HP ProLiant MicroServer

[Freaksta]

For anyone interested in creating one of these into a NAS you MUST have a look at unRAID software, the free version only supporst 3 drives but i think it has advantages to other software solutions, to post a few from another site:

unRAID

+ Try buying a 40TB NAS for a grand (without discs). You can't, because they dont exist at this level. With unRAID you can have up to 40TB of data space whilst retaining single drive failure, for less than a grand - mine will end up being 32.58TB to be exact as the useable space on a 2TB drive is 1.81TB, and I'll be using 2 drives for parity and cache.
+ Lose two drives at once? You'll lose data for sure, but only on those drives and NOT the whole array. Big plus.
+ More efficient for space than RAID setups - you basically have one parity drive and the rest are data.
+ Full control of what data goes on what drives - there is no striping
+ Incredibly flexible shares
+ Ability to "pre-clear" discs - checked and written with zeros, which means when you're ready to add it to the array, the storage expands within a few seconds.

- Write speeds slow in comparison to normal RAID - 30mbps without a cache drive, although this is on a big transfer which you generally only have to do once. A cache drive can increase this to 50mbps apparently.
- No true hotswap capability (although I have hotswap drive cages, I can't pull any out or put any in while the server itself is booted)
- Dual parity doesn't exist yet, so no matter how big your array is, you can only have one drive fail at a time (I believe this is being worked on though.

Honestly, unRAID has been a pleasure to install, and the user community is excellent.

Disregard the 40TB but if you want to read that thread here it is: http://www.avforums.com/forums/networking-nas/1347547-smurfs-monster-40tb-unraid-nas-build.html

Also i found some other interesting info which means you could make the beast take 6 drives by converting the esata to an internal sata but that requires you to reflash the bios otherwise the esata wont run at full speed, more info on that can be found here: http://www.avforums.com/forums/networking-nas/1429720-tims-7-24tb-tiddler-unraid-nas.html Another thing is that you would have to somehow put the drive in a case externally unless you can find a 2.5inch drive that big

This has become my project, but i will only be able to start in three weeks unfortunately!

 

[TJ99]

Ouch - sorry to hear about the card.

Well, I had my own lessons with the ram - purchased a set of Adata modules - dead end.

Now I am onto another pair of kingstons - will see the result this evening.

Compatibility my eye .

500672-B21 - Kingston equivalent = KTH-PL313E/4G

What's wrong with the RAM? I just bought some bog-standard Patriot non-ECC memory and it works fine, even with 1 stick and the 1GB ECC RAM the microserver comes with...

 

[iDOL]

Another thing is that you would have to somehow put the drive in a case externally unless you can find a 2.5inch drive that big

I am using one of these in my build - it's currently in transit from Performance PC. It's going to house 2 x WD5000BEKT , 2.5" 9.5mm , 500gb SATA , 7200rpm , 16mb cache in a raid0 setup.

It will house my vmware ESXi .

 

[justjaxx]

UPDATE:
The Asus GT220 does not fit - model ENGT220/DI/1GD2.
It is possible to get the card in, but the bottom of the active heatsink is too broad - pushes again the chassis and the card sits slightly skew. Will work, but you will not be able to secure the card with a low profile bracket.

I expect the same problem with the ASUS GT210 as the active heatsink looks identical.

Back to the drawing board...

 

[Freaksta]

if its a finned heat sink bend the fins at the bottom down or something!

Just my luck i was planning on ordering one of these babies and they have no more stock and its been pulled off there website! WHAT THE ****, i am pissed off now!

 

[greg_SA]

Check out the Sapphire cards - saw some people using them in their MicroServers... can't remember if it was 5450 or GT210...

 

[SomeoneEls]

For anyone interested in creating one of these into a NAS you MUST have a look at unRAID software, the free version only supporst 3 drives but i think it has advantages to other software solutions, to post a few from another site:

Disregard the 40TB but if you want to read that thread here it is: http://www.avforums.com/forums/networking-nas/1347547-smurfs-monster-40tb-unraid-nas-build.html

Also i found some other interesting info which means you could make the beast take 6 drives by converting the esata to an internal sata but that requires you to reflash the bios otherwise the esata wont run at full speed, more info on that can be found here: http://www.avforums.com/forums/networking-nas/1429720-tims-7-24tb-tiddler-unraid-nas.html Another thing is that you would have to somehow put the drive in a case externally unless you can find a 2.5inch drive that big

This has become my project, but i will only be able to start in three weeks unfortunately!

Unraid is definitely worth a look if it meets people's needs!

The bios flash is actually for the single onboard SATA port as it's meant for an optical drive so is limited to PATA(don't quote me on that) speeds, the bios flash would also be at your own risk, AFAIK its not an HP bios flash it's a user hacked bios flash.

