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SFF machines for simple server

Hi there,

What SFF machines do you recommend for a server to basically run opnsense (with a 4 port expansion NIC) and a bunch of extra disks to serve as a NAS? I was looking through Thinkcentre m720, m800 et al. I believe these allow for up to 3 disks

I know usually you’d run opnsense on a dedicated machine, but I’m a bit constrained on space so am trying to fit all in one. I don’t want to stream Linux ISOs on this NAS just to store my own files.

just_another_person ,

SFF, and “a buncha disks” don’t really go together. It really depends on how much space yodu need, and whether the space saving or more important, or the disk redundancy.

That being said, have a look at some of the Fractal Design cases (they make beautiful stuff), or Lian Li.

witx OP ,

I don’t need much redundancy, as I have off-site backups and in case something goes wrong I don’t need to restore the files quickly

just_another_person ,

The Node 304 has 6 3.5" mounts in it: www.fractal-design.com/products/cases/…/black/

BearOfaTime ,

Yea, 3 discs isn’t much, especially since the space is cramped you’ll likely have to use 2.5" drives. I know - I’ve stuffed 3 drives in my SFF, no way to mount them so one is glued to the underside of the plastic rack. (Dell)

Then there’s power to consider - an SFF doesn’t have much of a power supply (mine maxes out at 120 watts, not sure how much of that is available on the 12v wires for sata, as it’s routed through the motherboard!). I had to buy a sata power splitter to have 3 drives.

But… My idle power is trivial (12 watts), and when it’s converting videos it peaks at 80 watts. Fan only runs when converting.

witx OP ,

That’s the info I’m looking for. I wasn’t considering I would need 2.5’’ instead of 3’', besides glueing is not great That idle power is awesome though and why I was looking into SFF

just_another_person ,

Have you considered just getting a NAS instead?

witx OP ,

I don’t know enough about them but how much vendor lock-in is there usually? Could I use a distribution of my choosing, or even add an extra NIC?

acockworkorange ,

Best I can do is an old school horizontal desktop with two 3.5 and one 2.5 plus a boot NVMe.

Kidplayer_666 ,

Im supposing you want some prebuilt, right?

witx OP ,

I mean I could go the DIY route but I’m guessing it’s going to be more expensive?

ad_on_is ,

I’d recommend the following, which is what I fid

  • Get one of these N100 or N305 firewall mini PCs with two NICs for your opnsense box. they’re like 15x15 cm in size
  • A managed switch (at least 8-port)
  • A cheapo small PC case, that can house enough drives, or can add some 3dprinted drive tray or whatever for your NAS.

I’d highly suggest, not to put everything in one box. Been there, nothing but struggles.

poVoq ,
@poVoq@slrpnk.net avatar

There are some nice mini-itx nas cases that would do it.

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