[WIP] backup server (4 sata HDDs + ZFS)

[rolando]

Hey everyone! I'm in the process of building a replacement (home) backup server for an old rpi3 I had around: it was running arch + (native) encrypted ZFS. Disks were connected through a USB hard-drive bay. It worked, but it was clumsy and slow.

When I learned about the rockpro64, I figured that would work great for a replacement of that server.

Here are the specs:

- RockPro64 4GB
- 2x1Tb HDD WD Blue (will upgrade to 4x2Tb if this works well)
- Qnine 4 port SATA PCIe card
- Norco ITX-S4 Black mini-ITX case
- Solid Gear FLEX 320W power supply
- Debian stretch (last version available on ayufan's github)

I first installed debian + the (testing) dkms modules for ZFS: this was a super pain-free process.

After I got all the parts (case, power supply, some extra cables) I test-mounted it:



This is still all super messy as I'm waiting for some extra connectors to properly get power from the power supply (I want to avoid soldering as much as possible).

After rebooting with the SATA card, it was immediately recognized, as well as the zpool that I had in those drives. A full scrub took less than 20 min as opposed to the 9 hours in the rpi!



Next steps for this:

- Add some extra holes/mounting points that will fit the rockpro64
- Make wiring better

Some further steps

- Figure out how to fwd the USB ports to make the ports at front useful
- Figure out how to control some of the LED lights at the front of the case, as well as the power/reset button

I'll update this thread as I make progress

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oh, if anyone's interested, the sata card has a Marvell 9215 chipset. It was recognized out of the box on debian stretch (latest ayufan)

[Thra11]

Are you just powering all the SATA drives directly from the power supply (btw, I can't see the images in your post.)?

Nice to see third party PCIe cards playing nicely with the RockPro64.

[rolando]

Are you just powering all the SATA drives directly from the power supply (btw, I can't see the images in your post.)?

Nice to see third party PCIe cards playing nicely with the RockPro64.

thanks!

Yes, the SATA drives are being powered directly from the power supply.

I (think) I fixed the image links. I also added a couple more with a close-up on the sata board and power. I should get all the parts tomorrow, so I'll try to update the post when it's fully assembled.

[hmuller]

Great job, love the work! Lets see the finished product when you are done. Great write up.

[rolando]

More pics: zpool scrub when this pool was running on the rpi3 vs now:






Close up on the sata card:

[rolando]

Just created a post on imgur with more pics: https://imgur.com/gallery/si2m81n

[dml-pc]

Hey everyone! I'm in the process of building a replacement (home) backup server for an old rpi3 I had around: it was running arch + (native) encrypted ZFS. Disks were connected through a USB hard-drive bay. It worked, but it was clumsy and slow.

When I learned about the rockpro64, I figured that would work great for a replacement of that server.

Here are the specs:

- RockPro64 4GB
- 2x1Tb HDD WD Blue (will upgrade to 4x2Tb if this works well)
- Qnine 4 port SATA PCIe card
- Norco ITX-S4 Black mini-ITX case
- Solid Gear FLEX 320W power supply
- Debian stretch (last version available on ayufan's github)
...

Bonjour ...
Vous avez de la chance car ma carte PCIe SATA 4 Ports fait planter le système Debian Buster avec des « timeout » et finir avec un « kernel panic » 

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Hello ...
You are lucky because my 4 Ports SATA PCIe Card crashes the Debian Buster system with « timeouts » and ends with a « kernel panic » 

[lmo]

Hi, t have the same project.
you using atx to power the rockpro?

how you doing to on/off you system? 2 different buttons?

[dml-pc]

Bonjour ...

J'alimente mon RockPro64 (et les disques durs) avec une alimentation ATX.

J'ai commencé avec cette carte SATA 4 ports, qui fonctionne correctement :

• https://fr.aliexpress.com/item/33013899620.html
  

... puis avec une carte SATA 6 ports que j'utilise actuellement (voir la capture d'écran) :

• https://fr.aliexpress.com/item/33033931554.html
  

J'ai même testé ceci sur la carte 6 ports :

• https://fr.aliexpress.com/item/32962760061.html
  

... ce qui permet d'étendre le nombre de disque (mais pas les performances, malheureusement).

Cordialement, David.

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Hello ...

I power my Rockpro64 (and hard drives) with an ATX power supply.
I started with this 4-port SATA card, which works correctly :

• https://fr.aliexpress.com/item/33013899620.html
  

... then with a 6-port SATA card that I currently use (see screenshot) :

• https://fr.aliexpress.com/item/33033931554.html
  

I even tested this on the 6-port board :

• https://fr.aliexpress.com/item/32962760061.html
  

... which makes it possible to extend the number of discs (but not the performances, unfortunately).

Best Regards, David.

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