Rackmount 1U - my build

[cust]

Hello all,

This forum has been usefull to me so far so i though i should take some time to share my experience building my 1U rackmount router for a small home network.

When looking for hardware, i had that in mind:

• rackmount
• good capacity (& oversized for my current use)
• not using too much energy
• space for squid cache

Here is what i used:

• Crucial 4GB (2 x 2GB) PC3 8500 Laptop Memory
• 160GB Laptop HDD
• Athena Power RM-1U122ITXH2122 Black 1.2mm Steel 1U Rackmount Server Case w/ 2-in-1 2.5" HDD Backplane Unit FlexATX 220W
  http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811192258&Tpk=n82e16811192258
• Intel D2500CCE mini-itx board/cpu
• A few beers

Here are the pics:

What i learned:

• dont expect provided mainboard back plate to fit in a 1U case
• using ~23W online
• there are still some issues with the 64 bit video driver under pfsense 2.1-DEV. Had to go 32bit until its fixed
• Front hdd backplane has proved to be usefull already for testing without having to unrack the thing.. (+ more led in the front is always fun  8) )
• There are still place for an extra pci ethernet but a flexible pci riser have to be used.
• Left a single chasis fan plugged but probably not need to use any

I didnt run any stress test but im guessing ill be fine for quite a while with this build, currently using on a single 16/1 mbps link.

Hope this will be usefull !

cust

[stephenw10]

Nice.
Hmm, Stella or Heineken which is a better beer for server assembly?  ::)

Steve

[KM]

I say split the difference. Drink them both.

Awesome build. I wish those cases would work with a socket 1155 motherboard.

[costasppc]

IMHO, I hate Heineken. Stella is better, though I prefer Weiss beers for these situations or Greek beers (Amstel or Vergina).

This is a really good looking piece of hardware.

Is ATOM enough for Squid? Are you using Snort?

Best

Kostas

[bmironb]

Nice…but how is working ? you made some tests to see how is working some days non stop...how much all costs ?

[cust]

I am currently doing a bunch of playing with 2.1-DEV & isp native ipv6 so i did not start snort, squid or any other services just yet. Will look forward to enable more stuff in a few and make sure to update this post if i notice anything special.

For now, its been running non-stop for about a week, components are at room temperature and cpu is 100% idle. The build should definitly handle snort & squid for my use.

If anyone ever get this same atom/board working on a larger net id be curious to know how it perform.

ty for your comments all!

cust

[billyprefect]

This is very much what I am planning to do. I am going with an MSI IM-945 GSE with its N270 Atom and dual intel gigabit nics, while hoping to add some sort of mini pci-e wifi atheros based card to add on an AP with some sort of external antenna array. Motherboard is in transit, and have the drive and 1gb of ram ready to go. For now I'm going with an open case - probably a chunk of plywood until I can convince my wife that $100 is acceptable for a case.
I also will go with a Molson Product for beverage.

[_Adrian_]

How deep is that case ??

[Supermule]

If you click on the link to the case and go to details…

http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811192258&Tpk=n82e16811192258

It says 9,84"................

[_Adrian_]

Sorry…
Was looking at it earlier and didn't see it.
I guess its time for bed when your starting to miss details LOL

Anyways...
Looking for a less deep case than my current setup that's 28.9" deep and wouldn't fit into my wall mount rack

[cust]

- there are still some issues with the 64 bit video driver under pfsense 2.1-DEV. Had to go 32bit until its fixed

This has been fixed as of 07-09-2012 using the latest 2.1 64bit snapshot

[tirsojrp]

This case looks identical to yours and they have i/o shield's for the 2500CC
http://www.plinkusa.net/webitx102.htm
http://www.plinkusa.net/1uplate.htm

[AudiAddict]

Looks great, I'm looking into building a atom based system as wel with the same mobo.

Personaly I need three nics, so would need to find a riser that fits in the case or go for a MITX case instead of 1u.

[tirsojrp]

Check the link in my previous post, they have everything you might need for your build.

I would choose an small itx case, is way cheaper and can use low profile cards.

[cust]

@tirsojrp:

This case looks identical to yours and they have i/o shield's for the 2500CC
http://www.plinkusa.net/webitx102.htm
http://www.plinkusa.net/1uplate.htm

Yeah i had a look at that 1U case but the i/o backplate wasnt listed at the time.. But still good to know it is now available.

On another note about plink products, item cost + shipping + customs fee were way above the one i took from neweggs (im in canada…).

Thank you for the update!

[cust]

@AudiAddict:

Looks great, I'm looking into building a atom based system as wel with the same mobo.

Personaly I need three nics, so would need to find a riser that fits in the case or go for a MITX case instead of 1u.

Im using this one and it fits perfectly:
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16816321028

Got it from ebay for about 2$, shipping included.

Good luck with your build!

[pyrodex]

How loud is the case with those 40mm fans in it?

[gderf]

I'll bet it's pretty loud if the fans are the standard type, and all three of them are running.

My GTA GB-1000 1U units roar with the two stock fans. I replaced them with low noise types and it is almost silent.

Silenx IXP1314 iXtrema Pro Fan - 40mm x 20mm, 14dBA, 6CFM, $10.00 each.

[joako]

Personally I am not a fan of the flexible risers. You should be able to find a combination of 90 degree solid riser and maybe you also need riser extension as well.

I bought some risers on eBay until I found one that worked, and then I used an extender I already had from a Tyan system.

Also, if you were to get Pico PSU I think you will find that the consumption could be about halved, also try to enable PowerD.