More on drive rails for the w2100z/w1100z
Ok,
So I know this has been covered before, but this is too good to pass up. I wanted to ADD some additional SCSI drives to my w2100z's (one drive to each, so each workstation would have 2 drives). So I called up my SUN reseller, and asked for a quote. I made a point to say that the drives need to come with the rails, since I'm adding these drives, not replacing them. This is a machine for my business, so I am willing to buy the drive from Sun, so my warranty is preserved.
This was the reply from the SUN reseller (copied from the e-mail):
"Also triple checked with the engineers at Sun and the rails are not included as they are already housed in the "2100" workstation. I have tried to explain many times that you wish to purchase the rails for the drive. The only way you could get new rails is if Sun would come out to repair the existing ones. I was told that this is a PC style system which means the rails are inside the drive bay inside of the workstation. Another way to go about getting new rails is from a PC store. Sorry about that Simon."
Which one is it? I know for a fact there are no "extra" rails in my system, and the moderator on this board has said before "the rails only come with a Sun drive"
I'm getting a migrane here. Does anyone have a solution?
Frustrated,
Simon
[1569 byte] By [
SimonG] at [2007-11-25 22:37:55]
# 1
It's what I believe to be a misunderstanding of the definition of <i>slide</i> and of <i>bracket</i>.
The IDE drive bays of the W1100 and the removable media bay of the W2100 have plastic slides that can snap into the screw holes of the upgrade you are installing.Then that drive can slide into the channels of the bay.If you need to fit a 3.5" device in a 5.25" bay, then generic rail kits from a P.C. shop can be used.
The brackets we've spoken of earlier have been for the SCSI drives, and arrive mounted to the Sun disk to permit an easy slide-in to, and a quick-release from, their drive bays.
Those two particular workstations are different from all earlier workstations: chassis internals, simultaneous SCSI plus IDE disk drive capabilities, and more.Those differences are probably contributing to much of this confusion.
Bill at 2007-7-5 14:07:12 >
# 2
Simon, for the 2100z there are two disk X options;
<a href="http://sunsolve.sun.com/handbook_pub/Systems/W210 0z/components.html#Disks" target="_blank"> http://sunsolve.sun.com/handbook_pub/Systems/W2100z/componen ts.html#Disks</a>
Choose the size disk you need and give your reseller that X option number, for example, if you want to buy a 73GB disk, order option number X9219A.
# 3
Yes, I have a solution. Don't ever buy anything from Sun and strongly encourage others to do the same. Why they refuse to sell these rails is beyond reason.
# 4
I do believe the reason has to do with quality control... the only way Sun can offer a warranty is when they can control what goes in the equipment they put their name on it...
as for a boycott on their equipment, I am all over it! I won't buy their million doller servers... oh, wait, I don't have that kind of money!
you don't like their policies, I wish you all the luck in the world with peecees!
harold
# 5
Mr Ruddy, your statement is stupid. I'm sure anyone with a half decent bit of sense would be able to order these rails ( I have seen 3rd party versions ) and a disk and install the item into a workstation like yours. There are many other disk options that could be used also, for example an external USB disk drive or a disk caddy ( the type that fits into the spare CD drive bay ). You remind me of a guy who once asked me " Why should I spend +10000USD on a 10 slot 360GB Fibre Channel disk array when I could buy a 400GB SATA disk for 400USD " the answer is obvious, if you are using the storage for an enterprise application then go for the array, if you're a geek playing games or storing loads of your holiday snap shots, then the SATA disk is for you. Sun designed the W1100z and W2100z to meet enterprise customer demand for low cost x86 desktop products. Sun customers demand availability, the options that Sun offers for sale are selected, customized and rigorously tested to meet very high standards, this is the reason for the high price. If you look at prices of parts for Opteron systems made by any other manufacturer you'll see they are similarly priced. If you had an issue with cost when you were thinking about buying a new machine then you probably should have opted to buy a PC system based on a Athlon 64.
# 6
Make the rails yourself ! I took a wood paint-stirring stick (like you get with house paint) and used a whittling knife to trim to the correct width, then broke it off for the correct length. My drill produced usable holes at the correct spacing with little effort, and in 5 minutes total I had 2 working rails.
I realize this seems a bit extreme, but when I already own a perfectly good 73GB SCSI320 drive still under warrantee, I'm not paying Sun for another.
The stirring stick, by the way, was free from the local paint shop.Sun could learn something from this - at least include a spare set of rails with the 1100 and 2100 so those so inclined can install a second drive.
# 7
I'm getting ready to try the paint stick route. The ones for 5 gallon cans are closer to the same thickness as the green plastic ones.
I think I've been spoiled by the Linux/*BSD OSS world, but if Sun marketing thinks I'm going to pay $350 for a pair of these drive rails, they're nuts.
Even if they do come with a yellow handle and a free disk drive.
I smell a (very) small niche market...
# 8
new drives from Sun drives DO come with the drive sled (blue plastic side brackets and the green handle). you were misinformed. the part number for the 80g drive assembly (assembly means 'drive + bracket' in Sun terminology) is X9219A (73G 10K U320) or X9220A (146G 10K U320).
Sun doesn't apparently sell the sleds by themselves - they use that to crowbar you into buying the drives from Sun instead of 3rd party. It's pretty easy to find ways to install 3rd party drives if you're ingenious.
If you *break* the drive sled and you're not under warranty, you will indeed have difficulty finding new ones - try the Sun aftermarket brokers who sell used Sun equipment.
