William Osman, I Built You a Computer!

This video chronicles the ambitious, and often humorous, construction of portable storage servers, referred to as "ASS" (Anywhere Storage Server). Faced with the challenge of building two robust and transportable units for an event, the creators opted for high-capacity data center SSDs, totaling 45TB, and a powerful server motherboard with consumer CPU compatibility. The build involved intricate fabrication, including 3D-printed components, custom bracket modifications, and unexpected troubleshooting with cabling and cooling solutions. Despite numerous setbacks and moments of questionable craftsmanship, the project culminated in functional, albeit rugged, storage systems designed for demanding use.

The process highlighted the practical application of server-grade hardware in a portable form factor, demonstrating how to integrate components like network switches and powerful CPUs into compact enclosures. Key challenges included ensuring the durability of the portable units, managing heat dissipation for high-performance drives, and creatively overcoming design limitations with available tools and materials. The narrative emphasizes the iterative nature of complex builds, where improvisation and problem-solving are as crucial as the initial design.

The video also touches upon the event for which these servers were built, suggesting their role in capturing vast amounts of video footage. The creators discuss the importance of data integrity with RAID configurations and the use of advanced file system features like compression. Ultimately, the project showcases a blend of technical expertise and a willingness to embrace the chaotic, hands-on process of creation, resulting in a unique and functional piece of equipment.

• The project involves building two portable "Anywhere Storage Servers" (ASS).
• Each server utilizes four Kioxia CD6 data center SSDs, totaling 15.36TB each, for a combined usable storage of 45TB.
• A server motherboard with socket AM5 compatibility is used, allowing for a consumer CPU like the Ryzen 9 9950X3D.
• The build incorporates a UniFi Pro XG8 PoE network switch and addresses cooling for components.
• The storage setup employs RAID Z2 configuration for data redundancy and ZFS for features like file system compression.

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Building a Portable NAS [00:00]

• The need for significant storage arises from filming content for an event.
• Building a traditional NAS is presented as straightforward, but a portable version with specific requirements is more challenging.
• The project aims to create "Anywhere Storage Servers" (ASS) that are portable and robust.

This requires storage. A lot of storage. And we all know that building a NAS or network attached storage is way harder than building an X-ray machine.

But when the customer asks for it to be portable and gives you a month to do it, and then asks you to build two of them, then it gets more difficult.

Core Components and Storage Capacity [02:04]

• The portable ASS is designed to be robust, utilizing four Kioxia CD6 data center SSDs.
• Each SSD has a capacity of 15.36 TB.
• The total usable data storage amounts to 45 TB.

To make sure that this portable ass would be as robust as possible. We opted for a set of four Kioxia CD6 data center SSDs. Each of these holds a whopping 15.36 terabytes of data. So do the math and you've got 45 terabytes of usable data and lightning fast.

Server Motherboard and CPU Selection [03:38]

• A server motherboard that uses socket AM5 is selected, allowing for consumer CPUs.
• The difference between server and regular motherboards includes an extra network port for remote access (rebooting, BIOS flashing).
• The chosen CPU is a Ryzen 9 9950X3D, described as the fastest consumer CPU available, with 16 cores and 3D vCache.
• The CPU might need to be run in eco mode due to the case's ventilation limitations.

It's a server motherboard, but it uses socket AM5, meaning that you can put a regular consumer chip in it.

So, you can buy things like this that hold these special NVME drives. Except the the one for PC Gen 4, not even Gen 5 is $500 just for the case.

Networking and Connectivity [04:42]

• A network switch, specifically a UniFi Pro XG8 PoE, is integrated into the ASS.
• This switch provides 8 ports of 10 Gigabit with PoE++ and 2 SFP+ 10 Gigabit ports.
• It facilitates connecting multiple computers to the ASS and managing Ethernet cable pass-through.

And another thing that ASS is going to have in it is a network switch because I was told that multiple computers need to connect to this ASS which is a UniFi Pro XG8 PoE. It's a 8 port 10 gig PoE++ two SFP plus 10 gig.

