From 85b86945221389311955afdadcd8c129ede4bb76 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: Tobias Date: Sat, 16 May 2026 18:08:21 +0100 Subject: [PATCH] Add README.md --- README.md | 19 +++++++++++++++++++ 1 file changed, 19 insertions(+) create mode 100644 README.md diff --git a/README.md b/README.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..3a9a62e --- /dev/null +++ b/README.md @@ -0,0 +1,19 @@ +# Custom RAID Storage Solution + +## Motivation + +The server that runs tobiastime.xyz and various services I utilize daily is actually a SFF PC from 2012. Due to it's tiny size I can't fit harddrives within the machine's case, they must exist outside of it. + +Previously I utilized an external USB drive bay for mass storage, however I wanted to implement redundancy and fault tolerance for my disks. Due to my device's relatively weak CPU software level RAID via mdadm was out of the question, I needed a dedicated hardware controller. + +From what I researched there does not exist a consumer-grade external USB drive bay that supports RAID and can house as many drives as I wish to connect (8). Consequently I began to blueprint my custom RAID storage solution. I had two demands from the solution, #1 that it functions, and #2 that it is affordable. + +## Hardware +- 8x 4TB WD HDDs +- 1x LSI MegaRAID SAS 2208 PCIe card +- 1x Semi-Modular ATX PSU +- 1x ATX Breakout Board +- 2x Mini-SAS 26 pin to 4X SATA 7 pin breakout cable +- 2x ATX PSU 6 pin to 4X SATA 15 pin power cable +- 1x 40mm 5v USB fan +- 1x 3.5 inch HDD enclosure holding 8 drives \ No newline at end of file