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My demands for storage capacity are ever-changing and need a new level of flexibility as far as what is running, and what is optionally running. In particular for those of us with petabytes of platters in a home data center often target multiple workload profiles like high IOPS and even low utilization mini data ponds. Finding a solution that balances capacity, reliability, and affordability can be a significant challenge.
DS4246 and Associated Parts:
DS4246/DS4243 JBOD https://geni.us/NetApp_DS4246_DS4243
14TB HDD https://geni.us/14TB-HDD
10TB HDD https://geni.us/10TB-HDD
HDD Caddies https://geni.us/NetApp_HDD_Caddies
IOM6 https://geni.us/DS4246_IOM6
IOM12 https://geni.us/DS4246_IOM12
HDD Screws https://geni.us/HDD_Screws_6-32
QSFP to MiniSAS Cable https://geni.us/QSFPtoSFF-8088_Cable
LSI 9207-8e https://geni.us/LSI-9207-8e
LSI 9201-16e https://geni.us/LSI_9201_16e
IOM Blank Insert https://geni.us/ds4246_iom_blank
PSU Blank Insert https://geni.us/ds4246_psu_blank
CADDY Blank Insert https://geni.us/ds4246_caddy_blank
EAR CAPS https://geni.us/NETAPP_EAR_CAPS
I’ll touch on technical details, potential pitfalls, and overall value proposition of this often-overlooked storage solution. Let’s start really simple however for those that are new to storage and homelabs. I know from my adventures with the DE6600 the strengths and weaknesses of those JBODS very well now, and they are full of more then just disks… they are full of compromises. Unless you got the SAS-3 version of them, which is not cheap, they are best for low peak utilization tasks.
For the rest of us, the NetApp DS4246 and DS4243 JBODs (Just a Bunch Of Disks) are a great alternative that is more flexible and able to maximize ROI for hdds by allowing them to hit fully their potential. These enterprise-grade storage shelves, often available on the secondary market for cheap, offer a compelling alternative to building a storage array from scratch or investing in expensive new NAS or JBOD solutions. This article provides an in-depth review of the NetApp DS4246/DS4243 JBOD, covering its features, performance, configuration options, and suitability for various use cases.
What is a JBOD vs a NAS?
Before diving into the specifics of the NetApp DS4246/DS4243, let’s clarify what a JBOD is and why you might choose one over other storage options like Network Attached Storage (NAS) or a Server Area Network (SAN). A JBOD is essentially a passive enclosure that houses multiple hard drives or solid-state drives. It doesn’t provide any RAID functionality or network connectivity on its own. Instead, it relies on a host server with a Host Bus Adapter (HBA) to manage the drives and present them as individual disks to the operating system.
The primary benefits of a JBOD include:
High Capacity: JBODs can accommodate a large number of drives. 12 to 60 is fairly common, with 24 and 36 standing out as frequently encountered.
Flexibility: You have complete control over how the drives are configured and managed. ZFS is your friend.
Cost-Effectiveness: JBODs can be significantly cheaper than NAS or SAN solutions, especially when purchased used.
Performance: When paired with a high-performance HBA, a JBOD can deliver excellent read and write speeds.
However, JBODs also have some drawbacks:
No RAID: You’re responsible for implementing RAID at the host server level. TrueNAS is your friend.
Requires an HBA and special cables: You’ll need to purchase a compatible HBA to connect the JBOD to your server with special cables you for sure do not have laying around at home.
Noise: Large drive JBODs and even small count enclosures can suffer from high fan noise levels. That is not a correctable fan noise either however the DS4246 is somewhat of an oddity as a very mild fan noise when using proper air damning, drive count, and PSU layout.
NetApp DS4246/DS4243 Details
The NetApp DS4246 and DS4243 are 24-bay JBOD enclosures designed for enterprise environments. While similar in appearance, there are key differences between the two models. The DS4243 is based on SAS-1 technology, while the DS4246 utilizes SAS-2. This difference impacts the maximum achievable bandwidth and compatibility with newer HBAs. Both models support both SAS and SATA drives, offering flexibility in drive selection.
The DS4246/DS4243 boasts a robust build quality, featuring a sturdy metal chassis and redundant power supplies. The enclosures are designed for rack mounting, with options for both 2U and 4U configurations depending on the specific model and accessories. The front of the JBOD features 24 hot-swappable drive bays, allowing for easy drive replacement without shutting down the system.