The Pelican Case and Portability [05:24]

• The primary enclosure for the portable storage server is a Pelican case.
• This choice emphasizes the rugged and portable nature of the device, suitable for transport to events like Open Sauce.

The Pelican case. It's a portable rugged NAS that can be taken to open source.

Hard Drive NAS Construction and Cooling [05:30]

• A second system, the Minis Forum MSA2, is designated as the "hard drive NAS."
• This unit requires cooling due to heat generation from its components.
• Options for cooling include integrating a specifically sized fan or designing an external fan solution.

We got the Minis Forum MSA2. This is a very small but very powerful computer. It has a 16 core CPU in it, not unlike that one, but just more power efficient. Yeah, this is going to be the hard drive NAS. But the problem is these get hot and they need cooling.

Fabricating Mounts and Enclosure Modifications [06:37]

• Custom mounts made from polycarbonate carbon fiber are prepared, designed for high-temperature resistance.
• The material can withstand temperatures around 100-110°C directly off the printer, and up to 130°C after annealing.
• Modifications to the case are necessary to accommodate components, involving cutting and fitting.

These are these are polycarbonate carbon fiber. It's incredibly high temperature resistant. This can handle like fresh off the printer like 100° C. 110°C maybe. And if you anneal it, apparently you can do like 130°. Celsius, which is that's pretty hot for plastic.

Power Supply and System Integration [08:30]

• An HDLEX gallium nitride 500-watt power supply is selected due to its compact size.
• This power supply is designed to be mounted onto the side of the case.

And of course, if we're putting a computer in here, we also need a computer power supply. And that's where this HDLEX gallium nitride 500 watt power supply is going to come into play. It's very small, which is pretty much why I'm using it. And this will just screw into the side like something like that.

Component Compatibility and Modifications [09:26]

• The PCIe bracket for the Minis Forum MSA2 needed modification to fit due to its non-standard size.
• The bracket was cut and ground down to ensure a perfect fit, making it appear stock.
• Mounting M3 screws with Loctite are used for securing components.

So the PCIe bracket for this was the normal long one, but this computer right here, which is the Minis Forum MSA2, it doesn't have the long bracket. And so I cut it and ground it down. And now it fits perfectly. Look, you can't even tell. I'm holding up something that looks stock. Tada.

Storage Drive Installation and Considerations [10:10]

• The installation of storage drives involves careful alignment and securing.
• Eyeballing alignment for multiple drives is a technique used.
• The material used (plastic) allows for making new holes if alignment is off, potentially improving airflow.

Okay, so here's what we're going to do. I'm going to put this one in. Then I'm going to take this one and I'm going to like kind of eyeball line up this one. And then I'm going to kind of like eyeball line up the rest of them. That seems like a really good idea.

SSD Cooling and Power Button Issues [19:38]

• Upon booting, it's discovered that the SSDs lack cooling and idle at 70°.
• A 3D-printed bracket with a fan is designed to provide additional cooling.
• The system lacks a physical power button, requiring a screwdriver to turn on.

The problem is once I got it booted up and I was looking at stuff, I realized we forgot to add cooling to the SSDs. Under normal circumstances, Jake and I would absolutely advocate for proper cooling for these drives. They were idling at 70°, which wasn't enough to kill it, but I'm sure as soon as we went to like write any data to this thing, it would have been game over.

I also forgot a power button. There's no power button. You use a screwdriver to turn it on.

Final Assembly and Transport [21:38]

• The completed ASS is delivered and set up at Open Sauce.
• The build process involved various challenges, including unexpected issues with cooling and power.
• The final setup utilizes Truness software on the system.

There you go, William. Handd delivered and set up for you at Open Sauce. And while I didn't get to go, I heard nothing but amazing things about the event, including all the gadgets and creators that were able to attend.

Fortunately, I did do most of the setup already. It's got trass scale on it. It's seemingly working.