I've got an R730 (16*2.5s) doing most of my compute stuff. How could I cheaply add 12 or so 3.5s to it for storage/archiving. Seems like an md1200 is the way to go for about $200. But for like $250 I could just get a low speced 730xd OR if anybody makes a 4u half depth DAS for 24 drives that would be awesome, but Likley way more expensive than reracking stuff to make room for a regular 2u to add to my rack. What gives, should I go disk shelf or add a whole nother server. I guess for the disk shelf I can keep it when I upgrade my r730 to an R750 in a few years? Or will at that point the 1200 feel obsolete as well. Maybe I should get an md3400? But now that's still costing more than an entire server.
OR if anybody makes a 4u half depth DAS for 24 drives that would be awesome, but Likley way more expensive than reracking stuff to make room for a regular 2u
Anybody ever make any choices like this and care to share your feelings on your decision?
I've got an 8x3.5 r530 runnnng my security cameras as well as a few optiplexes in my rack already.
Ideally I would like a shorty (half depth?)12 bay DAS I can mount bacwards in the rear and keep my keyboard tray across from it in the same 2u space. Seems like a custom AliExpress build would be the only realistic thing to do here.