PowerEdge SC430 and more than two hard discs?

Hi,

Has anybody had more than two SATA hard drives running in an SC430. I see it
has 4 SATA connectors, but the Dell blurb says only two can be used for
discs? Any idea why that is, I've never used SATA before? Inside the case
there is room for a couple more drives in the 5.25 or 3.5 bays and power can
me taken with a Molex splitter and adapter. I'm looking for another disc
for writing backups sets to before I copy them off-line. I guess I could go
USB but would prefer internal.

Any thoughts?

Chris

 

I don't see any reason why you couldn't use either of the 2 DVD slots and/or
the
floppy slot for more SATA drives. The BIOS supports 4 SATA drives.

 

I don't see any reason why you couldn't use either of the 2 DVD slots

Yes, that's what I was thinking. But as it isn't my own server I wanted to
find out if anybody had done it already before I order up another SATA drive


Chris

 

Hi Chris

Yes - I've got 4x 250GB in mine running Ubuntu and software RAID. All good.

I even managed to squeeze a DVD-RW in too

The case only has 2 bays. I fitted the third drive in the "floppy" bay
and the fourth in a bay adapter. The DVD clearly goes in the final 5 1/2
bay.

No problems with cooling (yet)...

You get 1 spare SATA power connector up near the 5 1/2 bays and one in
the base for the factory fit drive, so you'll need a molex splitter and
SATA adapter for the fourth drive.

Oh, one thing. If you add the second drive in the bay at the bottom, you
need a "Dell" or similar SATA cable as the end of the drive butts hard
against the side of the cable. Dell charge £20 UKP for said cable. I
found one on Ebay for £0.99 The only rightangle cable I had here had
the bend the wrong way (hence the possible need for a "Foxconn" aka
"Dell" genuine part or something the same)...

Alex

 

Yes - I've got 4x 250GB in mine running Ubuntu and software RAID. All

Thanks for that Alex, good news.

That's they way I'll go then.

I'll have a hunt for it. I couldn't see one when I had a quick look.

Luckily the system already has two drives mounted on the floor of the case.
Weird isn't it, but I guess very sensible use of space.

Thanks for the "Foxconn" info, I didn't know that.

Anyway thanks for taking the time to reply Alex, I'm off to order the bits
right now.

Chris

 

Anyway thanks for taking the time to reply Alex, I'm off to order the bits

Chris

Glad it was useful..

Cheers

Alex

 

against the side of the cable. Dell charge £20 UKP for said cable. I found

For the record:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/DELL-Blue-SAT...7QQihZ005QQcategoryZ74941QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

No connection - just a satisfied customer.

Regards

Alex

 

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/DELL-Blue-SAT...7QQihZ005QQcategoryZ74941QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Thanks again Alex, I'll add it to my list.

Chris

 

third sata on poweredge sc430 with windows sbs

i'm trying to add a third sata drive to a dell poweredge sc430. i mounted it in the upper 5/12 slots and used power from there and put a sata connector into the sata1 port on the board but the windows sbs system doesn't see the drive. any advice? thanks, ron