Q on Powering an Expander

[blueflavorice]

Hello,

I don't have the big budgets some of you guys have so I'm planning on using my external SAS connection to link to a box of hard drives. I don't have an extra motherboard to use so I;m going with a barebones approach. So; does anyone have experience using a Powered Ribbon Cable to power a HP 24 Port 3GB SAS Expander card 487738-001 468405-002?

I think I have only seen reference to PCB Riser Extender Cards or the PICMG 1U Backplane with PCIe Slot. Assuming the cheaper options will work ; what are the pros and cons?

Thanks in advance.

$3.69
https://www.ebay.com/itm/PCI-E-Expr...e53c2d9c:m:mYat9RrLago_LI1C8sYuhpQ:rk:30:pf:0

vs

$4.74
https://www.ebay.com/itm/VER009C-PC...m=132532924704&_trksid=p2047675.c100005.m1851

vs

pricy @ $40
https://www.mouser.com/ProductDetail/IEI/PE-2SD1-R10?qs=BzYYIKzU6HUjefZkefWjvQ==

 

[Chris Moore]

Well, before you go buying these parts, can you go over what it is you want to have at the end, because we might just have some suggestions for you.

HP 24 Port 3GB SAS Expander card 487738-001 468405-002?

That is actually a less desirable part for several reasons, even though it can be had for as little as $15. It is cheap for a reason, not a good one.

I don't have the big budgets some of you guys have

Most of us don't really have much of a budget, so we search a lot for deals. What kind of budget do you have?

I think I have only seen reference to PCB Riser Extender Cards or the PICMG 1U Backplane with PCIe Slot. Assuming the cheaper options will work ; what are the pros and cons?

The concern I have is how far are you trying to go between the system board and where the SAS expander card will be. Because the PCI-E interface on that card is only there for power, it is probably best to get power another way.

pricy @ $40

If you think $40 is a lot to pay for a component you will likely use for years, you might have a problem.

 

[l@e]

Just unclear for me: do you have the card already installed on Hp server with sa-410(i)? On hp documentation it says it will work based on that smart array to add drives.
If you already have this inside your server i dont get why you want to use external pci socket, you can just buy an eclosure with sas connector (to match the connector of the card). Shoud be not very expensive but for sure more than 40.
Like this one for example:
https://www.amazon.com/StarTech-com...SY340_QL65&dpPl=1&dpID=41E7t+Lw49L&ref=plSrch

Please don’t refer to the link about current specs or price, just the general idea of what product type should be looking for.

It still will be more cheaper than having a standalone system setup.

 

[blueflavorice]

@chris ; thanks for reading; I'd be interested in what expander card you might suggest ; the external controllers are too mysterious to me and the HP gets referenced\use on a few writeups of a DIY drive enclosures.

@l@e ; the idea is to re-purpose what I have instead of paying for new equipment. My needs are simply to have extended 'dark storage' hd space that won't necessarily be powered up all the time.

 

[Chris Moore]

thanks for reading; I'd be interested in what expander card you might suggest ; the external controllers are too mysterious to me and the HP gets referenced\use on a few writeups of a DIY drive enclosures.

What kind of budget do you have to work with?

 

[Chris Moore]

These SAS Expanders work great. I have two of them.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/IBM-ServeR...on-Adapter-46M0997-Firmware-634A/163321588238

 

[Chris Moore]

Like this one for example:
https://www.amazon.com/StarTech-com...SY340_QL65&dpPl=1&dpID=41E7t+Lw49L&ref=plSrch

Please don’t refer to the link about current specs or price, just the general idea of what product type should be looking for.

The product you linked to appears to be a eSATA port multiplier device. They don't work reliably with FreeNAS. I had one for a long time (still do, but don't use it) and I fraught with it for most of that time. I don't suggest trying.
This is a SAS connected enclosure: https://www.amazon.com/Sans-Digital...UTF8&qid=1549287927&sr=1-16&keywords=sas+jbod

Still, kind of expensive for what you get, only eight bays. You can get more for about the same cost by purchasing used gear on eBay.
Would you like a link?

 

[l@e]

yes @Chris Moore, you are right just wanted to create the idea to have a box not just adapters and psu around, also that why i told dont refer to specs , just got the first that came up from search.