New User New Machine Probably Old Questions

[blue68f100]

My 2000 was so quite I couldn't hear it running. That why I'm putting up with a little noise on my 2200.

[re3dyb0y]

Originally Posted by jontz

I solved the noise problem with my 4100 pretty easily. I put it in the basement with the rest of my network equipment. I haven't heard a peep out of it since Seriously, it isn't worth sacrificing the whole snap server just to make it a little quieter. If it is too loud, find a home for it where it isn't sitting beside the computer you are using.

Basements aren't that common in the uk, especiaslly out of built up areas

Spare rooms work if you have one, or attics, but ours being un used means its just the yellow insulation stuff



Suppose having you own house really helps

[pettefar]

I don't believe that replacing the old worn noisy fan with a new modern quieter fan is going to reduce my Snap Server to a heap of smouldering embers. However, having just set fire to my new KitchenAid liquidiser trying to mash potatoes, I will proceed with due caution.

Nick

[re3dyb0y]

Lol

As long as it has a reasonable CFM you are fine

As the fans in the 220 draw the air up from the base and exhaust through the back

[blue68f100]

Basements generally run cool. So lower CFM shouldn't hurt it. And the newer drives run cooler than the original ones.

My computer room/office runs warm due to all of the equipment. And it is the farthest room from the AC, so it doesn't cool down as summer moves in.

[pettefar]

AC?
Basement?

[re3dyb0y]

Basement - Cellar....


AC is probably air conditioning

[jontz]

LOL...gotta love being seperated by a common language. I didn't think about basements not being real common in the UK. I don't think that replacing your fan with a newer one will kill your snap, I was just cautioning against sacrificing CFM for lower noise levels. I have found several fans in the 24-27dba range, but nothing 20 or less that moved enough air to be satisfactory. Just make sure it moves enough air, which ever one you go with.

[pettefar]

I wasn't indicating that I misunderstood the terms, just that I did not posess either.

I have a space in the cupboard-under-the-stairs which it will fit in nicely as it will be replacing a PC case with an Intel 5-drive SCSI cage which I connect to my Ultra-10 and run software RAID on. Slow and noisy, expensive and small, hot and hungry. I want a lean Snap Server with a two-disk mirror, quiet, low-power and large.

I had a quick play with the www feature. See the pic.

[re3dyb0y]

Thats rather cool, dont think any one else has mentioned doing this!

[pettefar]

I was shocked/horrified/interested to see that the Snap Server PSU unit (brick on a wire) uses 12.7 Watts when the Snap Server is turned off! I thought that these modern auto-sensing switchmode PSUs didn't use anything without a load. If you unplug it from the Snap Server is still uses 7.6 Watts.

Nick - going green

[re3dyb0y]

Lol, Yeah

When im not using mine i turn it off and unplug it from the mains!

How did you find out how much power it was using?

[pettefar]

I bought a power meter from MachineMart, made by Brennenstuhl. (They also make good and cheap remote control mains switches.) Basically a small box with a socket one side and a plug on the other, an LCD display and some buttons. I've been using it to see how much things take/cost. My Sun server uses about 120 Watts with four internal drives and my external home-made RAID5 SCSI box 67 Watts.

[jontz]

I'm not familiar with the power supplies for the 2000 series, but any power supply that has a transformer in it will use power whenever it is plugged in since the primary is a closed circuit. So all those little wall warts are using power even when you aren't using them...

[pettefar]

Well it's a "switch-mode" PSU which means it rectifies the incoming mains to create about 400V DC and then uses big transistors to turn it back into AC but at a very much higher frequency. A transformer is then used to get the desired output Voltage ie 12V and the normal rectifying, smoothing and regulating takes place. The transformer and later components can be very small as they are much more efficient at higher frequencies. You can design these beasts to draw minimal current with no load but I guess this one isn't. PCs use the same types of PSU. I will see if I can find an alternate 12V PSU for the Snap Server.

Nick

[blue68f100]

Why don't you write a script that turns it on when you start your computer, and another one to tune it off when you shut down in the evening. You must go through the shutdown process, otherwise it will do a complete system check every time you start it up.

[re3dyb0y]

I dont know how you would be able to write a script to get it to boot up

Cause i dont think it supports WOL

[blue68f100]

Thinking more about it, We could shut down, but not startup. Holding the power button remotely will require some extra hardware. Shut down is possiable with the units supporting ups, remote shutdown.

[pettefar]

The main idea of me buying the Snap Server (the 500GB disks are on their way) is to reduce the cost of keeping my system on 24/7. It also increases my storage space. I will be replacing seven drives with two (my RAID5 plus a 120GB mirror) which will save about 50 Watts of power. I won't switch it off unless I need to do some maintenance or I go away for more than a day.

Nick

[jontz]

Originally Posted by blue68f100

Why don't you write a script that turns it on when you start your computer, and another one to tune it off when you shut down in the evening. You must go through the shutdown process, otherwise it will do a complete system check every time you start it up.

That would shut the snap down, but wouldn't cure the 12 watt loss that Nick is seeing even when the unit is off but still plugged in. I would LOVE to see the script that pulls the cord out of the wall after a safe shutdown

[jontz]

Originally Posted by pettefar

Well it's a "switch-mode" PSU which means it rectifies the incoming mains to create about 400V DC and then uses big transistors to turn it back into AC but at a very much higher frequency. A transformer is then used to get the desired output Voltage ie 12V and the normal rectifying, smoothing and regulating takes place. The transformer and later components can be very small as they are much more efficient at higher frequencies. You can design these beasts to draw minimal current with no load but I guess this one isn't. PCs use the same types of PSU. I will see if I can find an alternate 12V PSU for the Snap Server.

Thanks for the info Nick, knowledge is always appreciated. I looked at your post earlier and you said that it draws 12.7 watts when it is connected to the snap and 7.something watts when the snap is not connected. What is drawing current in the snap when the unit is off? Does the NIC card stay active when the unit is off? I can't imagine that the BIOS draws 5W to keep the clock running. Just curiousity...

[re3dyb0y]

Well they have the CMOS battery's


NIC Isn't active, the NIC comes active sometime during boot up

[jontz]

True, they do have a CMOS battery, but when they are plugged into the wall they usually pull power from the PS instead of the battery. The batt is only in case of AC fail. Must not be the NIC card though, since you said it is off until mid-boot. I guess it isn't a big deal, I was just curious what was alive in ticking in there while it was off.

[pettefar]

Hi, just come back from a German holiday.

No idea what's drawing the current. I'll have a little investigation. I might also try a different 12V PSU to try and eliminate that constant 7W drain.

I have unfortunately ordered S-ATA drives for my Snap Server instead of P-ATA (normal IDE)! Is there an adapter available thaty I can use if I can't persuade the company (Dabs.com) to take them back? I can't imagine how I made the mistake and therefore blame their website...

Nick - Doh!

[blue68f100]

There are adapters but they may be to big to fit into the inclosure.
Your best bet is to exchange them.