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Re: Mac Mini Server

Philip J Robar wrote: 

Sam wrote:

The info of NVidia MCP79 AHCI chipset does support PMware, but Apple does not implement it.
In particular, AHCI is an open design, hope some one can come up with a driver to support Port Multiplier feature.

Raoul Callaghan, of the Australian Mathematical Sciences Institute, has opened up a Mini and hooked up a port multiplier by installing a SATA card:

I'm talking about the existing SATA ports, not adding a Port Multiplier controller card via PCI express 1x.
Adding eSATA_PCIe21 is easy and messy, of course form-factor is out of whack

About a month ago, I was wondering if I could get a Mac Mini to address 8 or more drives without using FW or USB. Wanting to stick with the idea of using USB or FW buses for ZFS, I did some homework, spent some money on the Mac Mini, and now can connect 10 SATA drives to a Mac mini. I don't know of anyone else in the world who's done this, (or are stupid enough to) or have posted it anyway.

It's a bit, ah... ahem... weird at present, but it is only a proof-of-concept to see if it would actually work.
http://homepage.mac.com/tangles/embarrasing-but-works.png

It works, and works rather well. I striped the two 1TB drives within OS X at present, just to gauge a speed. (99MB/sec sustained) Because the Mac Mini is to be installed inside the ANS500 case, (Apple Network Server 500), aesthetics have no relevance here. 8))

He promised a follow up with more details, but I don't think that ever happened. I've pinged him about it. 
What do you need to know about the about project? It's easy here is the BOM:
1x eSATA_PCIe21
1x mimi Express to PCI Expess adapter with flexible circuit
But you may have to give up the Wifi



A search on "mini esata" found several projects which add external SATA disks to Mini's without damaging the case. They either route the cabe through the cable lock hole or through one of the air vents.

Also, if you're really desperate Addonics has a USB to eSATA adaptor that supports port multipliers: http://www.addonics.com/products/io/aau2esa.asp

You would use USB for server's data? I don't...
FYI USB to eSATA adapter you can get it under $20.00 here:
http://www.datoptic.com/cgi-bin/web.cgi?product=U2eSATA&detail=yes <http://www.datoptic.com/cgi-bin/web.cgi?product=U2eSATA&detail=yes>
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References: 
 >Re: Mac Mini Server (From: Leon Roy <email@hidden>)
 >Re: Mac Mini Server (From: DATOptic - Sam <email@hidden>)
 >Re: Mac Mini Server (From: Philip J Robar <email@hidden>)



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