The original post: /r/datahoarder by /u/Ezmiller_2 on 2024-05-26 20:43:08.
OK, so I have two rack servers --an IBM/Lenovo 2008 or so X3550 and also a Lenovo X3550 M5, both 4 drivebays. They both function perfectly.
The IBM x3550 is much more relaxed at what I throw into it...I believe the backplane or drivebays are hotswappable. Throw a drive in or take one out and it keeps ticking.
The Lenovo is much quieter than the IBM, and has faster. cheaper DDR4 RAM. It also has USB 3.0.
Both were ebay purchases, so you get what you get. Both use 2.5" drives, but my Lenovo can use 3.5" as well. The IBM doesn't have the BIOS/UEFI password problem that the Lenovo has. I bought it used, and did not receive the password. As a result, changing BIOS settings is a pain. It must be locked down at the UEFI settings, and I read that once the password is set, there is no resetting it.
I also have a Lenovo M72E SFF that is gathering dust in my basement. It functions perfectly. I really would like to use this model as it's quiet and very power-conservative vs my other HTPC, which is an AMD Phenom II X6-1050T or 1055T build I did myself. I started experiencing glitches with the AMD build recently, so I'm thinking maybe not using that one. I don't like the case either. The problem with my M72E is not enough expansion space for anything really. I could transfer the board and hope that it fits in a bigger case. Also, no native USB3, so minus one PCI-E slot for that. Also I have a PNY or Gigabyte 960 2GB fanless GPU in the GPU slot. So it's a bit tight. IIRC, I have one more PCI-E slot available, but they are half-size slots. Also PCE-E 1.x speed.
I have a WD 4TB external USB drive I've been holding everything on right now. All of my ripped media is on it. I also have 4 500GB SSDs, I have an HP P420 1GB FBWC and the battery that goes with it. I also have an IBM 46M0851 Raidserver card without the cables. I realize I need to buy the cables and battery if I am to use that. I also have a WD Blue 3.5" 4TB sata HDD 7200RPM I have available.
I'd rather go on the cheap side of things. I've asked on r/homeserver and r/homelabs a couple of times what to do. One person suggested using a Rasberry Pi, but I'm not sure how far out they are on supplies. Also I'm not pleased with how their original plans have not taken off the right way. And also how they treated the supply chain issue during the pandemic.
I was considering a SAS JBOD container, but want to save money and also not create more space taken up by my tech hobbies lol. I do want to future proof, to a point, my media collection. So 8TB would be more than enough for right now. I do use Linux daily if that helps. And I am familiar with the BSD OS to a point.
I live by myself and own my home, so I'm not afraid of using a room to store stuff for now. I have my rack servers in my basement currently turned off. I would like to minimize noise if possible, but I also understand how server fans work and they create noise. I'm not against a new build necessarily. I just would rather not spend a lot of money.
Also I'm in southern Idaho, so....everything I do will have to be shipped. The closest place that has anything is in Boise, and they didn't have much when I went looking a while back. Where I am at is mostly agricultural businesses.