Rack-mount Hard Drive / Enclosures

[Corabar Steve]

Looking for hard drives or hard drive enclosures that are rack mountable in standard 19" racks. 1 or 2 U, with their own power supply (as opposed to USB powered I suppose).

Does anyone know if such a beast exists?

[BeerFunk]

Not sure, but if there isn't an off the shelf solution, you could potentially buy an old 1U rackmount PC and adapt it.

[Vectis]

Budget?

What you using it for?

What about a mid-range RAID platform such as
Buffalo Terastation III Rackmount Network Attached Storage with 4.0 TB (4 x 1000 GB) Hard Drive and LAN/USB Interface - Europe: Amazon.co.uk: Computers & Accessories

Or a tad cheaper (but smaller)
Buffalo TeraStation III Rackmount 2Tb RAID 0/1/5/10 Shared Network Storage - for 1u 19 inch Rack: Amazon.co.uk: Computers & Accessories

[Booche]

BUDGET Weres the budget on that Vectis :eek: lol

[Corabar Steve]

BUDGET Weres the budget on that Vectis :eek: lol
My question I'm guessing Dave (as in what's my budget?). Please start your own thread as it will only confuse the issue having 2 sets of questions in 1 thread.

As cheap as possible & to connect to a HD2500 as an external HD (as I've never been happy about having my hard drives loose on their own).

[Booche]

Sorry Steve my bad :(

[Vectis]

http://www.span.com/spanstor.php?p=3.5&r=1?osCsid=brf073s67uavegb3lv6b6jann3

??


Or, you can buy something like
http://www.maplin.co.uk/standard-rack-mounting-instrument-cases-34159?c=froogle&u=34159&t=product&ma=standard%20rack%20mounting%20instrument%20cases %20(1u%2019in%20rack%20case

and mash something up for yourself?

[Corabar Steve]

I'm looking to replace a 60 quid hard drive, I think the span stuff is a little ott.

Re the Maplin link, I wouldn't know where to start.

[WWDJ]

I'd be dubious whether any of the units at Span would be supported by the HD2500 anyhow. It needs to be FAT32 for a start and the OS on the HD2500 is proprietary.

If you want to rackmount, why not get creative with a keyboard drawer and tons of velcro. I'd say your biggest nightmare will be the power block, but you could easily fit a couple of drives plus a USB hub in a 1u keyboard drawer,

[Corabar Steve]

As with my search for rack panels a few months ago, it needs to look the part. I have a pro rack & it is smart & neat. The last thing I want is something that looks like it's been cobbled together on Blue Peter. Although you have planted a seed of thought (where's that CPC catalogue?)

Surely it could be formatted to FAT32 though (If funds did stretch to the Span kit)

[leelive]

I was looking at this last year but gave up on the idea. I think it is time for me to look again. It would be so much simplier if my 2 external 2TB USB3 Buffalo Drivestations were in a 1u Rack.

Been searching on Google for quite some time... they are not easy to find.

These look like they could do the job... but may have to contact the companies to confirm.
http://www.eclipsecomputers.com/product.aspx?code=CN-A1000BK&af=50
and
http://www.lambda-tek.com/componentshop/index.pl?origin=gbase30.5&prodID=B499061
I will send an email to both companies and post replies here if any of the items serve the purpose.
Lee

[leelive]

ps. These are around £80 each so hoping they do the job. It will be sometime before I can afford to buy a Buffalo TeraStation™ III.

[Corabar Steve]

One other thing. I'm only looking for around 500GB

[Excalibur]

I'd say that you've got to be somewhere in this area.
http://en.vipower.com/products01_01.php?ID=110
Vipower seem to kep coming up in this context. There are loads of models. You then need some form of metalwork to bolt the caddy into.


I'm already envisaging a dialogue between yourself and the chap who did your custom rack plate. ;) Good luck.

[Corabar Steve]

All well & good, but I don't have the first idea about the internals of the thing.

How do you power it for example?

I really need something that is either ready made, or that I can be told what goes in it & just plug stuff in.

[Vectis]

I was looking at this last year but gave up on the idea. I think it is time for me to look again. It would be so much simplier if my 2 external 2TB USB3 Buffalo Drivestations were in a 1u Rack.

Been searching on Google for quite some time... they are not easy to find.

These look like they could do the job... but may have to contact the companies to confirm.
http://www.eclipsecomputers.com/product.aspx?code=CN-A1000BK&af=50
and
http://www.lambda-tek.com/componentshop/index.pl?origin=gbase30.5&prodID=B499061
I will send an email to both companies and post replies here if any of the items serve the purpose.
Lee

The second item here looks most promising, but the problem is going to be the USB to SATA interfacing.

