SUPERMICRO MBD-X7SPA-HF-O Mini ITX Server Motherboard

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PCIx slot (x4), IPMI server managementHad Itx board with D510, but all came with PCI (NOT PCI Express) so in working with with RAID card was limited to PCI 33mhz (sucks). With this board, was able to use Adaptec 1430SA and PCI Express x4!! Now have my perfect build - this board, RAID 10 across 4 1TB drives, in Chenbro ES34069 case. Tiny, modest, rapid. Note you need to have a 90 deg riser card to use PCI card in that case. All SATA are on 1 controller, can't mix IDE and RAIDBelieved initially to use 1 SATA for process tough drive, 1 SATA for DVD drive, remaining four SATA for 4x 1TB bard drives in computer software raid via the ICH9R. Sad to say, Windows House Server will not install quickly on a drive managed as a RAID drive, and due to the fact all 6 SATA are on 1 controller, you have to have all managed as RAID, or none. Necessary me to get Adaptec 1430SA 4port SATA PCI card, but that's possibly a better resolution anyway. Video does indeed suck, but this is is a server board not an HTPC. The IPMI server management software is amazing even though - generally a mini simple laptop or computer interface available all the time as a web page at the server's IP address. Had difficulty hooking up a virtual drive, I believe you're limited to "attaching" ISO pictures, not routing an actual challenging drive.

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6 Sata connections, USB plug directly on board. Overall high quality product. Manual that came with a board could be confusing for somebody who is applied to operating with other well recognized brands. Front panel connectors are located in somewhat strange place. Read the manual. This a excellent mobo for somebody looking to create high quality household server. I am running unRaid from USB stick, but you should not have any troubles utilizing FreeNas, or even WHS. I recommend installing single RAM in upper bank, when I installed RAM in lower bank, motherboard did not want to boot. Rather strangeIf you are still searching for a smaller factor case, your options are rather restricted, to Lian Li PC-Q08 and Fractal Style Array R2. Both can home 6x3.5' hard drives and SSD. PC-Q08 will need nevertheless PSU (single rail, 12V) for your server. Array R2 comes with SFX PSU currently, but it would have to be shipped from Canada (google it). Newegg please incorporate Fractal Style merchandise in your inventory.

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two intel nics. ip kvm and ipmi. low power usage. win2008r2 installed with no issues. vyatta (linux router distro) also worked flawlessly. greate box if you want a soho/smb server or vyatta router. upgrade the ipmi software program ahead of performing anything else. Can not get radius authentication to work with the web gui, only nearby authentication. most likely not a big deal for most people today.maki

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* A lot of power for a residence server* Very quiet* I can't say how magical and amazing the IPMI feature is! Surely worth an added 20. See Other thoughts below...* Very reasonably priced - don't forget that this cost consists of the processor! * Memory fits snuggly. Took a couple times to get it seated appropriate. I've been searching for a smaller server to suit the mild desires of a hobbyist for years. One thing that is reasonably priced, has a lot of storage, is quiet, uncomplicated on the energy, and modest has been unimaginable prior to this came to market. Two years ago, if you had told me that I could assemble a dual processor Ɣ if you count the hyperthreading) server with two TB of storage and four Gigs of RAM for about 5 hundred dollars, I would not have believed it.The IPMI function blew my socks off! You can quickly install your OS from an ISO image. Just plug in the network cable. From another pc on the identical network, you can scan for IPMI devices, and launch a Java based client. That client lets you power on the pc, open a virtual console to act as your monitor, mount an ISO to boot from, and do a bunch of other stuff. Remarkable. Get it.Memory: I got 4 Gigs of DDR2 667 GSkill memory N82E16820231154 It uses the Hynix modules that Supermicro approves.

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Works with Server 2008 R2 64-bit very properly. Loaded Core Server onto two mirrored 2.five" WD Blue drives in a mirror and coupled with 4GB GSKILL RAM and this factor gets to login in 35 secs such as post. THE IPMI feature is what makes this mobo worth 躔 IMO. Basically remarkable! Passive heatsink does get warm. No room to place a fan over it if coupled with the SM 1U case. Maintain this in mind. Not sure what I'll rig in there but it's too hot for my liking. Runs as hot as 100'F CPU/ 115'F Technique w/o fan in a 72'F room. A 4200RMP fan over it dropped it to 42'Fኌ'F so it's worth seeking into. Can't locate any replacements on-line atm. Possibly the BIOS misreporting temps there nevertheless as I've noticed it jump around a few times. Exceptional value for a near silent, ultra low power, extremely cost successful server. If your pc room is cooled decently then the heat will most most likely be a non-issue for you.

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I use this board for my NAS/download station, works properly no problem so far. IPMI is a major + It's just idealI have got five hdd plug to it draw 50W on idleI have been able to get 115MB/s from a local 2to WD Green to a Raid of 2 1to WD Black basically awesome!! had a cpu sensor problem, has been fix on bios 1.0C Run Windows Server 2008 R2 64bit on it, Freenas works well to :)

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Everything I wanted for a NAS. The out of band management software is new to me, I like it. Wish it had additional memory capacity, for ZFS cache.