Need assistance and advice with NFS Server

[sgt-mike]

Ok I've shifted around on the cases a bit even though the NFS is sitting in a CM HAF 922 right now , which I've already ordered the drive bay modules for 1 -4 drive x3 - 5.25" slot and a 3 drive x 2 - 5.25" totaling 7 drives external plus the 5 internal bays (12 drives). The hotswap external modules fills the available external drive bays very nicely in the 922 case. In the mean time I had procured another additional HAF 922 case for another system.

Then I seen this on auction. Just have to have that case I thought, as in my mind that would be a better option. Six 5.25" external bays visions of 9 drives external modules total plus 5 internal totaling 14 drives danced in my head.
https://shopgoodwill.com/item/212043031
Identified by a Goodwill worker as a HAF 942 case incorrectly, it's really a HAF X case.
My first and foremost thought and action was to procure it because I seen it had 6 slot 5.25" external which would allow me to place 3 - 3 drive x 2-5.25" bay modules supporting 9 drives externally , plus the 5 internal bays totaling 14 drives.

While waiting on the case to get here on this upcoming monday (14th Oct) I delved a little more into the case design and features once I won the auction. As for the internals I could stick them in a empty 922 case as a media server depending on what is there, and if it's more capable than my present media server. Now comes the fly in the ointment .

Only to find out the bottom two 5.25" slots have a X-dock feature, that threw a kink into the case planning.

Kind of ..... I did notice that the X-dock is removable and is SATA only capable not really a downside but won't support my SAS drives. I do have a couple of SATA drives sitting around, so I could transfer the X-dock device to one of the 922 cases (I think). That is if I'm stuck like glue to my original thoughts. OR I could leave it.

As I ponder this before ordering more of the 3 drive module to fill the 6 bays. That X-dock looks like it would be great for transferring files en-mass and should be way faster than over the network or a USB connected drive. The other advantage is use those two X-dock Hotswap bays to store snapshots of the ZFS pools in my back up strategy . Mount them when I need them unmount when I don't .
This causes me to re-think my plans, many ways to do this. Like I mentioned I had already ordered the drive modules and they are nested into one of the 922 cases right now waiting on cabling.
If I leave the X-dock in place I would only need two of the 3 - drive modules , one bay module I can pull from the 922 case, or simply order two for now.

That would allow the other 922 to be ready to slave it's drive bays to the NFS once I order the expander cards in the future. I could swap one 3 bay drive module from the 922 case to the Haf X and place the Xdock in the 922 and still achieve the same plan.

(how many SAS drives do I have on hand right now? - 9 -4TB, either way is achievable / supportable, and will be while before I have to go outside the case.)

What would you do with this self inflected plan upheaval ???? I think I have a initial plan just need a nudge. keep the X-dock in or not?
https://www.overclockersclub.com/rev..._master_haf_x/

[sgt-mike]

OK update time again:
The HAF X case with it's internals arrive yesterday. Checked the Motherboard / CPU was hoping for a 4th Gen or later CPU.. nope 3rd gen i7 3770K. Pulled the internals out of the HAF X case. Gingerly installed the NFS internals in. Made a choice that the X-dock module was to be pulled out. Upgraded intake and exhaust fans, and temporarily placed the 4 Drive bay module in just to fill the holes. (I'll shift that 4 drive bay module to the media server build in the now spare HAF 922 case, two expanders and the NFS will have access to those drives as well).

So Monday / Tuesday I guess I'll order two more of the Athena Power 3 drive bay modules from New Egg in order to properly fill the external bays up. Leaving me with 5 internal bays free to add more drives when the time arrives. This time I'll go to ebay or something to find a US supplier/shipper for the two more sff 8463 to sata breakout cables. It's flat taking too long for the shipment from China. Yeah I know I'm impatient ( but 30 days WOW, not a problem if they was spares). But maybe the new order and everything will be here when the cabling from China arrives which will be great.

As madscientist pointed out I'll look at adding either extra fans in a push / pull bracket configuration, or upgrading the fans on the module case before putting the drives to actual work.

Oh I almost forgot the replacement 16i HBA made it here and is working fine so far. Pulled the 8i HBA and put it on the shelf as a backup.