Atom Quartet. Solution for optimal placement of cheap computers in the rack
Over the decade of work in the field of information protection, I have come across several reliable systems that are not resource intensive, but have a number of formal limitations when deploying them.
An example of such a system is GFS (Google File System), where cheap computers with 1 or 2 hard drives act as chunks. Reliability of information storage is just provided by reserving not the hard drives, but the entire server chunk.
When building such a system, the main parameter is - the cheapness of the composite components and the convenience of the location of the devices.
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This article will describe the practical experience of optimizing the placement of 4 computers within one 19 "server chassis. Many pictures
So, the task was defined as follows: It is necessary to organize 3 independent servers working with each other, having data backup and allowing to quickly replace the failed components. It is also necessary to ensure the placement of servers in the 19 '' rack.
To solve the problem, information on this topic was searched for: Mini ITX as the basis for the home server part 2 and Intel Atom colocation . Google gave a couple of interesting solutions that have disappeared due to the timing and the lack of a company ready to deliver such solutions.
After reviewing all Intel Atom variants supplied to the RF, the following motherboard was chosen: INTEL D2700MUD (RTL) Atom D2700 NM10 SVGA DVI + GbLAN SATA Mini-ITX 2DDR-III SO-DIMM . To ensure the resiliency of the entire system, it was decided to install 4 boards.
With the case it was all the more difficult. Server chassis involve the installation of only one motherboard and one power supply. Based on the requirements described above, it is necessary to find a case that meets the following conditions:
1. Possibility of placing 4 Mini-ITX boards.
2. Can accommodate 8 HDD 3.5
3. The ability to accommodate 4 power supplies.
4. Installation in a 19 "rack.
The cost of a 1U case in the Russian Federation starts from 2700 rubles, without a power supply (I have not found it cheaper).
The option of using 4U chassis, with a universal platform for mounting motherboards was chosen. Server Case 4U Procase EB410L-B-0 Black without power supply, with door and GAF250 power supplies
Stage number 0. Hard disks are installed in standard boxes. SATA and power cables are connected.
Stage number 1. Placement of motherboards.
For mounting boards need 8 sets.
The substrate for the motherboard is removed and new holes are drilled.
Make fitting boards
Stage number 2. Installation of power supplies.
First you need to dismantle the standard box for the power supply. To simplify the connections of boards and power supplies, decisions were made on the placement of units on different sides of the case.
Blocks regular means attached to the body. You must manually make the holes on the case and the front block retainer.
It took a lot of time to collect the power buttons and POWER_LED and HDD_LED indicators. No where I could not find such blocks for the standard form factor (3.5 inches or 5 inches).
Stage 3. Installation and connection of all systems.
Stage 4. Replacing Chinese fans with Chinese Zalman.
Total. It was possible to assemble 4 independent computers with 2 HDDs in each, in one server package.
PS Open questions remain on the removal of USB on the front panel, as well as the removal of the POWER and RESET buttons with display units. We need standard solutions.
An example of such a system is GFS (Google File System), where cheap computers with 1 or 2 hard drives act as chunks. Reliability of information storage is just provided by reserving not the hard drives, but the entire server chunk.
When building such a system, the main parameter is - the cheapness of the composite components and the convenience of the location of the devices.
')
This article will describe the practical experience of optimizing the placement of 4 computers within one 19 "server chassis. Many pictures
So, the task was defined as follows: It is necessary to organize 3 independent servers working with each other, having data backup and allowing to quickly replace the failed components. It is also necessary to ensure the placement of servers in the 19 '' rack.
To solve the problem, information on this topic was searched for: Mini ITX as the basis for the home server part 2 and Intel Atom colocation . Google gave a couple of interesting solutions that have disappeared due to the timing and the lack of a company ready to deliver such solutions.
After reviewing all Intel Atom variants supplied to the RF, the following motherboard was chosen: INTEL D2700MUD (RTL) Atom D2700 NM10 SVGA DVI + GbLAN SATA Mini-ITX 2DDR-III SO-DIMM . To ensure the resiliency of the entire system, it was decided to install 4 boards.
With the case it was all the more difficult. Server chassis involve the installation of only one motherboard and one power supply. Based on the requirements described above, it is necessary to find a case that meets the following conditions:
1. Possibility of placing 4 Mini-ITX boards.
2. Can accommodate 8 HDD 3.5
3. The ability to accommodate 4 power supplies.
4. Installation in a 19 "rack.
The cost of a 1U case in the Russian Federation starts from 2700 rubles, without a power supply (I have not found it cheaper).
The option of using 4U chassis, with a universal platform for mounting motherboards was chosen. Server Case 4U Procase EB410L-B-0 Black without power supply, with door and GAF250 power supplies
Stage number 0. Hard disks are installed in standard boxes. SATA and power cables are connected.
Stage number 1. Placement of motherboards.
For mounting boards need 8 sets.
The substrate for the motherboard is removed and new holes are drilled.
Make fitting boards
Stage number 2. Installation of power supplies.
First you need to dismantle the standard box for the power supply. To simplify the connections of boards and power supplies, decisions were made on the placement of units on different sides of the case.
Blocks regular means attached to the body. You must manually make the holes on the case and the front block retainer.
It took a lot of time to collect the power buttons and POWER_LED and HDD_LED indicators. No where I could not find such blocks for the standard form factor (3.5 inches or 5 inches).
Stage 3. Installation and connection of all systems.
Stage 4. Replacing Chinese fans with Chinese Zalman.
Total. It was possible to assemble 4 independent computers with 2 HDDs in each, in one server package.
PS Open questions remain on the removal of USB on the front panel, as well as the removal of the POWER and RESET buttons with display units. We need standard solutions.
Source: https://habr.com/ru/post/168409/
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