Need advice for a silent OMV Nas with 8 x 12TB drives and Nvme to opt-out Synology

1st Official Post

    Dear friends,


    As displayed in my signature, I am running OMV on Dell R720XD, which is a backup system.

    If you are interested, I wrote a small article about the Dell R720XD in "My NAS build".


    Debian and OMV rock, now I want to opt-out Synology because I lost confidence in them:

    • no ZFS support, data parity is not enough,
    • poor kernel upgrades,
    • poor system upgrades (may not be able to upgrade after DSM 7.3),
    • poor software diversity.


    Now, I would like to sell my Synology NASEs (DS1817+, ds1821+ and DS3617xs) and migrate to Debian/OMV, witch the following specs:


    Motherboard:

    • ARM64 or Intel/AMD processor. ARM64 preferred. Better fanless. Better low-power.
    • At least 64GB RAM (need ZFS).
    • 1 or 2 x NVMe for system.
    • At least on PCI slot for a 10Gbit SFP+ network card.

    Casing and disc array:

    • Compact casing with 8 to 12 bay, hot-swap disc array for my 8 x SATA 12TB drives, in RAIDZ3.
    • Small form factor comparable to Synology (example: DS3617xs has 12 drives, DS1821+ has 8 drives).
    • Very low noise comparable to Synology (needs to be installed in my living room).

    Any help and advice welcome. I don't want to invest in expensive hardware, can buy used hardware and change FANs. Can also build a new system from scratch. Can run embedded hardware. Can print 3D if needed.


    I am posting here because I did not find anything relevant myself, so I need the help of the community.

    My total budget is around 1000-2000 EUR (I plan to resell my Synology NASes), of course can be cheaper.


    Kind regards

    1 x Dell R720XD PowerEdge, with Debian 13+OpenMediaVault

    2 x 1TB nvme for raid1+btrfs system

    10Gbit network (SFP+)

    11 x 10Tb SAS drives + 1 spare drive (running) in zraid3 + 3 additional spares (not running)

    2 x 800GB SSD drives (unused)

    1 x LSI SAS2308 PCI-Express Fusion-MPT SAS-2 controller card in mini-mono format

    256Go RAM

    1 x APC RT2000XL UPS with 1 x SNMP APC 9631 card
    3 x Rpi 5-CM with nvme systems

    Edited 24 times, last by C-3PO ().

  • C-3PO

    Changed the title of the thread from “Need advice for a silent OMV Nas with 8 x 12TB discs and Nvme for system” to “Need advice for a silent OMV Nas with 8 x 12TB drives and Nvme to opt-out Synology”.

    I am still looking for something similar to DS3617xs (12 drivers) or DS1821+ (8 drives) to run OMV, but nothing yet. I even looked at Chinese components, but I am not convinced. It seems that there is simply no commercial offer for such hardware other than traditional servers (i.e. The Dell PowerEdge range).

    1 x Dell R720XD PowerEdge, with Debian 13+OpenMediaVault

    2 x 1TB nvme for raid1+btrfs system

    10Gbit network (SFP+)

    11 x 10Tb SAS drives + 1 spare drive (running) in zraid3 + 3 additional spares (not running)

    2 x 800GB SSD drives (unused)

    1 x LSI SAS2308 PCI-Express Fusion-MPT SAS-2 controller card in mini-mono format

    256Go RAM

    1 x APC RT2000XL UPS with 1 x SNMP APC 9631 card
    3 x Rpi 5-CM with nvme systems

    After some research I found that Terramaster was the only company offering NASes with a real BIOS and the ability to boot any OS, including Debian with OMV. A good candidate could be the f6-424-max, but it is sold-out:


    Terramaster F6-424 Max 6Bay Dual 10GbE Ports NAS Storage
    The F6-424 Max NAS enclosure is equipped with dual 10GbE Ethernet ports, providing up to 20Gbps bandwidth for fast data transfer.
    www.terra-master.com


    I have to check again, because apparently some Terramaster NASes have an HDMI output and an internal USB key used during installation. Otherwise we probably need to install Debian on the USB key itself. I will register on Terramaster forum today and ask.


    If you are aware of other companies offering a NAS with an open BIOS, please post here.