Key Specifications:
Drive Bays: 24
Interface: SAS 2 (DS4243) / SAS 3 (DS4246)
Form Factor: 4U
Power Supplies: Redundant (up to quad)
Expansion Slots: SAS expansion ports for daisy-chaining multiple JBODs.
Drive Compatibility: SAS and SATA. Interposers will allow for fully blinkylight (and other interposer SAS stuff) on SATA.
Understanding SAS and PCIe Bandwidth
The performance of a JBOD is heavily influenced by the SAS interface and the bandwidth provided by the Host Bus Adapter (HBA). SAS (Serial Attached SCSI) is a high-speed data transfer protocol commonly used in enterprise storage environments. The DS4243 utilizes IOM3 modules SAS-1, which offers a theoretical maximum bandwidth of 3 Gbps per lane. The DS4246, on the other hand, supports IOM6 modules which are SAS-2, providing a theoretical maximum bandwidth of 6 Gbps per lane. THE GREAT NEWS is that the IOM6 can be used in a DS4243 and “upgrade” the performance to SAS-2. You can even use an IOM12, which is SAS-3, however it will not go faster than SAS-2 speeds as the backplane on the DS4243/6 uses expanders that will not perform higher than SAS-2 negotiation.
Choosing an HBA with sufficient PCIe lanes and SAS connectivity is easy and cheap for the DS4246/DS4243.
NetApp DS4246 Configuration and Connectivity
HBA Selection: The LSI 9207-8E external HBA is a popular choice, offering PCIe 3.0 x8 connectivity and 2 external SAS ports. The LSI 9201, while PCIe 2.0, can still deliver good performance with its 8-lane configuration also. Likely a decent option if you are looking for multiple JBOD daisy chain and failover. For future-proofing your HBA, the LSI 9305 allows for OM12 modules, but mixing SAS 2 backplanes with SAS 3 controllers won’t yield faster speeds on individual JBODs.
Cabling: QSFP to 8088 cables are required to connect the HBA to the JBOD. For daisy-chaining multiple JBODs, additional QSFP to QSFP cables must be used for the IOM3 and IOM6 controllers. The IOM12 controller uses Minisas 8644 connectors.
SAS Modules: The DS4243 and DS4246 come with either IOM3 or IOM6 SAS modules. The DS4246 and DS4243 benefit from IOM6 modules to fully utilize its SAS-2 capabilities. Upgrading from IOM3 to IOM6 is a must to fully saturate your potential with 24 HDDs that are hitting 175-200MB/s.
Power Supplies: The DS4246/DS4243 requires at least two power supplies for redundancy. Running with fewer than two PSUs can lead to horrible increased fan noise.
Blanking Panels: Blanking panels are used to fill unused drive bays, maintaining proper airflow and aesthetics. These can be purchased or easily fabricated from cardboard. Of note, you should also blank any front HDD bays that are not used. The system is engineered to have 24 disks loaded in for airflow balance or blanking. If you leave huge gaps, it will cause higher fan speeds.
Noise Levels and Thermal Management
One of the most appealing aspects of the NetApp DS4246/DS4243 is its relatively quiet operation, I mean for a JBOD it is really decent. Unlike most other enterprise storage enclosures, the DS4246/DS4243 relies on the power supplies for cooling, rather than a wall of noisy fans. This results in a significantly quieter operating environment, making it ideal for home data centers. You do not want to be sitting right beside it, but in its own area somewhat away from you it is not bad. Also it is highly advisable to give it either rack sides or a partition to operate in
Real-World Performance and Use Cases
The NetApp DS4246/DS4243 is well-suited for a variety of use cases, including:
Home Server Media: Expanding storage capacity for media libraries, backups, and virtual machines iSCSI stores. Operates with TrueNAS or Unraid perfectly, as well as any other operating system provided they support the HBA needed.
Home Datacenters: Building a centralized shared storage pool for something like Proxmox hosts.
Small Business Storage: Providing affordable and reliable storage for small businesses.
Data Archiving: Storing large amounts of data for long-term preservation.
Video Editing: Providing fast and reliable storage for video editing workflows. You can configure this to have easily 1.5-2GB/s performance, but need to pay attention to iops and latency. Mirrors setups in ZFS advisable.
SAS-1 modules on the DS4243 are not okay for anything demanding, however if you are simply reading data off drives they can function fine.
Cost and Availability
The NetApp DS4246/DS4243 can be found on the secondary market at relatively affordable prices. A fully configured DS4246 with 24 caddies can often be purchased for around $250-$300, depending on the condition and included accessories. Additional costs include the HBA, cables, drives, and potentially SAS modules.