16 bay 4U das expansion

Add more HDD/SSD bays to your existing rackmount server setup.

Build properties:

• Double your storage capacity

• No motherboard, CPU, RAM, etc. required

• Great for unRAID (limited to 28 storage + 2 parity*, unlimited cache / unassigned devices)

  • Support 15 HDD + 1 SSD in each 4U chassis, totaling 30 HDD + 2 SSD in 8U

• Cost effective, easy to set up.

• Low power usage - it's just HDD/SSD and fans.

• Easy expansion options for adding a second server later on.

*only applies to the Pro license of unRAID

Rosewill 4U server chassis with 15 bays (link)

I recently made a short video overview of this case (not specifically for this guide, so it's a little off-topic). It's a good case, has room for plenty of hard drives and fans, too many for my liking actually. I'd personally recommend reversing the fan wall and using Arctic 120mm PWM fans there only, and removing the front fans. I'd also recommend replacing the rear fans with Arctic 80mm PWM fans. This will allow for plenty of airflow but keep the noise levels at a minimum. The chassis takes a standard ATX power supply, which we will need to power both the HDDs and SSD. 

PSU

Cooling

Summary
 

So, that's nice and all... but what do I get?

For each entire DAS build, you get:

• 4U Rosewill chassis with 15 bays (+1 SSD floating in the chassis)

• Direct attach storage to your main server (typically running unRAID or FreeNAS)

• Room to run another small server in the back of the chassis with the drives still hooked up to the main server

• Low power usage - no additional CPU / motherboard / RAM to power, only drives

This DAS allows you to simply and easily upgrade your storage capabilities. It's rackable and stackable, and because it's the same chassis that many of you are using for the $145 / $375 build, it'll fit right in with your existing build. For those of you using unRAID, a server + DAS like this will give you 30 HDD bays + 2 SSD bays (or more). This is the limit of what unRAID allows on the Pro license. For FreeNAS or other OS, you can add as many DAS as you want, provided you have enough free PCI-E slots on your server's motherboard. 

Bonus: If you want to add a small system to the back of the DAS, it's simple. Install a system as normal, but keep the HDD cables routed through the chassis to your main server. Hook up the DAS' power supply to the motherboard, and make sure you turn on the DAS + secondary server first before turning on your primary server. 

For more information, you can check out the original DAS guide found here. (link)

Pricing

DAS build outline