    1 x Dell R720XD PowerEdge, with Debian 13+OpenMediaVault

    2 x 1TB nvme for raid1+btrfs system

    10Gbit network (SFP+)

    11 x 10Tb SAS drives + 1 spare drive (running) in zraid3 + 3 additional spares (not running)

    2 x 800GB SSD drives (unused)

    1 x LSI SAS2308 PCI-Express Fusion-MPT SAS-2 controller card in mini-mono format

    256Go RAM

    1 x APC RT2000XL UPS with 1 x SNMP APC 9631 card
    3 x Rpi 5-CM with nvme systems

    Edited 3 times, last by C-3PO ().

    I have OMV on a terramaster NAS.

    Mine is a F4 421.


    I attempted to boot OMV on it directly to install, but it kept booting to their os installer from the tiny USB stick inside it. The BIOS is almost a regular one, except that it doesn't allow to bot from other USB drives except the tiny one inside it.


    Since it was under warranty, I wanted to avoid dismantling it (I was not sure if I would keep or return it).

    So I moved the SSD (that I wanted to use for OS) to an older laptop (a core 2 duo), I installed OMV on it and performed some initial setup.


    Then moved the SSD to the NAS

    It booted without problems directly to OMV (somehow the internal drives have higher boot priority than the tiny USB drive).


    After some time, I dismantled the NAS for dust cleaning and I also removed the tiny USB stick from the internal port (I think it was less than 1 gb in size, so you probably can't install OMV on it).

    Thank you for your feedback. Terramaster does not seem to be a good candidate.

    1 x Dell R720XD PowerEdge, with Debian 13+OpenMediaVault

    2 x 1TB nvme for raid1+btrfs system

    10Gbit network (SFP+)

    11 x 10Tb SAS drives + 1 spare drive (running) in zraid3 + 3 additional spares (not running)

    2 x 800GB SSD drives (unused)

    1 x LSI SAS2308 PCI-Express Fusion-MPT SAS-2 controller card in mini-mono format

    256Go RAM

    1 x APC RT2000XL UPS with 1 x SNMP APC 9631 card
    3 x Rpi 5-CM with nvme systems

    Ugreen launched some hardware that looks good (although, expensive)


    Some threads already on the forum, regarding running omv on it

    • Official Post

    Are you willing to look at the used server market?

    The Chenbro NR12000 1U is a good example. This model is an older 1U server but it holds 12 drives. Since it's thin, wide and deep, I put it on a closet wall.

    The following is the Chenbro's successor. It's newer with drive mounting that's much easier. (The Chenbro requires drive screws and grommets to mount drives. The Tyan comes with clip in drive trays.)

    -> Tyan Thunder SX GT86C-B5630 1U Server

    I can say with certainty, these servers are not "silent". (Their fans sing when they're booting up, but they do quiet down afterward.) In any case they're "server grade" hardware, very capable and 12 drives is a lot of capacity.

    Again, since I'm running it headless and I have networking in one of my closets, I mounted it on the closet wall. It worked out nicely.

    I bought Fractal Design Define 5 that can hold 8+ 3.5in HDD`s and, at least, 2 SSD`s. Mid sise Case, very quiet. I would also recommend LSI 9207-8i HBA FW:P20 IT mode disk controller card.

    Debian/KDE DE, FreeBSD, Debian 13 Server

    OMV8 NAS 2-10GB LACP bond0 Fiber, pfSense+ firewall/router

    Edited once, last by andrzejls: Added info ().

    Quote from andrzejls

    I bought Fractal Design Define 5 that can hold 8+ 3.5in HDD`s and, at least, 2 SSD`s. Mid sise Case, very quiet. I would also recommend LSI 9207-8i HBA FW:P20 IT mode disk controller card.

    Thanks, very interesting. Has dust filters and is designed for low noise. But there is no backpane. Anyhow I don't really need a backpane.


    I also found this NAS casing: JONSBO N3
    https://www.jonsbo.com/en/products/N3.html

    Still no backpane.


    202371120063.webp

    1 x Dell R720XD PowerEdge, with Debian 13+OpenMediaVault

    2 x 1TB nvme for raid1+btrfs system

    10Gbit network (SFP+)

    11 x 10Tb SAS drives + 1 spare drive (running) in zraid3 + 3 additional spares (not running)

    2 x 800GB SSD drives (unused)

    1 x LSI SAS2308 PCI-Express Fusion-MPT SAS-2 controller card in mini-mono format

    256Go RAM

    1 x APC RT2000XL UPS with 1 x SNMP APC 9631 card
    3 x Rpi 5-CM with nvme systems

    Edited 4 times, last by C-3PO ().

