We Got Served

Backplane Hot Swap Modules are one the more popular “optional” items that are found in Windows Home Server machines.  Popularized by HP MSS machines, these modules have found their into many competitor’s WHS-specific machines and many home-built machines.  They really are a very useful addition to WHS computers, especially as one begins to swap drives to provide an increased level of backup protection.

Today, I am taking a look at the Norco SS-500 Backplane Hot Swap Module.  This is 5 bay module that fits in (3) 5-1/4” case bays.

Specifications

Features

• 5 Bay SATA(I or II)/SAS Hot Swap Module
• Aluminum frame, Aluminum cover
• Electromagnetism shield design
• Support two 4pin power connectors
• Patent balance handle — No skew in/out
• LED indicators (for Power, Fan alarm & Reset)
• Power control
• Reset Switch for buzzer alarm
• Support hot swap
• Support all operating systems
• Ball bearing fan with air duct
• Supports RAID 0, 1, 5 functions (RAID card required)

Before I give you a hands-on look at the module, it is appropriate to provide some background information about Norco.  From their website:

NORCO, formed in 1991 through the merger of leading industry innovators, is the leading worldwide supplier of server rackmount, storage systems, network appliances, industrial PC parts and solutions distributed by 100 companies around the world.

Introduction

We are a leading manufacturer of server rackmount, storage systems, network appliances, industrial PC parts and solutions. The company also manufactures enclosures, primarily for industrial computers. Since its listing in 1990, the company has grown significantly in terms of revenues and profit. We now have a market capitalization of over $1 billion USD.

Strategy

NORCO’s objective is to maintain our position as one of the leading manufacturers of server rackmount, storage systems and other industrial computer accessory. We also aim to successfully develop products and market for use in network communication and embedded system products. A number of strategies have been developed to attain this objective:

Develop strategic relationship with industry leaders – By working closely with top-tier chipset and bois companies, NORCO is able to predict market trends accurately and introduce new products ahead of our competitors.

Achieve further vertical integration – Further integration of the production process allows NORCO to exercise better control over the quality of our products.

Maintain technologically advanced and flexible production capabilities – This increases NORCO ’s competitiveness relative to our peers and allows us to stay one step ahead of the opposition.

New products – NORCO leverages from our manufacturing expertise, and continues to move tirelessly into new areas of related business.

Research & Development

Research and development (R&D) are the lifeblood of any high-tech company. In a market as competitive as that of the PC industry, NORCO depends on our R&D efforts to bring products to the market before our competitors. Approximately 5% of NORCO’s revenues are committed to R&D expenditure.

NORCO works closely with our clients to implement the latest technologies. Research is a two way process – not only does NORCO provide what the client wants, but through extensive dialogue and consultation, we exceed their requirements.

Quality & Speed

At NORCO, quality is more an action than a slogan. Quality control is implemented in all aspects of operations to meet the high standards of top tier customers. This philosophy permeates all levels of the production process. NORCO conforms to the most rigorous standards of quality and safety.

Global Network

NORCO’s ability to quickly deliver “Built-to-Order” products, as well as our superb time-to-market and global inventory control abilities are NORCO’s other significant competitive advantages.

NORCO’s principal manufacturing operations are based in China. NORCO has production facilities located in two areas – Shenzhen, in the Guangdong Province and Shanghai

In North America, NORCO has branches located in Los Angeles and Toronto. NORCO will continue to build its global distribution and production operations.

Future Growth Potential

• RAID storage systems
• POS boards
• DVR cards and system
• Compact PCI enclosures and boards
• Low power embedded system application

Getting back to the item being discussed today, I removed the package from the shipping box.  I took some shots of various sides as shown below.  It is perhaps a little difficult to tell from these pictures but this box is quite large!

The last picture provides about all the instructions/connection information you will get with this bay module.  Opening up the box gives you a view of how the item is packaged, which is quite secure.

In order to squeeze 5 HD bays into (3) 5-1/4” case bays, Norco incorporates 2 distinct design features.  First, Norco mounts the bays vertically.  Second, the trays are designed to minimize width requirements by providing what appears to a cross between a full caddy system and a caddyless system.  There is no bottom to the caddy, only the front cover and side rails, as can be seen below.

The black plastic piece at the back of the tray is simply a filler/spool piece that provide rigidity to the caddy when a drive is not installed, and allows one to keep the drive screws with the caddy at all times.  As the screws used with these kinds of modules are almost always unique, this is big plus when trying to find those special mounting screws.

The following picture is a shot of the back side of the module.  You can see the fan here, of course, and the SATA connectors.  Along the bottom (in this picture), you will find 2 standard 4-pin Molex connectors.