P.S.- With regards to Graphics cards am in contact with a few suppliers to find out who has stock of an actively cooled GT210(ddr3) with a low profile bracket in box or separate that will fit, so that we can send everyone who wants one to them or order from them. Will let you know later on today, I got mine second-hand from a good friend so I just got lucky!

@iDOL my RAM also just worked 4GB mushkin I had in my desktop not sure what the code for it is though

 

[fish]

I just emailed Hpshop now and they all sold out and not sure when they will be getting more stock.

If any1 ordered extra one that they dont need please let me know.

 

[iDOL]

well, I had hoped to go with the ecc ram, but alas it seems to be not keen on working for me.

I am returning this today and well now I have a R1500.00 credit at a certain distro.

Also going to go for the generic non ecc ram. I am sick and tired of the trouble.

My Raidon MR2020-2S-S2 2-Bay 2.5" SATA / SSD Internal RAID 1 in 5.25" Drive Bay - has also not had any updates with tracking since it was collected from Performance PC.

Just filled with frustration.

I just want to get the goodie up and running - but it aint happening.

Bonus is tomorrow, I am attending a class form 8.30 Until 16.00 so there's no real free time.

 

[justjaxx]

if its a finned heat sink bend the fins at the bottom down or something!

U cant unfortunately with the ASUS Active cooled - needs to be machined down as it is solid - not flexible.

Just my luck i was planning on ordering one of these babies and they have no more stock and its been pulled off there website! WHAT THE ****, i am pissed off now!

Sorry to hear that - hope you manage to find one though.
Ive seen them at the HP Shop in Sandton City, but they were asking >R2k :wtf: for them... maybe you could negotiate them down ?

 

[Freaksta]

U cant unfortunately with the ASUS Active cooled - needs to be machined down as it is solid - not flexible.



Sorry to hear that - hope you manage to find one though.
Ive seen them at the HP Shop in Sandton City, but they were asking >R2k :wtf: for them... maybe you could negotiate them down ?

Cheapest ive managed to find one is R1429 in stock.

 

[Messugga]

I spoke to Prophecy and they unfortunately cannot get a low profile bracket for me. I'm sort of tempted to just get the guys at work to fabricate one for me as it's pretty simple. Just a plate with a bend, a slot and a couple of holes that the dvi port's screws go through. Would like to avoid that, but meh, such is life.

 

[SomeoneEls]

I've got a few old low-profile cards with brackets that you can cut/dremel to have an HDMI hole, if you want?

 

[Messugga]

I really wouldn't mind taking one off of your hands, if it's not too much trouble. I'll PM you tonight about it. Thanks for the offer!

 

[Freaksta]

Messugga what do u intend doing with ur system?

im not sure if i should go the windows home server with flex raid and xbmc, or just use it as a NAS, as i already actually have a media player(egreat!)

 

[justjaxx]

I spoke to Prophecy and they unfortunately cannot get a low profile bracket for me. I'm sort of tempted to just get the guys at work to fabricate one for me as it's pretty simple. Just a plate with a bend, a slot and a couple of holes that the dvi port's screws go through. Would like to avoid that, but meh, such is life.

Same problem here - I was planning to modify the bracket that came with the card (since Im gonna end up with two ) - just cut off the bit about 2cm above the HDMI port, make a 90' bend and create a lip to mount the screws. Worth considering....

My other option was to try cutting the low profile blanks that came with the server, but that seemed like too much work for someone without the right tools.

 

[justjaxx]

Check out the Sapphire cards - saw some people using them in their MicroServers... can't remember if it was 5450 or GT210...

Thanks... the problem is that suppliers cannot guarantee either the active of passive cooled when ordering - seems to be some sort of random allocation.

Most of the passive cooled cards don't fit.

 

[Freaksta]

Anyone know where i can source windows home server 2011 from?

 

[iDOL]

Anyone know where i can source windows home server 2011 from?

Not available locally as yet - but to pass the time and experiment, you can sign up for a sbs essentials 2011 180 day trial via ms or windows server r2 sp1 trial as well.

there's a few of them.

I've signed up for a few .

 

[TJ99]

I just emailed Hpshop now and they all sold out and not sure when they will be getting more stock.

If any1 ordered extra one that they dont need please let me know.

Wow, that sucks... Someone at HP must have been reading this thread and realised they were completely loony to sell a full PC with 4 HD bays for less than a 1-bay NAS or a an ugly mede - h8 - er.

I knew I should have bought an extra one

Oh and as for WHS 2011, it seems from Microsoft's website that it's only being bundled with servers and can't be bought separately... so there's no "legit" way of getting it unfortunately. More marketing screwing everyone over as usual.