I think the simplest cheap solution is going to be a rack tray, a bare 3.5" hard disk, 4 holes drilled into the bottom of the tray, 4 screws fastening HDD to tray, and the application of one of these:
http://www.usbnow.co.uk/Adapters_&_Connectors-USB_to_SATA_Adapters/c42_49/p52/USB_2.0_IDE_&_SATA_Cable_(with_Power_Supply)/product_info.html

It will of course need the 4 holes drilling to line up with the HDD and some way of fastening the power supply (velcro wrap?) but that's probably the extent of the "hands-on" effort needed.

[Corabar Steve]

So that would be a USB powered HD then? I really want mains powered

[Marc J]

The problem with the NAS units is that although they have USB / eSATA connectivity, this is normally for adding additional storage to that already installed in the unit. It is normally NOT for accessing the data stored on the unit, in Network Attached Storage this is usually only done via the network, which means installing a switch in the rack as well...and then all the network configuration that goes with it.

[Corabar Steve]

So I'm guessing that would rule out virtually every suggestion in the thread so far then?

[Marc J]

So I'm guessing that would rule out virtually every suggestion in the thread so far then?

I don't know as I haven't looked through them all, but anything sold as a Network Attached Storage (NAS) unit with USB / eSATA connectivity is probably only expandable via the USB / eSATA, not accessible.

[Excalibur]

So I'm guessing that would rule out virtually every suggestion in the thread so far then?

The ones I have linked to have USB connectivity, and would only need a computer type power supply to function.

[Marc J]

The ones I have linked to have USB connectivity, and would only need a computer type power supply to function.

Or the power supply from this: USB 2.0 to IDE SATA Adaptor Cable with Power Adaptor: Amazon.co.uk: Electronics

The other bits would probably come in handy too, if you were knocking something up yourself...

[Corabar Steve]

This is all getting way to complicated for me.

Does anyone know of anyone that builds PCs that would be interested in making a rack-mount HDD to my specs?

[leelive]

I am having no joy either. Will see a local PC builder for help.
Lee

[Marc J]

A lot of external drive / caddy manufacturers supply a kit to rackmount it. For example this LaCie 2Tb d2 - eSATA 3Gbits, FireWire 800, FireWire 400 and USB 2.0) (http://www.dabs.com/products/lacie-2tb-d2-quadra-v2-1-7200rpm-ek-64RP.html) coupled with this LaCie d2 Rackmount Kit (http://www.cancomuk.com/Brand/LaCie/Product/62004?___LaCie-d2-Rackmount-Kit-108899) is all you need - total cost just over £200.

[greyhead]

Steve,

What about a DDS 80 drive caddy , just bought one from flea bay , brand new for £35 plus postage, obviously no hard drive in it but would do what you wanted , she had about 7 left before the weekend.

[Excalibur]

Steve,

What about a DDS 80 drive caddy , just bought one from flea bay , brand new for £35 plus postage, obviously no hard drive in it but would do what you wanted , she had about 7 left before the weekend.

Ah. Well, where do I begin? :confused: How long have you got?
Short answer: No. Non runner. ( For Steve)

Longer answer:
We've been along this road for months, and we got all excited about it. Until we found that a Denon would read the HD part, but not the optical drive. Cortex and Numark both do, which is why I've got one sitting at the side of me now.

NIce try, good idea, but not for Denon users. Thanks anyway.

[Corabar Steve]

Indeed Peter is correct.

If I went down the DDS route I would have the HDDs that I need. However I would also have 2 useless (for me as a HD2500 user anyway) CD / DVD drives & a 4U sized solution with it's USB outputs on the rear (which is something else I'm trying to avoid if possible).

Ideally I want a powered 2U (max) unit with its USB outs on the front panel

[deltic]

Ah. Well, where do I begin? :confused: How long have you got?
Short answer: No. Non runner. ( For Steve)

Longer answer:
We've been along this road for months, and we got all excited about it. Until we found that a Denon would read the HD part, but not the optical drive. Cortex and Numark both do, which is why I've got one sitting at the side of me now.

NIce try, good idea, but not for Denon users. Thanks anyway.

I'm still working on a denon solution,just need to take the top off the Dds unit and find out what makes it tick.

Need to find out how the optical drive is fitted,and can it be swapped for another hdd caddy. Or can it be nodded so the denon will read both drives.

[Excalibur]

Indeed Peter is correct.

