DIY iSCSI

RobertKaucher

I work for a smallish manufacturing firm and saving money is a top priority. I was wondering if any of you guys have ever built an iSCSI SAN from scratch for production.

Our file server is running low on storage capacity and the XP based security camera systems need some additional capacity after they increased the number of cameras without letting me know....

This is what I am looking at for my base with OpenFiler as the OS.

iStarUSA D-410-TLB15SS 4U Trayless Storage Server Rackmount - 15-Bay D410TLB15SS at TigerDirect

I figure with that a decent mobo, RAID card, and some disks I can come up with a decent starter system for around $2000.

Any suggestions or advice?

Claymoore

StarWinds iSCSI Target software would be another option. It's Windows-based, licensed software with support in case open source solutions make folks at your company nervous. The licenses alone would probably run you over $2k though.

StarWind iSCSI Storage Server Features | iSCSI Target Software to create fail-safe iSCSI SAN

NightShade03

You may want to look at Openfiler — Openfiler - Open Source Storage Management Appliance

It's free and you can get support if you need it. My only caution would be to make sure that the hardware you use is supported or you may run into trouble.

forkvoid

If you're looking at the $2k range, check out the Drobo Pro. We use them at most of our clients and they work wonderfully.

RobertKaucher

forkvoid wrote: »

If you're looking at the $2k range, check out the Drobo Pro. We use them at most of our clients and they work wonderfully.

What would you consider the advantages of using this as apposed to a system I would build? Other than the obvious one of me not having to build it!

This:
Amazon.com: 16.0TB DroboPro Bundle - 8 x Drobo Certified 2TB + 8…

for example is about $500 more than I would like to spend and offers less than 1/2 the spindles...