Mini File Server

Introducing the Mini File Server! Of course, what you decide to use it for is up to you, but since it offers 5 x 3.5″ harddrives, a fileserver is a pretty good choice!

Our thoughts behind the Mini File Server

It’s very common that you have different harddrives that you have acquired during the last couple of years. Then you’re probably pretty tired of the huge case to fit them since all you probably need is a simple file server. It’s very uncommon that you need the power nor the space in a midi/fulltower. With the Mini File Server it’s possible to fit a small motherboard (Mini-ITX form factor) and fit 5 harddrives. The three thoughts behind the Mini File Server:

It should be small so you don’t have to put it under your desk on the floor
It should be nicelookin’ so it could look good on your bookshelf in your livingroom so you don’t have to hide it away on the closet
It should be fitted with standard components so you can buy off-the-shelves products and run whatever OS you want

Since it’s fitted with standard components, you can use if for whatever you want, a webserver, a server running virtual servers, firewall or even as a workstation if you fit it with enough powerful components.

Specifications

Available colors: Black and White (depending on demand we might offer blue and other colors in the future)

Physical dimensions:

Width: 200mm
Height: 181mm
Depth: 251mm

Included in kit:

Mini File Server case
120mm Nexus Real Silent fan
4 x Silicone Fan Mounts to mount fan
Fan Wire Grill to make sure no cables stop the fan
PCI-slot ventilation bracket
2 x thumbscrews to fasten the cover at the back

Hardware tested and supported:

The case is extremely small and you might run into problems fitting all the components that you want. We suggest that you always pick componentes that we have verified and tested. If you are uncertain, please contact us.

Motherboard: Should fit any standard Mini ITX motherboard (17×17 cm). Maximum height: (to be decided).
Power Supply: There is no standard size on power supplies for the Mini ITX so we suggest the picoPSU-120 or the Morex PDB080R since they have been fully tested.
Harddrives: Fits any standard 3.5″ PATA/SATA harddrives
PCI-card: Since there’s a huge variety of PCI-cards available, we suggest that you keep the size below: Height: x mm, Width: x mm, Thick: x mm. Example of tested cards:
- 3Ware 9650SE-4LPML SATA PCI-E
- Promise SATA 300 TX4
- SiL3114 4+2port PCI (STLabs/SYBA)

The hardware needed

The following components are needed to get a complete system up and running (see this HOWTO for more details):

Motherboard of your choice using in the Mini ITX formfactor together with memory and CPU if it’s not already fitted on the motherboard.
A powersupply kit ranging from 65W to 220W depending on what hardware you’re runnning.
Up to 5 x 3.5″ harddrives and possibly a PCI-card to enable connecting more HDs than the motherboard has to offer.
Power cables to supply power to the harddrives if the power supply kit don’t offer enough connections
SATA/PATA cables, screws to fasten harddrives