HP MicroServer G8 SDM alternative

[AVsonyfan]

All credit to schoondoggy for his original idea. A shame I am on the wrong side of the Atlantic to order an SDM kit as the import duties make it an expensive option, or would have if they were still available. I had to look around to see what alternatives I could find... and managed to find the bits needed on Amazon!

 

I must admit I am rather pleased with the end result of this project and may repeat it on the other Gen8 MicroServer. The outcome is a server with a mirrored system drive on the internal B120i, and the main drive bays connected to an HP P222 card providing a RAID-10 data volume. This is pretty much my ideal setup for a stable resilient but small server.

 

Sabrent 3.5" to x2 SSD Internal Mounting Kit (BK-HDCC)

Amazon UK - https://amzn.to/32qEVou

Amazon US - https://amzn.to/3h8Blom

The kit comes with all the cabling you need and all the required screws to mount the drives and bracket.

Two types of power splitter cables are included along with two SATA cables. The bracket holds two SSDs and provides a small gap between them.

 

I mounted the bracket next to the PSU but leaving a 2-3mm gap to allow for some airflow past the SSDs in case they get warmed by the P222.

 

Tips:

Put some insulating tape along the underneath of the upper chassis rail next to the PSU and drilled three small holes.

I used two strips on to stop the drill bit from walking across the metal. Drill with a 2mm first then a 2.5mm bit. This leaves enough metal for screws to thread in.

Check and measure each hole against the bracket as you go so that they line up. Bracket is then fixed in place using the provided screws (see photo).

 

 

The final part of the puzzle is another Mini-SAS to SATA cable the same as the one connected to the internal drive bays.

This is an SFF-8087 Mini-SAS [male] connector to 4 SATA [female] header cables. The 50cm cable from Jyopto works great and not too much spare to lose within the system.

Amazon UK - https://amzn.to/2CXAzgb

I could not find it on Amazon US site but there was one from CableCreations that same length.

 

Just need to add your choice of SSDs and cable up to B120i port.  I went with Samsung 860 Pro SSDs for the longer rated lifespan of write cycles.

 

 

I decided to forget about an internal DVD/RW drive and opted for an external HP F2B56AA slimline drive that can be plugged into the USB of either system.

Amazon UK - https://amzn.to/2EgSSxD

Amazon US - https://amzn.to/326uFmL

 

 

Sabrent also make a really good quality 2.5" to 3.5" bay converter adapter (BK-PCBS) that I have used in the EX490/X510 to convert from HDD to SSD system drives.

Amazon UK - https://amzn.to/3jbYBmT

Amazon US - https://amzn.to/335kXQz

 

Hopefully this information will prove useful to some looking to update their MicroServer.

 

 

 

 

Edited September 13, 2020 by AVsonyfan
add spacing for ease of reading

[AVsonyfan]

Just thought that perhaps some photos of the bracket and cables I used might be useful to see alongside the finished item!

 

[schoondoggy]

Very creative! 

Your cabling is much neater than any of mine!

Well done!

[AVsonyfan]

Thanks 👍

 

A bit of thought on where to loose the cabling always helps with the airflow inside the case. It helped finding a short 50cm cable set though as not so much to hide. Glad you approve!