What is interesting is that backblaze still use the 45 drive in 4u config.
We use Dell/LSI/Netapp/engenio md3260s which pack 60 drives into the same space. We use raid 6, as we want the storage to manage the redundancy, not the software. With four hot spares we achieve a density of 170 tb usable per 4u (technically its 5U as we have a fileserver sitting on top. however assuming 48u it works out the same density)
With backblaze, assuming raid 6(unless you are using FEC then there is no other way.) you'll only get 120TB per 4u (but a file server as well)
The big advantage of the Dell/netapp/etc raid is that the drives are easily hot swappable. Ironically at the scale that backblaze are doing it, they are probably cheaper as well.
We also have some of those Engenio JBODs at my office for "big data", but I assume they're much more expensive than the Storage Pod. My general experience with enterprisey hot-swap JBODs is that the enclosure costs more than the drives.
Supermicro also has a 4x12 drive in 4U box that looks a little less "homemade" than the Backblaze Storage Pod.
Comments
What is interesting is that backblaze still use the 45 drive in 4u config.
We use Dell/LSI/Netapp/engenio md3260s which pack 60 drives into the same space. We use raid 6, as we want the storage to manage the redundancy, not the software. With four hot spares we achieve a density of 170 tb usable per 4u (technically its 5U as we have a fileserver sitting on top. however assuming 48u it works out the same density)
With backblaze, assuming raid 6(unless you are using FEC then there is no other way.) you'll only get 120TB per 4u (but a file server as well)
The big advantage of the Dell/netapp/etc raid is that the drives are easily hot swappable. Ironically at the scale that backblaze are doing it, they are probably cheaper as well.
We also have some of those Engenio JBODs at my office for "big data", but I assume they're much more expensive than the Storage Pod. My general experience with enterprisey hot-swap JBODs is that the enclosure costs more than the drives.
Supermicro also has a 4x12 drive in 4U box that looks a little less "homemade" than the Backblaze Storage Pod.
Yes and no, ours are pretty cheap, and they come with 24x7 4 hour response, which means that we don't have to worry about keeping lots of spares.