On Fri, 2008-02-08 at 23:48 +1300, Apptech wrote:
> I want to add numerous SATA drives to a LAN.
> 8 would do, more would be good. This is by definition a 
> "server" requirement but lacks most of the rigour associated 
> with the term. Aspects such as backup, mirroring etc need 
> not be addressed here.
> 
> "All that is required" is to be able to read and, less 
> often, write files at "an acceptable speed". ie not stupidly 
> slower than if on a typical PC. Application is mainly access 
> to photos. Files are typically in the 1 MB-3MB range but 
> there MAY be a  Quantum leap for new files to 10MB+ each. 
> (RAW rather than JPG).
> 
> Drives are typically 300 GB range but newer one will be 500 
> MB and maybe 1 TB soon. Optimum $/GB is about at 500 GB 
> point. . (2TB are on the market but too dear yet)
> 
> Longer term this will probably become a more orderly 
> arrangement of fewer larger drives.
> 
> QUESTION:
> 
> Best cheap way to do this?
> 
> Two obvious ways are
> 
> 1     Several multi SIDE cards in 1 PC. Say 2 x or 3x  - 4 
> drive cards.
> 
> 2     Add USBS front ends to drives.
> 
> Option 2 is less certain and dearer.
> Option 1 is liable to create more PSU hassles.

Well, the big question is how will you be accessing the files? If many
users will be accessing them I would drop the USB idea. USB IMHO is not
the best for "multiplexed" sort of access. I've seen quite poor
performance from USB connected drives when multiple processes are trying
to access the volume.

I would go with option one. SATA PCI cards are dirt cheap, around $25
here. Most have 5 ports, so only two cards will fulfill your
requirements.

Power isn't much of an issue either, if you get a really beefy PSU (say
650W) you'll probably be OK. If it still bugs you, get a second PSU just
for the drives.

RAID is an option, but it looks like you just want tons of storage, and
since backup isn't an issue I don't see the need to complicate matters.

TTYL
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