Affordable iScsi System

Well the last one I designed and build was 12Tb, at cost around 8K, now I have a challenge to sort out one, that means it might not be as flexible as the original one but MUST cost be less the 2.5K.

Idea 1: 500Gb, Storage, with a E2140, 512M Ram designed in a PC, running E-Open Software cost £700

Idea 2: 2Tb Storage, with a E6650, 1GbM Ram designed in a nicer case, running E-Open Software cost £1400

Idea 3: 3Tb Storage, with a E8400, 2GbM Ram designed in a nicer case running with a Sata Raid 1, running E-Open Software cost £2300

Idea 4: Utiliase SS4200 or SS4000, add your own HDs costs from £400

Idea 5: Use the Bufflow Iscsi TerraServer cost £1800 for 2Tb

Idea 6: Netgear ReadyNAS with Iscsi Option, cost £1900 only 3Tb Storage

Idea 7: Overland Snap Server : 4Tb cost £2400 with Iscsi Option


Well the list can be endless, here are the reasons why I chose what I did: Ideas 1 and 2 were more PC Based, software choices were E-Open and EMC. These did everything we needed to just did not look right. I wanted it small as a 1U Rack Server, and have Hot swap bays.

Idea 3, Utilised the SR1530HSH Server which was based on the 1U Rack, and 3 Tb Drives, Still have to rely on E-Open Software.

Idea 4 has been designed by Intel, and yes can handle upto 4Tb, but the software is just - say no more, Yes I have picked holes and written to support getting more options. not very reliable with AD. You can add E-Open, Plugin, but then can have ISCSI.

Idea 5, is cheap, not really for business, excellent for home users, slow with connection transfer and apparently crashes allot.

Idea 6 was one of the best, it supports 4Tb can be upgraded on the fly using Netgear's own RAID-Extend technology, has options for Iscsi, but did not allow integration of Multiple Targeting for Iscsi. also failed when it came to integrating a second unit.

Idea 7 was the one I ended going for, Supported 4Tb of Storage, Fast offered Network Card Teaming, and Consolidation of Several units, support of attaching Scsi Card and Tape Drives. testing this system offered all the options need, also able to extent the array as and when we went along.