capacities up to 4TB - but they're expensive:

http://store.westerndigital.com/store/wdus/en_CA/DisplayProductDetailsPage/categoryID.13093600/parid.13092300/catid.13092800

 

[marcellis22]

Drives in the computer, no external enclosure, JBOD's...How about PCI?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16816124028

 

[azirath]

Drives in the computer, no external enclosure, JBOD's...How about PCI?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16816124028

The mini-pc does not have any expansion slots.

The alternative to an enclosure is to buy a new motherboard compatible with the Intel X9100 cpu in the mini-pc and then add a PCI-E controller.

However, i would prefer a mini-itx motherboard, and they usually have PCI Express mini Card expansion slots. Is it possible to get a sata controller for such a slot?

 

[MRFS]

Try Addonics and/or Enhance Technology:

http://www.addonics.com/

http://www.enhance-tech.com/


Our contact at Enhance Tech is:

Ricardo Perdomo
Account Manager
Enhance Technology, Inc.
12221 Florence Ave. | Santa Fe Springs, CA. 90670. USA
Phone: 562-777-3488 Ext. 121 | Fax: 562-777-3489 | www.enhance-tech.com
World Headquarter: USA | Asian Branch: Taiwan


> How to connect 6TB+ to a single eSata port?

Because the latter was your original question,
you definitely need to consider a "port multiplier",
or an expansion card with an Infiniband "multi-lane"
cable connecting your host machine to your
storage enclosure.

A "multi-lane" cable bundles 4 x SATA data cables
and terminates at proprietary connectors e.g.:

http://www.addonics.com/products/multilane/

Enhance Tech's external SATA enclosures have
received very good reviews e.g.:

http://www.enhance-tech.com/products/desktop/E8_Ml.html
http://www.enhance-tech.com/products/desktop/E8_pm.html
http://www.enhance-tech.com/quicklaunch/workstation_SATA_ex.html


MRFS

 

[MRFS]

FYI: I'm looking at these pages:

http://usa.aopen.com/Products.aspx?id=74

http://www.logicsupply.com/products/mp45_dr


... and find these two specs for your motherboard:


Support Intel Core 2 Duo and Celeron CPU
Intel GM45 + ICH9M Chipset


Supports Intel Core 2 Duo Mobile (Penryn) & Celeron M (575/585) (not included)
Socket P 800/1066 MHz FSB


You shouldn't have too much trouble finding a
more modern mini-ITX motherboard which
works with your current CPU.

This Zotac has an x16 PCI-Express expansion slot
but it has the more conventional LGA 775 socket:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813500035&Tpk=N82E16813500035
http://techreport.com/articles.x/16642/1

"What we have here, then, is a something with the potential to be entirely more powerful than a mere hot econobox. With this, you could build the PC equivalent of a hot rod if you like, all while retaining the cute, compact form factor of a Honda Fit. Now that is an exciting enthusiast platform."


Here's another mini-ITX vendor:

http://www.logicsupply.com/categories/mainboards/intel


MRFS

 

[azirath]

This Zotac has an x16 PCI-Express expansion slot
but it has the more conventional LGA 775 socket:

I need a motherboard with Socket P in order to be able to install the Intel X9100 CPU from my MP45-DR.

Here's another mini-ITX vendor:

http://www.logicsupply.com/categories/mainboards/intel

I think something like this might do the trick:

http://www.logicsupply.com/products/ms_9818

Or perhaps this one (even has 4 SATA onboard so i wouldnt even need an extra controller with my current setup)
http://www.logicsupply.com/products/kemx_4032

I wonder if i will be able to find those for sale anywhere in europe. (EDIT: I see that Logicsupply ships to denmark, so if i cant find it anywhere else that will be an option!).

Thanks for all the answers.

 

[MRFS]

Address:
35 Thompson Street
South Burlington, VT 05403 (Vermont)
Phone: 802 861 2300 (Monday through Friday 8:30 a.m.–6:00 p.m. EST)
Fax: 802 660 2898
E-mail: info@logicsupply.com


Also, our Channel supplier in California is Roger Shih, President
of Micro City, Inc. in San Diego:

http://www.microcityinc.com/


He is very reliable and ethical, and a wonderful man too:
I'm sure he will be happy to ship to you, if you order
directly from him.

Email: "Roger Shih" <sales@microcityinc.com>

However ...

$269.00 for MSI Industrial IM-GM45
$139.99 for ZOTAC GF9300-G-E

You can buy a very powerful Intel LGA775 CPU
for that difference of $130 e.g.: Intel E5300
and have money left over:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116074&Tpk=N82E16819116074 ($70 USD)


MRFS