BUILD I need additional SATA ports

[FrostyViking]

My freeNAS is hosted on an HP 6200 SFF (i3-2120, 6gb ram, 5TB total storage,2x2TB 1x1TB 1x250gb backup disk) I have since removed the internals into a larger enclosure to accommodate HDD's. The MB only has 4 SATA ports and as of now, they are all occupied. In about 2-3 months I'm likely to run out of space on those 4 HDD's and am looking into how to expand my storage without simply getting Larger HDD something like 10TB Disks and migrating the data over from the HDD's that I currently have. I have read that Raid controllers are not a viable option for FreeBSD/FreeNAS but I did find this (https://amzn.to/2X8gB7K) SATA controller on Amazon that would provide me with an additional 6 SATA ports. has Anyone used a product like this in their builds and how did they fair? are there special drivers needed or is this a plug and play option.
Thanks for all your help.

 

[danb35]

The hardware recommendations guide would have answered this question--you're looking for a LSI/Avago/Broadcom SAS HBA based on the 2008/2308/3008 chips. Widely and inexpensively available on eBay, reliable and well-supported in pretty much every OS including FreeNAS.

 

[Chris Moore]

I have read that Raid controllers are not a viable option for FreeBSD/FreeNAS but I did find this (https://amzn.to/2X8gB7K) SATA controller on Amazon that would provide me with an additional 6 SATA ports. has Anyone used a product like this in their builds and how did they fair?

I wouldn't trust this card. It might be fine, but it might leave you with slow performance or data corruption.
This is what I have been using for years:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/HP-H220-6G...9205-8i-P20-IT-Mode-From-US-Ship/192639052923
and a set of cables like this:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/2x-Mini-12...in-HDD-Hard-Drive-Splitter-Cable/401051944262

You can read more about it in this resource:

Don't be afraid to be SAS-sy
https://forums.freenas.org/index.php?resources/don't-be-afraid-to-be-sas-sy.48/

 

[FrostyViking]

This is what I have been using for years:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/HP-H220-6G...9205-8i-P20-IT-Mode-From-US-Ship/192639052923
and a set of cables like this:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/2x-Mini-12...in-HDD-Hard-Drive-Splitter-Cable/401051944262

Thank you, sir, I believe I will take your advice and purchase this product. Is this a plug and play option?

 

[danb35]

Is this a plug and play option?

Mostly. You should make sure it has the latest firmware and, if not, flash it so it does--there are lots of guides around here on that subject.

 

[FrostyViking]

You should make sure it has the latest firmware

Awesome, already did that, thanks for your help.

 

[gpsguy]

I'd upgrade your RAM first. 8GB is the bare minimum for FreeNAS.

6gb ram

 

[Chris Moore]

I'd upgrade your RAM first. 8GB is the bare minimum for FreeNAS.

Good call. I somehow overlooked that.

HP 6200 SFF (i3-2120, 6gb ram, 5TB total storage,2x2TB 1x1TB 1x250gb backup disk)

Please review this documentation:

Hardware Requirements
http://www.freenas.org/hardware-requirements/

It should be a simple matter to upgrade that. With the additional storage you want to add, it is even more important to have enough memory.