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Looking for advice for media server storage expansion (sh.itjust.works)

submitted 2 years ago* (last edited 2 years ago) by priapus@sh.itjust.works to c/selfhosted@lemmy.world

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I currently have a pretty simple media server. It runs on a desktop made of old parts and has 4 6 TB drives in a raidz1 array. It is used by a lot of friends who add a lot of media, so its been nearly at capacity for a while. The desktop has no more open SATA ports or drive enclosures, so I'm not sure what the best option for adding more drives is.

I know the most obvious answer is buying NAS, but I think it might be a little complex for what I need, because no other devices need any access to this storage. I was considering purchasing a DAS, as it seems like a simple option, but I've seen many people say its not worth purchasing a DAS over a NAS. Any opinions would be appreciated.

Edit: Thanks for the suggestions! I'm likely going to go with a new case for some extra drive bays and a PCI-E SAS controller, this seems like the best option for the simplicity and price!

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[–] stoy@lemmy.zip 6 points 2 years ago (2 children)

If you have a free PCIE slot, you can just get a SATA controller card.

I see other's talk about an m.2 -> SATA adapter, but I just don't see the point if you have a free PCIE slot

[–] priapus@sh.itjust.works 2 points 2 years ago

I wasn't aware of these! I'll need to check when I have a chance, but I'm fairly sure there's an open slot, thanks!

[–] tal@lemmy.today 1 points 2 years ago (1 children)

He said that he's exhausted his drive enclosures:

The desktop has no more open SATA ports or drive enclosures, so I’m not sure what the best option for adding more drives is.

So I guess he could use eSATA and some kind of external enclosure or something, but he's gonna need more than just throwing more drives in the desktop and adding a PCI SATA controller card to get more places to plug 'em in.

[–] hendrik@palaver.p3x.de 1 points 2 years ago* (last edited 2 years ago)

Well, the usual way I've seen people deal with this is either open up the case and leave the extra drives dangling to the side, or just lay them on the bottom of the case (or on top) and don't move it any more.

That works. Though, if you want to imitate that... Pay attention to the temperature of the harddisks. There is no air circulation if you just lay them flat on the floor and they might take damage from getting too warm.

But you can't really beat the price of that solution. 25 bucks for a SATA card and some old shoe rack with holes in the shelves, and you're set. Ready to accomodate 4 more harddisks.