Additional SSDs in Gen8 case

[juan9999 0]

I have a Gen8 that I'm planning on using as a NAS.

I have set it up to boot ESXi from the internal USB, and use currently have an SSD mounted in the drive bay slot via the Sata 2.0 optical connector (so half speed) that I use as the ESXi data store).

 

I'd like to be able to:

- add two additional SSDs that would be available to the NAS 

- migrate the current SSD to data 3.0 to get full speed

 

1. Is this possible? If so how? Can I use a card like the P222 to add another additional internal 4 SATA connectors? Do I have to flash it in IT mode? How do I do that?

2. Can I fit this all in the same case? Where can I get power?

3. If I can't fit it in the case, can I use an external caddy for the SSDs? How can I do this?

4. My Gen8 came with an optical drive- where can I get a cover for the Gen8 slot so that I can remove the drive? I have a 3d printer, is there an existing design?

 

Thanks for your thoughts!

[schoondoggy 841]

Are you running the MS Gen8 as AHCI or B120i?

What NAS OS are you planning to use?

[bym007 1]

Hi folks,

I am looking to add a 500GB SSD drive in the ODD bay. I am open to either 2.5" or m2. What options do I have in order for disk m/board connectivity?

 

Pls advise.

 

P.s Microserver currently boots off a USB and there are 2x 4TB currently installed in bays 1 and 2. I am planning to add 2 similar drives later to bays 3 and 4.

 

Edited November 14, 2019 by bym007

[schoondoggy 841]

1 hour ago, bym007 said:

Hi folks,

I am looking to add a 500GB SSD drive in the ODD bay. I am open to either 2.5" or m2. What options do I have in order for disk m/board connectivity?

 

Pls advise.

 

P.s Microserver currently boots off a USB and there are 2x 4TB currently installed in bays 1 and 2. I am planning to add 2 similar drives later to bays 3 and 4.

 

There is a SATA 3Gb/s port on the motherboard. There is a floppy disk power plug in the ODD bay, fdd power to SATA power adapters are available. What OS are you running? Is the server configured for B120i or AHCI? 

There is a PCIe slot if you want to add more storage options.

[bym007 1]

44 minutes ago, schoondoggy said:

There is a SATA 3Gb/s port on the motherboard. There is a floppy disk power plug in the ODD bay, fdd power to SATA power adapters are available. What OS are you running? Is the server configured for B120i or AHCI? 

There is a PCIe slot if you want to add more storage options.

 

Yeah, I have googled and found some pictures online of this port. I will get the floppy to SATA power cable to get going. Thanks.

 

I am running ESXi 6.5 (U1 from memory) and the 2x 4TB disks are still uninitiated and currently set in AHCI mode, as I am not interested in running software RAID.

 

I am hoping to pick up an E5-1265 on the cheap shortly.

Edited November 14, 2019 by bym007