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Fitting 2 PCI Cards into a 1U Case?
Joane Lispton asks: "I would like to ask the Slashdot crowd if they can help me do the following: I want to fit a x86 motherboard, two drives (Maxtor HD and CD-RW unit) and _two_ PCI cards into a 1U case (plus fan & power supply). Is this feasible? I was wondering whether there is some sort of "L-shaped" adapter that allows you to place PCI cards PARALLEL to the motherboard... Any tips are greatly appreciated!"
I distinctly remember something like this existing for ISA cards, (it plugged into the normal ISA slot and had ISA slots that mounted parallel to the motherboard). Has a PCI equivalent been introduced?
No, they come with 2 PCI slots. I've got a 9' rack full of Blazers.
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Don't underestimate 1U boxes until you see this: http://www.alpha-processor.com/products/cs20.shtml
Not only does it have two PCI slots, but it's shorter then most 1U boxes, and it has 2 alpha processors in it! I didn't believe it until I saw one in person.
The ITI-2135, ITI-2147, and ITI-2150 riser cards are new products that IntraServer-LSI Logic introduced to enable OEMs, System Integrators, and Resellers to build systems where vertical space and PCI slots are at a premium.
ITI-2135, ITI-2147, and ITI-2150 use one PCI slot and create three 64-bit PCI slots at a 90 degree angle to the motherboard surface. These adapters are ideally suited to OEMs, System Integrators, and Resellers who require more PCI slots or have space constraints. These cards are ideally suited for 2U form factor system enclosures.
YMMV,
Bill
You didn't mention what PCI cards you wanted to stick in there. Network Engines' 1U boxes have two onboard NICs and space for one extra PCI card.
Penguin Computing will soon be delivering 1U boxes with dual NICs. Since they are using more commodity motherboards, they'll probably have integrated sound as well.
There is also the option of using PCMCIA. You can get PCMCIA bridge cards and plug in your peripherals to that. It's too bad there aren't many PCMCIA desktops. You can have an ultra-slim case and if you need expansion, just plug it in and blam. Most Linux distributions will immediately pick up the device and use it, too.
An L shaped adapter won't work for PCI- Each slot has a few unique lines- you can't share them, unless your right-angle adapter has a PCI-PCI bridge on it.
There are 1U servers from Dell (for sure) and Compaq (I think) that support 2 cards. I'm pretty sure other manufacturers have them as well, but all the mass produced 1U boxes I've seen use custom motherboards.
Perhaps if you'd accurately assesed your needs before you puchased a machine specifically for it's small size, you wouldn't be in such a bind. Not trying to be a bitch, but if you're buying 1U machines, you're either doing it for the size, or for the fanboy factor.
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You say that you want an IDE HD, CD-RW, the motherboard and two PCI cards. Fine. Now you want to get those into a 1U case? Well, first off, all rackmount cases are pretty custom jobs--though you can find larger (4 or 5U) cases that will support standard motherboards. The 1U motherboards are generally made custom for the particular case, etc. That's why they are so gosh darn expensive. I just really hope you aren't going to try and put your already owned equipment into a box you can buy. No sir, you'll just have to get some fiberglass or resin sheets and make it yourself.
On the other hand, if you just need to have those basic parts inside the 1U case, you may be able to buy something more ready-made. What PCI cards do you need exactly, anyway? If you just want one as an ethernet card, most 1U motherboards come with those on-board as well as other typically needed devices. In a 1U case you just don't have enough room to put much more than one PCI card off a riser inside the case--it is common in the 2U cases, though. Check out VALinux and Penguin Computing before you get yourself into too much trouble.
With all that said, you can get something close to what I think you're looking for here. You may have to cut it down, or maybe they can custom-make exactly what you want. Regardless, expect to spend lots of money and/or time on this little project of yours.
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