JBOD (Just a Bunch Of Disks) is a multilevel disk configuration that combines multiple drives into a single logical volume. In this architecture, multiple hard drives (HDDs) or solid-state drives (SSDs) are housed together in a single enclosure, and data is written sequentially, avoiding the more complex steps involved in RAID (Redundant Array of Independent Disks) systems. This makes JBOD an efficient on-premises storage method, used by organizations that need large amounts of storage that can be configured depending on their needs.
An Expansion Shelf is a type of JBOD: a storage enclosure that adds drive capacity to an existing system. Unlike a generic JBOD setup, the Expansion Shelf is managed directly by the connected host rather than by an independent storage controller. As with JBOD, multiple HDDs or SSDs are housed together in a single enclosure, and data is written sequentially, making it an efficient on-premises storage method that offers large amounts of additional capacity, scalable depending on the user's needs.
The Expansion Shelf is compatible with HYPERSeries appliances only.
What's in the box:
- The Expansion Shelf appliance
- Front bezel
- Mounting rails
- Power cables
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This quick-start guide
Installation
Each appliance ships with two sets of rails: an outer rail mounted on the rack, and an inner rail mounted on the Expansion Shelf appliance.
NOTE
Rails are marked (L) and (R) for left and right - make sure to
respect this marking when mounting.
Release the inner rail:
Step 1. Pull the inner rail until fully extended
Step 2. Press the locking tab to release the inner rail
Step 3. Pull the inner rail out
Mount the appliance:
Step 1. Mount the outer rails in the rack
Step 2. Mount the inner rails on the appliance
Step 3. Slide the appliance into the rack rails
Connect the cables
Choose the cabling method based on your configuration.
Standard Cascade Cabling (HyperSeries Appliance)
Up to four Expansion Shelves can be connected in cascade (daisy chaining). The first Expansion Shelf connects to the HYPERSeries
appliance; every additional Expansion Shelf connects to the previous one already installed.
- Connecting the first Expansion Shelf:
Step 1. Connect the ports marked in blue on the HYPERSeries appliance and the Expansion Shelf
Step 2. Connect the power cables (red connectors)
- Connecting additional Expansion Shelves:
Step 1. Connect the ports marked in blue on the two Expansion Shelves
Step 2. Connect the power cables (red connectors)
VIA SAS CONTROLLER (ESXi-Based Systems)
Use this method if you're connecting a JBOD to a Syneto system through a dedicated SAS controller (passthrough configuration)
instead of standard cascade cabling.
Step 1. Connect a Mini-SAS HD cable to one of the RED ports (see picture above), physically marked ‘IN’ on the JBOD
Step 2. Connect a RJ45 Ethernet cable to the ORANGE port (see picture above), to have "BMC/IPMI" access to this machine
Syneto Cabling
Connect the other end of the HD Mini-SAS cable (previously connected on the JBOD) to the lower port of the Syneto external SAS connector.
The External SAS connector is located on the right side of the main node.
Add an Additional JBOD
Step 1. Connect one Mini-SAS HD cable to the blue ‘out’ port of the first JBOD (also connected to Syneto)
Step 2. Connect the other end of the HD Mini-SAS cable to the red ‘in’ port of the second JBOD
Step 3. If you have more than two JBODs, repeat steps 1 and 2, where the first JBOD will become the second JBOD, and so on
Add a JBOD Controller
Step 1. Power off the ESXi host and disconnect it from the power source
Step 2. Install the SAS controller into an available PCIe slot on the server
Step 3. Power on the ESXi host
Step 4. Connect to VMware ESXi (via GUI)
Step 5. Navigate to Host > Manage > Hardware > PCI Devices and locate the newly installed SAS controller in the list of PCI devices
Step 6. Enable Passthrough for the SAS controller and confirm the operation
Step 7. Reboot the ESXi host to apply the passthrough configuration
When restarting ESXi, keep all virtual machines and SynetoOS powered off
Step 8. Edit the SynetoOS VM settings and add the SAS controller as a PCI Device
Step 9. Power on the SynetoOS VM
Power on the appliance
Press the power button located on the front-left to start the appliance.
NOTE
It takes around 30 seconds for the Expansion Shelf to start.
Wait until you hear the fans spinning and see the LED lights before proceeding.
Complete software setup
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If the Expansion Shelf was delivered together with the HYPERSeries appliance, it was already preconfigured during the factory build
process - skip to "Verify Installation" below. - If the Expansion Shelf was delivered separately, complete the setup manually:
Step 1. Log in to the SynetoOS web console
Step 2. Go to the Drives page
Step 3. Click Use drives and confirm the action in the dialog
Verify installation
Open the Drives page. You should see a representation of the Expansion Shelf, with all drives marked as used in a pool.