Refurbishing an Old NUC: Adding Dual SATA Ports with a PCIe SATA Controller
If you have an old NUC (Next Unit of Computing) barebone system, such as the NUC5CPYH, and you want to repurpose it as a local NAS server, you might run into a problem: it lacks dual SATA ports. However, you can easily add dual SATA ports to your NUC by installing a PCIe SATA controller.
Why Dual SATA Ports?
Having dual SATA ports is essential if you want to build a NAS server with redundancy and improved performance. With dual SATA ports, you can set up a RAID 1 array, which mirrors data across two drives for data redundancy. If one drive fails, you still have access to your data on the other drive. Additionally, having dual SATA ports can improve performance by allowing you to stripe data across two drives in a RAID 0 array.
Choosing a PCIe SATA Controller
When choosing a PCIe SATA controller, you need to consider several factors, such as the number of SATA ports, the PCIe interface, and the SATA interface. For a NUC5CPYH, you will need a PCIe x1 card with at least two SATA III ports. One such option is the Syba SI-PEX40014, which features four SATA III ports and a PCIe x1 interface.
Installing the PCIe SATA Controller
Installing a PCIe SATA controller in a NUC is a straightforward process. First, shut down your NUC and unplug it from the power source. Then, remove the screws from the back panel and slide it off. Locate the free PCIe x1 slot and insert the SATA controller into it. Make sure to align the notch on the card with the tab on the slot. Once the card is securely in place, replace the back panel and screw it back on.
Configuring the SATA Controller
After installing the SATA controller, you need to configure it in the BIOS. Restart your NUC and press the Delete key to enter the BIOS. Navigate to the Storage Configuration section and enable the SATA controller. Save your changes and exit the BIOS. Your NUC should now recognize the SATA controller and the connected drives.
Setting Up RAID
Once you have configured the SATA controller, you can set up a RAID array. To do this, you will need at least two drives. Connect the drives to the SATA controller and restart your NUC. Enter the BIOS and navigate to the Storage Configuration section. Select the RAID option and create the desired array (RAID 0 or RAID 1). Save your changes and exit the BIOS. Your NUC will now format the drives and create the array.
Formatting the Drives
After setting up the RAID array, you need to format the drives. To do this, you can use a third-party tool such as EaseUS Partition Master or the built-in Disk Management tool in Windows. Make sure to select the correct drives and choose the appropriate file system (NTFS, EXT4, etc.). Once the drives are formatted, you can use them as a NAS server.
- Refurbishing an old NUC as a NAS server requires adding dual SATA ports.
- A PCIe SATA controller is an easy and cost-effective solution for adding dual SATA ports.
- Choose a PCIe x1 card with at least two SATA III ports, such as the Syba SI-PEX40014.
- Installing the SATA controller involves inserting it into the free PCIe x1 slot and configuring it in the BIOS.
- Setting up RAID requires connecting at least two drives to the SATA controller and creating the desired array in the BIOS.
- Formatting the drives is the final step before using them as a NAS server.
References
- Syba SI-PEX40014 PCIe x1 to 4 SATA III Controller Card
- EaseUS Partition Master
- Disk Management Tool in Windows
// Sample code for setting up RAID in BIOS
1. Restart NUC and press Delete key to enter BIOS.
2. Navigate to Storage Configuration section.
3. Select RAID option and create desired array (RAID 0 or RAID 1).
4. Save changes and exit BIOS.