If I went down the DDS route I would have the HDDs that I need. However I would also have 2 useless (for me as a HD2500 user anyway) CD / DVD drives & a 4U sized solution with it's USB outputs on the rear (which is something else I'm trying to avoid if possible).

Ideally I want a powered 2U (max) unit with its USB outs on the front panel

And aren't you glad that some of us have blazed this trail before you, ascending an almost vertical learning curve in the process.

I'm frmly convinced that there is a vast untapped market for this. Dragon's Den, here I come. :D :D :D :D



I'm still working on a denon solution,just need to take the top off the Dds unit and find out what makes it tick.

Need to find out how the optical drive is fitted,and can it be swapped for another hdd caddy. Or can it be nodded so the denon will read both drives.
There's always a Smartarse, isn't there. :D :D Stick at it, Andy. Good lad.

[Marc J]

Ideally I want a powered 2U (max) unit with its USB outs on the front panel

The LaCie stuff I posted would do the job, except for the ports being at the rear. That could be easily fixed with a small USB extension cable, perhaps even taking it to a fixed port on the front (just needs a small hole cut somewhere).

[Corabar Steve]

I'm still working on a denon solution,just need to take the top off the Dds unit and find out what makes it tick.

Need to find out how the optical drive is fitted,and can it be swapped for another hdd caddy. Or can it be nodded so the denon will read both drives.
Be sure to let us know how you get on Andy

[deltic]

Be sure to let us know how you get on Andy

Will do,just can't believe denon won't read both drives,when such a simple device like a cortex will.

[Corabar Steve]

And aren't you glad that some of us have blazed this trail before you, ascending an almost vertical learning curve in the process.

I'm frmly convinced that there is a vast untapped market for this. Dragon's Den, here I come. :D :D :D :D



The LaCie stuff I posted would do the job, except for the ports being at the rear. That could be easily fixed with a small USB extension cable, perhaps even taking it to a fixed port on the front (just needs a small hole cut somewhere).
There are so many things to consider with this, my head is beginning to hurt.

I'm off for a lie down.

[Excalibur]

Will do,just can't believe denon won't read both drives,when such a simple device like a cortex will.

Hmmmmmm. After that statement, I'm not sure whether you qualify for a :handbag: or a :beer1:

It could have been worse, I suppose, at least you didn't mention the P*****r offering. :D :D

[Marc J]

There are so many things to consider with this, my head is beginning to hurt.

I'm off for a lie down.

Send me £350 and I'll buy the LaCie stuff, screw it together and send you one pre-made :D

[Excalibur]

Send me £350 and I'll buy the LaCie stuff, screw it together and send you one pre-made :D

There's only one significant flaw in that Cunning Plan. It blows his budget out of not only the water, but also the stratosphere.

[deltic]

Hmmmmmm. After that statement, I'm not sure whether you qualify for a :handbag: or a :beer1:

It could have been worse, I suppose, at least you didn't mention the P*****r offering. :D :D

Gotcha:D

[Marc J]

To bring the USB 2 port to the front, one of these:

http://www.dabs.com/products/startech-com-1ft-usb-2-0-panel-mount-cable-6BC1.html

[leelive]

A lot of external drive / caddy manufacturers supply a kit to rackmount it. For example this LaCie 2Tb d2 - eSATA 3Gbits, FireWire 800, FireWire 400 and USB 2.0) (http://www.dabs.com/products/lacie-2tb-d2-quadra-v2-1-7200rpm-ek-64RP.html) coupled with this LaCie d2 Rackmount Kit (http://www.cancomuk.com/Brand/LaCie/Product/62004?___LaCie-d2-Rackmount-Kit-108899) is all you need - total cost just over £200.

Perfect. Thank you for this.
I will get two of those D2s (usb3) and a couple of rack mount kits.
http://www.lacie.com/uk/products/product.htm?id=10516
Champion.
All the best
Lee

[Marc J]

I will get two of those D2s (usb3) and a couple of rack mount kits.
http://www.lacie.com/uk/products/product.htm?id=10516

One rackmount kit might be all you need, as they can go side-by-side.

[Corabar Steve]

Send me £350 and I'll buy the LaCie stuff, screw it together and send you one pre-made :D
The amount of confusion that reigns in my head at the moment that is indeed a tempting offer

[Excalibur]

A lot of external drive / caddy manufacturers supply a kit to rackmount it. For example this LaCie 2Tb d2 - eSATA 3Gbits, FireWire 800, FireWire 400 and USB 2.0) (http://www.dabs.com/products/lacie-2tb-d2-quadra-v2-1-7200rpm-ek-64RP.html) coupled with this LaCie d2 Rackmount Kit (http://www.cancomuk.com/Brand/LaCie/Product/62004?___LaCie-d2-Rackmount-Kit-108899) is all you need - total cost just over £200.


