What do you need to build a disk shelf?
Need more storage in your homelab? Learn how the Titanus Disk Shelf project turned a noisy challenge into a quiet, DIY solution - and how anyone can build one too.
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In a homelab, adding storage to an existing server is often as simple as incorporating a disk shelf. By connecting an SAS adapter with external SAS ports, you can expand your storage with ease. On the r/Homelab subreddit, popular choices for disk shelves include older models like the NetApp DS4243 or the Dell MD1200. However, these models are notoriously noisy—a dealbreaker for many homelab enthusiasts. For those seeking a quieter alternative, the best solution is to build one yourself.
Building a Quiet Disk Shelf for Your Homelab
In a homelab, a home server is a versatile tool, serving as the backbone of various tasks such as file hosting, media management, virtualization, and more. However, as your storage needs grow, so does the need to expand beyond the server's internal capacity.
This is where a disk shelf comes into play—a modular extension for additional drives, connected to the server via the SAS (Serial Attached SCSI) protocol. The beauty of SAS lies in its versatility, supporting both internal and external connections. A disk shelf effectively bridges the SAS port from your server to an external enclosure, enabling seamless storage expansion.
In this guide, we’ll walk through the design and construction of the Titanus Disk Shelf, a quiet and efficient solution built for the Technodabbler homelab.
Step 1: Planning Your Disk Shelf
Before gathering components, it’s crucial to understand the core pieces required to build a disk shelf:
- Case: An ATX case that provides a framework for your drives and components. Ensure it has enough drive bays for your desired capacity.
- Power Supply: Powers the hard drives, fans, and any additional components.
- SAS-to-SATA Converter: Translates SAS connectivity from your server to the SATA drives in the shelf.
- Cooling System: Includes fans and a fan controller to maintain proper airflow and prevent overheating.
- Power Control Mechanism: Either an external switch or a breakout adapter to manually turn the power supply on and off.
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When choosing components, aim for a balance of cost, performance, and compatibility.
Step 2: The Titanus Project Components
For the Titanus Disk Shelf, the following components were selected:
- Case: A Rosewill RSV-L4500 ATX chassis, repurposed to house up to 12 drives using Rosewill RSV-SATA-Cage-34 modules.
- SAS Connectivity: A Dual Mini SAS 26pin SFF-8088 to 36pin SFF-8087 Adapter connects to the server’s SAS port, while Mini SAS 36Pin (SFF-8087) Male to 4 SATA 7Pin Female breakout cables provide internal connectivity to 8 drives.
- Power Supply: A Corsair CX500 was chosen for its reliability and capacity.
- Cooling with controller: The case was outfitted with multiple 120mm (behind the drives) and 80mm fans (at the end of the case), controlled by a PWM fan controller to fine-tune noise and airflow.
- Power Control: An ATX power supply breakout adapter with a switch made it easy to power on the shelf independently of a server motherboard.
Step 3: Assembly
- Prepare the Case:
Remove unused components from the case, and install the hot-swap drive modules. This step is crucial for organizing your drives and ensuring easy maintenance. - Install the Power Supply:
Mount the power supply in its designated slot and connect the breakout adapter or switch to enable manual control. - Connect SAS-to-SATA Components:
- Attach the Dual Mini SAS Adapter to the server.
- Route the breakout cables from the adapter to the drives inside the case.
- Add Cooling:
- Install the fans in positions that provide optimal airflow over the drives.
- Connect the fans to the PWM controller and adjust settings to minimize noise while maintaining sufficient cooling.
- Cable Management:
Neatly organize all cables to avoid airflow obstruction and make future modifications easier.
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Step 4: Overcoming Expansion Challenges
The Titanus prototype supports up to 8 drives. Expanding beyond this requires a SAS expander, a device that allows more drives to connect to the SAS adapter. However, this introduces complexity, as most SAS expanders require PCIe power. In a standalone setups without a motherboard ,this requires custom wiring or additional adapters to supply power.
For many homelab enthusiasts, the tradeoff between complexity and storage capacity makes the 8-drive setup an ideal starting point.
Reflecting on the Titanus Disk Shelf
The Titanus project was a success, achieving the goal of a quiet, functional disk shelf. The prototype performed admirably, with silent operation and efficient cooling, even when running multiple drives.
For anyone looking to replicate or improve on this design, communities like r/Homelab sub-reddit and the ServeTheHome forums are invaluable. They offer inspiration, advice, and support for tackling DIY projects like this one.
In the end, the Titanus Disk Shelf demonstrates the power of DIY in the homelab space: the ability to create custom solutions tailored to your exact needs, all while learning and growing your technical skills.