Backup Backup server - Part 1

 So I have decided, that just having all my data stored on my server isnt enough anymore.

We are setup as follows.

We have a Hp n54l microserver, 2x ssd in raid mirror and 2x spinning rust disks that also in raid. Upgraded to 16 GB ram, Bios upgraded to newest modded version

Thats all nice and good, but im missing a fallback solution. a fire could destroy it, and with it 35 years of digital content, pictures and the like. Im also digitizing my dvd collection, and even some old classic chuck norris vhs videos.

So time to do a backup of the backup server. I want something cheap, but reliable. something that can be expanded as needed, doesn't need much thought in everyday use.

So heres what i came up with.

1. got myself and old beaten up HP N40L Microserver. (same as my primary, just a slower cpu)

2. Add a pcie sata controller so more disks can be installed

3. Add a pcie usb3 controller so more disks can be installed using usb3

4. Add more disks, using a 5,25 to 2,5 drive adapter.

5. Add More disks using the eSata port in the Microserver

6. Update or supplement the psu as/if needed.

7. The software will be based on Debian, Btrfs, Smb and SnapRaid, More about that in a later chapter

The old Microserver: As far as i can see, the guy i got it from beat it up a bit, and seems to have upgraded the bios to a modded version ( makes it possible to use a hdd/sdd in the cdrom slot, without being handicapped by being locked to cdrom speeds)

Mods before installing software.

I used the pc3-10600 4 gb of ram left over from upgrading my old N54L, and found another pc3-12800 4 gb stick in my "ram for printerupgrades" bin. Chucked them in, and hoped they would work, mismatched as they are.

Then i chucked in a usb 3 card. Specifically a StarTech 7-Port PCI Express USB 3.0 card that i purchased used on Dba.dk. Specifically chosen for being a low profile card.

Linux sees it as: USB controller: Renesas Technology Corp. uPD720201 USB 3.0 Host Controller (rev 03)

i also added a PCI-E To SATA3.0 Expansion Card 4-port from Temu. (no link as its sold out)

 

Again chosen for being a low profile card. The low profile bracket wasn't included though, so out with the metal cutters. And the result is not pretty, but it works.

Linux sees this as: SATA controller: Marvell Technology Group Ltd. 88SE9215 PCIe 2.0 x1 4-port SATA 6 Gb/s Controller (rev 11)

Then to contain the disks i added this adapter. (again Temu, sold out) I wanted the one for 1x 3.5 and 2x 3.5, but i got the one for 4x2.5. i Think i messed up the order, but i have enough 2.5 disks to fill it, so i don't care.

 

So here's the disk configuration i ended up with.

Original raid cage 4x 1tb 3,5 disks. New controller 3x 320gb + 1x 750gb. Motherboard sata number 5, 180gb Intel ssd (boot/swap/data input drive). This last drive is mounted using double sided tape, as i just wanted to be done with it by now.

The power cabling was mostly put into the bay between the rom slot and the raid cage. This is the one place where this little gem of a server is usually messy.

Off to the shed i went, to solder together a power adapter from the original 4 pin molex, to 4xSata power.. Then when i realized i also wanted the ssd, i add a sata->Molex & Molex->2x sata power.. To be replaced by something more slick, if i ever get to it.

The end result, has 6x usb3 port and an Esata free on the back side. An usb 2.0 and a Usb3.0 on the inside, and 4x usb3 on the front. I'm getting stuff to build my own esata case, but that's for another day.

 

 

Vga screen, keyboard, mouse, and usb wifi card. Power on, press start and....Nothing. Set the screen to Vga. Life!! Messing with bios settings and presto booting from stick.

I used ventoy to try and boot, but my ventoy usb stick keeps corrupting the filesystem. So i reformated the first partition of the ventoy to Ntfs, and started putting back all my install isos. I was wanting to put freedos on it,to have a system to update bios from. since i dont think i need it, disks and ram being recognized i wont for now.   

Boot from debian live/Xfce. Couldn't get wifi to work with my brand shiny new usb Wifi adapter(ID 0bda:c811 Realtek Semiconductor Corp. 802.11ac NIC), so into the bin to get an old one (ID 0586:341f ZyXEL Communications Corp. NWD2205 802.11n Wireless N Adapter [Realtek RTL8192CU]). The end server will be connected to wired ethernet, but i want all my wifi cards to work, so that i may pop one in, if i need it. This will be ok for the install fase though.

 

Delete ALL disk partitions, create a disk partition on all disks. Create system, data and a swap partition on the ssd.

Start the install. Put boot sector on Intel ssd ( i will try to add a chain load to all the other disks after this.

After finding getting access to the internet, i'm using the server to write this, as the debian installer is running. Its not a snappy desktop, but it's getting the job done.

Now its reboot time, to be continued.