    Hi, I'm just setting up my NAs using this case (Jonsbo N3) it does have a back pane that the up to 8 drives connect directly to. The only mod I've done is to install 2 x Noctua 80mm silent fans in the top rear for cooling the motherboard etc and then i've just installed 2 x 92mm Noctua silent fans in the rear of the hard drive enclosure lower part of the case as the supplied 100mm fans are bloody noisy and as they where only a 3pin connection not able to be controlled by the motherboard smart fan. Don't connect fans to the 2 fan connections on the back pane as any connected fan will constantly run at 100%. with my 4 Noctura fans installed the N3 is virtually silent.

    The 92mm Noctua fans are the NF A9x 14

    The 80mm Noctua fans are the NF A9 x 25 bit more expansive than other fans but well worth it.

    Hope this info helps.

    Regards

    Keith W

    Thanks a lot, too bad this casing does not have a backpane.

    Which motherboard are you using?

    1 x Dell R720XD PowerEdge, with Debian 13+OpenMediaVault

    2 x 1TB nvme for raid1+btrfs system

    10Gbit network (SFP+)

    11 x 10Tb SAS drives + 1 spare drive (running) in zraid3 + 3 additional spares (not running)

    2 x 800GB SSD drives (unused)

    1 x LSI SAS2308 PCI-Express Fusion-MPT SAS-2 controller card in mini-mono format

    256Go RAM

    1 x APC RT2000XL UPS with 1 x SNMP APC 9631 card
    3 x Rpi 5-CM with nvme systems

    Hi I'm using a Gigabyte A520i Mini ITX mb, with a AMD Ryzen 5 8500G (integrated graphics) 32gig ram. 4x 20tb NAS drives 1 x 16tb, 1 x 12TB, 2x 7TB drives in the Jonsbo N3 case these are connected to the backpane (i'll call it that) using a SAS HBA PCI-e card running in IT Mode).

    My OMV drive is a 1TB Predator NVME. Docker etc is installed on a 500gig SSD.

    Hi C-3PO !


    Another Jonsbo N3 user here (and an opt-out Synology user) :
    NAS Build (J6413 + Jonsbo N3)


    This case have a backpane :

    https://www.jonsbo.com/UploadFiles/202371139608.webp


    Quote from C-3PO

    Very low noise comparable to Synology (needs to be installed in my living room).

    Are you going with full SDD ? Otherwise I think that almost HDD will do very very noise for a living room...
    Impossible to put into a closet, it will get very hot...


    I have 4 HDD WD Red Plus 12Tb, they do a lot of noise !!!

    I went with a Jonsbo N4, but it really benefits from the unofficial (3D-printed) fan mod for vastly better cooling, so I added it.

    That said, the N6 may be what you're looking for - spacey and has room for 9 drives, with a backplane for all of them.

    I do not use hot swapping (this is NAS not Server) so backpane does not do anything for me. I use LSI 9207-8i HBA FW:P20 IT mode disk controller card that provide 6GB/sec independently for each of 8 drives. My Seagate Barracuda 4TB 3.5 8 spinners deliver ~180MB/sec transfer rate which is pretty much standard for mechanical drives. That JONSBo N3 looks good but I do not see anything in it that would mute HD`s noise nor proper space between them for efficient cooling. It would not be my first choice, but you might have diferrent than me considerations.

    Debian/KDE DE, FreeBSD, Debian 13 Server

    OMV8 NAS 2-10GB LACP bond0 Fiber, pfSense+ firewall/router

    Like 1

    To get 3.5 inch HDDs silent you need some "very special" case because I have seen several NAS enabled cases over the last years but non of those have had (good) acoustic measures. You may have an option with some (outdated) big tower and DIY task, e.g. I used in the past the Sharkoon Hdd-Vibe-Fixer 5.25 HDD cage but if I got you right you are looking for an (semi-)professional case. If you have found something which is also in view of acoustic fine, then please write it here.

    Quote from _Michael_

    To get 3.5 inch HDDs silent you need some "very special" case because I have seen several NAS enabled cases over the last years but non of those have had (good) acoustic measures. You may have an option with some (outdated) big tower and DIY task, e.g. I used in the past the Sharkoon Hdd-Vibe-Fixer 5.25 HDD cage but if I got you right you are looking for an (semi-)professional case. If you have found something which is also in view of acoustic fine, then please write it here.

    Read post #8. Fractal Design Define 5. Super quiet.

    Debian/KDE DE, FreeBSD, Debian 13 Server

    OMV8 NAS 2-10GB LACP bond0 Fiber, pfSense+ firewall/router

    Like 1

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