IBM server x336 modification SCSI to SATA

Few months ago I bought some older IBM servers. Two cheap iBM x336 with 4 GB RAM and two SCSI disks.

After first look I decided to use ona server as my new server with two 146 GB SCSI disks and FreeBSD installed and second server modify for two SATA disks. SCSI disks are great but more expensive and lower capacity then SATA disks.

I'd like to explain how to modify IBM X336 SCSI version and using it with SATA disks. During modification there was many obstacles that I need to solve.

Requirements

1. Minimum case modification


2. SATA disks must fit into original SCSI bays


3. HotSwap (no server or case manipulation for replacing disks)


4. Disk power and activity indication

HOW TO

SCSI bays perfect work with SATA drives. No case parts blocking power and data connectors. It means no hard case modification is required.

1. Remove drive and CDROM bay

I found short video on IBM site about removing CDROM. It helps you how to disassemble drives bay.

2. Remove SCSI backplane

We need to remove SCSI backplane to have some space for sata and power connectors.

3. Remove plastic

On the back side of the Drives bay there is black plastic material on the metal. We need to remove that plastic, because it makes distance from disks and connectors. We must get our new SATA backplane closely to drive connectors.

4. Mount our SATA drives

Now it's time to mount our SATA into bay. We can see how it fit into bay and how align our new SATA backplane.

5. SATA backplane

As I mentioned above, this server was realy cheap, about 50$. So we need cheap parts. I checked many vendors, then I found some cheap backplane on DealExtreme.



This is part cost 3.78$ and DE ships everything for free.

With drives mounted in ( I used old broken drives, only for measurement ) we can align backplane and use some glue pistol to hold sata backplane in place. Drives mounted in nicely hold our backplanes in place until glue gets cold.

6. Power connector

I modified original SCSI power connector. I did some measurements and I discover that Grey cables are GROUND, Red are 12V and black 5V.

I've cuted off cables from original connector and connect with MOLEX power connector from old ATX power supply.





 

So I had one MOLEX power connector. I must split it between two SATA backplanes. I've created my own splitter but it's not problem to buy it.

 

7. Assemble all parts together

Last part was assemble all parts together. Bay to server chassis, disk to bay etc. Connect power and SATA cables.



 

 

 

 

 

Now I have IBM x336 with 2 HotSwap SATA drives. Whole modification cost about 15$.

I've read many forums about chances of modificate x336 to SATA but no HOW TO. I hope this will be useful for someone who has this beautiful peace of HW and want some upgrade.

There is only SATA 1.0 on board, so it's possible to buy some PCI SATA 2.0 controller to speed it up.