Quiet/Space-Compact Way to Host ~20 HDDs for NAS?

dualcore on 14/08/2023 - 22:59

I have a fairly big data hoarding problem, and I am looking to store about ~160TB of data, expecting it to grow to ~250TB or so over the coming years. I was previously storing on Google Workspace unlimited, but they are enforcing their limits now.

I already have 20 HDDs that are either 16TB, 18TB or 20TB. For ease of management, I'd like to store this in one consolidated NAS, which I can build via TrueNAS, or other similar solutions.

The biggest PC cases seem to support 8 HDDs or a little more. The obvious way to do this would be to buy a rack server with a lot of HDD slots, but they are huge, heavy, and make a lot of noise for my small apartment.

Are there any other space-compact ways for me to put ~20 HDDs together? I don't mind using solutions like QNAP, etc, who seem to allow expansion units, but they seem awfully expensive for my use cases.

Ideas are welcome. Thanks!

Computing

Comments

  • ad62623 on 14/08/2023 - 23:14
    +1

    Just because it's a rack mounted case doesn't mean it has to be noisy. I have a Norco 4224, 24 bays.
    You just need to spend a bit of time, replace the stock fans, choose smart components.

    A quick google suggests the 4224 isn't available anymore, mine is 13 years old now, currently on it's second set of internals.

    • dualcore on 14/08/2023 - 23:42

      Thanks, very interesting… my only other reservation is that rack mounted cases also seem incredibly space in-efficient?

      I don't need massive read/write speeds (it's data hoarding / archival), I almost wonder if I could make do with a SFF PC and 3 of those 8x external HDD enclosure units?

      • ad62623 on 15/08/2023 - 08:55

        Yea it's quite big, can't get around that. But I've had 13 years of trouble free storage. Slot a drive in and out with no issues.
        While it can support high speeds, (each bay is sas compatible), I don't use any form of raid, just multiple single disks. Each disk spins down too, to save on noise/heat.
        For a while I had it sitting on its side behind a tv.

    • congo on 09/11/2023 - 17:56

      Large desktop can only do around 8 drives, so he would need 3 desktops.
      Not space or power efficient.

  • Master Bates on 15/08/2023 - 00:07

    Where did you source your HDDs from? I urgently need to replace a failed drive in my NAS, but don’t like the current prices.

    • notaccel on 16/08/2023 - 14:25
      +1

      East Digital HK on Ebay or from the recent HDD group buy from Neology

  • Look Up on 15/08/2023 - 00:26
    +1

    Lian Li PC-D8000 Black Full Tower Chassis
    Unfortunately discontinued, check for second hand

    Fractal Design Node 804 Mini Case
    Max 10 3.5" drives

  • garetz on 15/08/2023 - 05:18

    https://www.reddit.com/r/DataHoarder/comments/6wl2uw/non_ser…

    chasis that can do 20 disks.

  • skid on 15/08/2023 - 08:44

    A rack is the obvious answer.

    If you have access to a 3D printer, how does this look?

  • bigmicka on 15/08/2023 - 10:37

    Have you thought about buying a secondhand netapp disk shelf? You can then plug it into your NAS.

    https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/255688246627

    • Indomietable on 15/08/2023 - 22:29

      This thing is not designed to be quiet

      • bigmicka on 16/08/2023 - 13:37

        They are looking at putting in 20 mechanical drives, that certainly won't be quiet.

        If you are looking at any system with thatany drives you need to be looking outside the box.

  • crider on 22/08/2023 - 02:03

    Storj

  • vomit05 on 25/08/2023 - 10:16

    Fractal Define 7 XL can hold 18 hard drives and it's a PC case.

    This isn't free but you could try unraid for the os , you need a spare drive for parity and it need to be your biggest drive. Unraid is good for mix match of drive sizes and has Dockers and vms and easy to use and good community if something goes wrong.

  • Chris Lexar ANZ on 25/08/2023 - 16:44

    I personally use a 4bay Synology rackmount NAS at home. it's easy to expand later on.
    https://img1.doubanio.com/view/photo/l/public/p2887846247.we…

    I think for what you discribed, probably in terms of power consumption, ease of use and acceibility, probably get a high end NAS is your best option.
    (suggest to use it with a compatible UPS for additional security)

    • dualcore on 26/08/2023 - 20:20

      A high-end NAS that supports 20 HDDs are absurdly expensive. Like, $$,$$$ expensive.

      • Chris Lexar ANZ on 29/08/2023 - 12:16

        My DS1512+ was purchased when I was working in PC Casegear back in 2011, still works like a champ today.
        It's not the cheapest option.
        a 12 bay 2U is about 3k retail.
        I can go check my connections to get you two for about 5K
        and you need rack and UPS.

        However, consider the on going cost and longevity， I still believe this 5K is a better option

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