Send me £350 and I'll buy the LaCie stuff, screw it together and send you one pre-made :D


The amount of confusion that reigns in my head at the moment that is indeed a tempting offer



Errrr, excuse me chaps, but I see only one HD. Steve specified two. Or does the Quad prefix signify four 500 Gb drives making the 2Tb? :confused:

Cat amongst pigeons, super duper low cost option:
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=310150689026&ssPageName=STRK:MESE:IT
( White, but there must be a Black one )

IDE option.
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/5-25-Mobile-Rack-3-5-IDE-Hard-Disk-Caddy-FAN-Pack-5-/250450249365?pt=UK_Collectables_HardDriveEnclosure s_RL&hash=item3a4fff8695


I'd go and have that lie down now, Steve. :p :D :D :D :D :D :D :D

[Marc J]

Errrr, excuse me chaps, but I see only one HD. Steve specified two. Or does the Quad prefix signify four 500 Gb drives making the 2Tb? :confused:

I don't think Steve specified two? The LaCie I linked to is a single 2Tb drive.


Cat amongst pigeons, super duper low cost option:
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=310150689026&ssPageName=STRK:MESE:IT
( White, but there must be a Black one )

IDE option.
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/5-25-Mobile-Rack-3-5-IDE-Hard-Disk-Caddy-FAN-Pack-5-/250450249365?pt=UK_Collectables_HardDriveEnclosure s_RL&hash=item3a4fff8695

There are loads of cheap enclosures on the market, but the important phrase you seem to be overlooking is rack mountable ;)


I'd go and have that lie down now, Steve. :p :D :D :D :D :D :D :D

I'm getting confused now, too... :D

[Excalibur]

I don't think Steve specified two? The LaCie I linked to is a single 2Tb drive.
Apologies. He didn't in fact specify two, but believe me, he wants two.




There are loads of cheap enclosures on the market, but the important phrase you seem to be overlooking is rack mountable ;) .
Again, accepted totally, BUT:
Steve knows a man who will construct the required metalwork for a very reasonable figure. You are correct in what you say, but that is indeed the simplest of Steve's problems.



I'm getting confused now, too... :D
Amazingly, for the first time in months, I'm not confused. :eek: :D :D :D With my method, Steve could achieve what he wants, with an extra drive on board as backup, for around £230.

[Corabar Steve]

I don't think Steve specified two? The LaCie I linked to is a single 2Tb drive.


Apologies. He didn't in fact specify two, but believe me, he wants two.
I did if you read between the lines a tad

Indeed Peter is correct.

If I went down the DDS route I would have the HDDs that I need. However I would also have 2 useless (for me as a HD2500 user anyway) CD / DVD drives & a 4U sized solution with it's USB outputs on the rear (which is something else I'm trying to avoid if possible).

Ideally I want a powered 2U (max) unit with its USB outs on the front panelThe DDS drive is 2U, 2 x 2U = 4U


I'm seriously begining to consider my idiot proof option & installing external drives in a 2U flightcase & using rack accessories for everything other than the actual drives.

[Excalibur]

I'm seriously begining to consider my idiot proof option & installing external drives in a 2U flightcase & using rack accessories for everything other than the actual drives.

I'd advise either waiting for Deltic to rip his drive to pieces, or risk the immense sum of £15 on a trial pack from here-

SATA
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Removable-Mobile-Rack-IDE-HDD-Hard-Disk-Drive-Fan-Black-/310230240065?pt=UK_Collectables_HardDriveEnclosure s_RL&hash=item483b29cb41

IDE
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/3-5-Internal-SATA-Mobile-Rack-Hard-Drive-Caddy-Black-/280537055903?pt=UK_Collectables_HardDriveEnclosure s_RL&hash=item41514fc29f

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=250714510867

[Paul S]

Steve, I wanted to do the same as you. Ended up buying an old 1U PC case on ebay which had space for two HDD's, I then used the inbuilt PSU to power the drives with a SATA to USB interface to connect them. Where there were extra LED's etc on the front I smoothed over with filler and then sprayed the whole thing black. The only thing I would like to change is to put them in removable caddies so that I don't have to bring my whole rack in to update the drives.

[Corabar Steve]

A plan is beginning to take shape. If it comes to fruition, expect photos from either me or Excalibur (probably Peter, it looks like he'll be doing the prototype).