What I was really pleased to see is that 90/92mm fan can be easily removed and that it contains a standard 3-pin fan connector.  Backplane modules are not known, in my experience, to have very quiet fans.  If desired, it appears quite easy to be able to replace this fan with a quieter fan of your choice.  Another option is to make use of a fan controller.  In my computer, I use a Crystalfontz PWM fan controller for case fans.  With this module, I can make use of the Crystalfontz device and automatically ramp up/down fan speed as temps change.  Quiet is one feature I really like to have.

The following picture is just another shot of this module from the side.

When I built my WHS machine, I installed an iStarUSA BPU-340 3×5.25″ to 4×3.5″ Hot Swap module.  In order to make use of the Norco product, I removed the iStar module.  The following pictures provides an idea of the look and size differences between these products.

One advantage that the iStar unit has over many of the other hot swap modules that are out there is that it incorporate side slots.  This allows one to install this device in computers that have drive bay guides, like the CoolerMaster case I use for my WHS.

The Norco unit does not incorporate these slots, which is the price one pays to maximize drive quantity potential in the same space.  As these particular case bays in my WHS computer will always contain some sort of hot swap module, a little “surgery” with various pliers rendered this a moot point.

The most time consuming portion of this whole exercise came next, which was to transfer my 4 drives from 1 set of caddies to the other set.

32 screws later, I was able to gently push the Norco device into my computer bays, hook up the data and power connections, and secure the the module.  As you can see below, it is tight fit!

And yes, I know.  My wire management sucks, and I really need some compressed air to blow the dust out.

I turned on the computer and was somewhat relieved to discover that I had reconnected everything correctly and that my WHS was back in business.

The Norco hot swap module was a tight fit depth-wise, but it sure looks slick in my WHS from the outside.  Gives it a very nice professional server-type look.  When I first turned on the computer, I was expecting to hear an increased noise level over my previous configuration.  The iStar module has a high/low fan setting and I had it set on the low fan setting, as the high setting was rather loud and obnoxious.  The Norco unit does not have any fan speed settings.  I was pleasantly surprised to find that the noise level was the same, or perhaps slightly less.  Pleasantly surprised, indeed!

Another benefit that I soon found was that my drives had an approximate 2-3°C average drop in temperature.  Even though the drive density was higher, the increased (I assume) airflow and the more open caddies helped to draw heat from the drives.  Nice!

Just a minor update regarding the fan.  I changed the setup where my Crystalfontz fan controller now controls the Norco backplane fan.  This controller controls a rear case fan, side case fan, and the Norco fan.  I have simplified control of these fans by programming a manual setting of 80% of full speed for these 3 fans.  The result: very little fan noise.  Not silent, but very close.

And that is about all there is.  The module is quite sturdy and appears well built.  I detected no sharp edges of any kind.  Insertion of the caddies was smooth, however, there there was a slight “softness” at the end.  Closing the latch (again a slight feeling of “softness’) brought everything in line, but it was something I felt I had check to make sure everything was inserted and latched properly.  It simply lacked that positive click-latch feel that I have felt from other modules.  Another item to note is that the caddies seemed rather flimsy without the spool piece or drive attached to them.  This flimsiness disappeared when I attached the drive, however.

Costs and Conclusion

Pros:

• 5-in-3 module.
• Screws remain with empty caddies.
• Gives your case a very nice professional look.
• Easy to reach power and data connectors, as they are appropriately placed if one needs to access them with the case side cover off.
• Non-garish LED arrays.
• Fan and Temperature Alarms, which can be turned off with jumper switches.
• Quiet fan.
• Fan is easy to replace and/or hook up to external fan controller, if desired.
• Keeps drives cool.
• At $89.99, this is a bargain.

Cons:

• No manual. This seems to a common occurrence with most backplane modules, however.
• Depth of unit may be a problem in smaller cases.
• The absence of drive bay slots may require some case modifications.
• The use of standard Molex power connections in lieu of SATA power connections.  Many power supplies have an abundance of SATA power connectors and are reducing the number of Molex power connectors.
• Green LED’s are a little on the bright side.  Pleasant looking, but bright.
• Caddies are mostly plastic. I am not sure if this a “con”, but some people like that metallic look and feel.
• Soft feel at end of caddy insertion and locking arm.

Would I recommend this hot swap module?  Let me put it this way.  Is anyone interested in an iStarUSA backplane hot swap module?  If I can get my  hands on some additional modules for review, I *may* find a module I like better.  But, for right now, this is a nice one from where I sit.

Company: Norco Technology Inc.

Model Reviewed: SS-500 5-in-3 bay hot swap module

Cost: Newegg price: $89.99