I will have 3-4 servers that will need SAN access for both IOPS performance, and raw storage capacity. The limit is, cost. Solutions I have seen run $10,000+ for anything 9TB or higher.
If I were to build my own, what hardware would you recommend and what software should be used if it is a $5000-7000 spending limit?
It will all be linux environments.
Best Answer
Openfiler can provide the iSCSI infrastructure for the SAN. Your cost then is simply the disks and enclosure.
You might look at something like this:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811219021
which provides 20 hot-swap drive bays for SAS drives. Slap in a motherboard of your choosing and some good SAS controllers. Let openfiler handle the RAID-6 and the iSCSI for you. I think you could do it quite cost effectively.