The Ultimate Guide to Building a High-Performance FreeNAS Storage Server with XYRATEX IBM HS-1235T

Posted on March 28th, 2023

Are you in the market for a high-performance FreeNAS storage server? Look no further than the XYRATEX IBM HS-1235T, a 2U 12 bay server that can be customized to meet your specific needs. In this guide, we'll show you how to build a powerful storage server using the XYRATEX IBM HS-1235T and other electronics and computer products, including the Casetronic C137 Mini-ITX Case Enclosure, Lot of (8) New V Seven V7 HDMI to Dual Link DVI Cable, Supermicro SNK-P0038P LGA 1366 X8 REV.B Passive CPU Heatsink, Supermicro 1U CSE-815 4 3.5" Bay FREENAS Server Xeon X3430 / 4GB / X8SIU-F MB, and Lenovo ThinkCentre M900z IQ170VS All-In-One AIO DDR4 Micro ATX Motherboard.

First, let's take a closer look at the XYRATEX IBM HS-1235T. This server is ideal for use with FreeNAS, an open-source storage operating system that allows you to easily store, manage, and access your data. The XYRATEX IBM HS-1235T features 12 hot-swappable bays, which means you can easily add or remove drives without powering down the server. It also has a 2U form factor, making it compact enough to fit in a standard server rack.

To get started, you'll need to choose a case enclosure for your server. We recommend the Casetronic C137 Mini-ITX Case Enclosure with 2x Expansion Slots in black. This case is small enough to fit in tight spaces, yet still provides enough room for all of your components. It features two expansion slots, which will come in handy when adding additional hardware to your server.

Next, you'll need to choose a motherboard for your server. We recommend the Lenovo ThinkCentre M900z IQ170VS All-In-One AIO DDR4 Micro ATX Motherboard. This motherboard features an Intel Core i7 processor, DDR4 memory support, and onboard video. It's also Micro ATX, which means it will fit nicely in the Casetronic C137 Mini-ITX Case Enclosure.

To cool your processor, we recommend the Supermicro SNK-P0038P LGA 1366 X8 REV.B Passive CPU Heatsink. This heatsink is specifically designed for the LGA 1366 socket, which is compatible with the Intel Xeon processors used in the Lenovo ThinkCentre M900z IQ170VS All-In-One AIO DDR4 Micro ATX Motherboard. It's also passive, which means it operates without a fan, making it quiet and energy-efficient.

For storage, you'll need hard drives. We recommend using Western Digital Red Pro NAS drives, which are specifically designed for use in NAS servers like the XYRATEX IBM HS-1235T. They come in a variety of capacities, so choose the size that best fits your needs. You'll also need a lot of (8) New V Seven V7 HDMI to Dual Link DVI Cable 2m 6.6ft - V7E2HDMIDVID to connect your server to your displays.

Finally, you'll need to assemble all of your components. Begin by installing the Lenovo ThinkCentre M900z IQ170VS All-In-One AIO DDR4 Micro ATX Motherboard into the Casetronic C137 Mini-ITX Case Enclosure. Next, install the Supermicro SNK-P0038P LGA 136 6 X8 REV.B Passive CPU Heatsink onto the processor, making sure it's securely fastened. Then, install your Western Digital Red Pro NAS drives into the bays of the XYRATEX IBM HS-1235T. Connect the drives to the motherboard using SATA cables, making sure to use the appropriate RAID configuration for your needs.

Once everything is connected, you're ready to power on your FreeNAS storage server. Follow the setup instructions for FreeNAS, which will include configuring the network settings, creating storage volumes, and setting up user accounts. With your storage server up and running, you can begin using it to store and manage your data.

To optimize the performance of your FreeNAS storage server, there are a few additional steps you can take. First, make sure you're using high-quality networking hardware, including network switches and cables. This will ensure that data transfer rates between your storage server and other devices on your network are as fast as possible.

You can also improve performance by configuring your RAID array properly. RAID stands for Redundant Array of Independent Disks, and it allows you to combine multiple hard drives into a single logical volume. There are several different RAID levels to choose from, each with its own trade-offs between data redundancy and performance. For most FreeNAS setups, we recommend using RAID 10, which combines the benefits of RAID 0 (speed) and RAID 1 (data redundancy).

Finally, be sure to regularly monitor the health of your storage server. FreeNAS provides built-in monitoring tools that allow you to track the performance and health of your drives, as well as receive alerts if any issues arise. By keeping an eye on your server's health, you can catch potential problems before they become serious.

In conclusion, building a high-performance FreeNAS storage server is a great way to store and manage your data. With the XYRATEX IBM HS-1235T and other electronics and computer products like the Casetronic C137 Mini-ITX Case Enclosure, Lot of (8) New V Seven V7 HDMI to Dual Link DVI Cable, Supermicro SNK-P0038P LGA 1366 X8 REV.B Passive CPU Heatsink, Supermicro 1U CSE-815 4 3.5" Bay FREENAS Server Xeon X3430 / 4GB / X8SIU-F MB, and Lenovo ThinkCentre M900z IQ170VS All-In-One AIO DDR4 Micro ATX Motherboard, you can build a powerful and reliable storage solution that meets your specific needs. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you'll be well on your way to building your own high-performance FreeNAS storage server.