Reusing 8x3.5" HDDs with LSI HBA, SAS/SATA Backplane, and ATX 12v/5v Connections: A Tech Support Guide
In this article, we will discuss the safe and efficient reuse of 12v/5v ATX connections to power a ZFS backup target consisting of eight 3.5" hard drives. The setup includes an LSI Host Bus Adapter (HBA) and a SAS/SATA backplane. We will cover essential concepts, subtitles, and code blocks to help you understand the process better.
Background and Assumptions
Before proceeding, here are a few assumptions and background information for this article:
- You are familiar with basic server components (motherboard, HDDs, SAS/SATA backplanes, and HBAs)
- You have access to an old server power supply unit (PSU) with a 24-pin ATX connector
- You plan to build a ZFS backup target for data redundancy and protection
Connecting HDDs to the SAS/SATA Backplane
Begin by installing the eight 3.5" HDDs into the SAS/SATA backplane. Secure each drive and ensure proper cable connections between the backplane and the HBAs. You may need mini-SAS (SFF-8087) to SATA cables depending on your HBA ports.
# Example cable connection
SFF-8087 port (HBA) ---- SATA cable ---- SAS/SATA backplane
Powering the Setup: 12v/5v ATX Connections
After connecting the drives to the SAS/SATA backplane, focus on providing the required power to the setup. Use the following guidelines to ensure proper power connections:
- Connect the 24-pin ATX main connector to the motherboard, even if it won't be used directly.
- Find the four-pin 12v ATX connector and connect it to an appropriate port on the motherboard.
- For the 3.3v/5v rails, connect the four-pin Molex connector from the PSU to a compatible power connector on the backplane, ensuring each HDD receives the required 5v power.
# Example ATX and Molex Connections
24-pin ATX (PSU) ---- 24-pin ATX (Motherboard)
4+4-pin 12v ATX (PSU) ---- 4+4-pin 12v ATX (Motherboard)
4-pin Molex (PSU) ---- 4-pin Molex (Backplane)
Installing the LSI HBA and Configuring the System
Now, install the LSI HBA into an available PCIe slot on the motherboard and configure it for use with your ZFS backup target:
- Install the LSI HBA driver and management software.
- Access the LSI HBA Web BIOS to verify that the HBA detects all the connected HDDs.
- Create a new ZFS storage pool using the detected drives with the appropriate RAID configuration (e.g., RAID-Z1, RAID-Z2).
By following this guide, you can safely and effectively reuse a 12v/5v ATX power connector to create a reliable ZFS backup target with eight 3.5" HDDs, an SAS/SATA backplane, and an LSI HBA. Remember the following key points:
- Properly connect each drive to the SAS/SATA backplane.
- Use the 24-pin ATX, 12v ATX, and 5v (Molex) connectors from the PSU to power the system.
- Configure the LSI HBA and ZFS to create a storage pool with the desired RAID configuration.