Istar D-300 3U server

We would like to thank Nigel and Istar for the chance to do this review.
The D-300 is a 3u server case that is built like you would want one sturdy.
It features some neat options like a fan controller upgrade(optional).
We are using a matx mother board with a gig of ram as a test for functions and space.
We also are using a Linux (Ta Fusion Migration Server)as our operating system .
So this is really a dual test one of the server's features and one of Ta Fusions product.

Features and description below:

Model No. D-300 Storm Series

5.25" Bay 4x 5.25" (if you need more internal bay - iStorm7 Series )
3.5" Bay 2x 3.5" 2x 3.5" (internal)
M/B factor 12" x 9.6" ATX M/B
Switches : Power ON/OFF, System & Alarm Reset
Indicators : LEDs for Power ON/OFF, HDD, Fan & Alarm
Air Filter : Removable & Washable
Fan & Temp. Detecting Board For System Environment Monitoring
(Optional )TC-ISF08
Ventilation 1 x 60mm Ball Bearing Fan ( Standard )
2x80mm;1x 60mm Ball Bearing Fans ( Optional )
Material & Security : 1.2mm SECC Zinc-Coated Steel (Japan Made)
Both Front Doors (Aluminum) Are Lockable
Dimension 19"(W) x 20"(D) x5.25"(H)
Front Access Connector : USB 2.0 Port
I/O Ports Stardard ATX Port
Safety Standard: FCC/CE to chassis and FCC/CE/UL/TUV to power supply
Power Supply I-Star 3U 300w/400w/460w
I-Star 2U 350w/400w/460w Redundant power supply

bezel:

RED- DD-300-DR
BLUE- DD-300-DBlue
SILVER- DD-300-DS
GOLDEN -DD-300-DG
You can optionally get a riser board to make your full size cards run along the motherboard if space is not enough for your cards.

Product Shots:

Testing/In Use:

System specs:

Main board:
Biostar M7VIG 400 ver 7.3 via KM266 Pro/Vt8237,
Socket A Video,
6-channel audio
LAN FSB 333
DDR333 (by 2 )
ATA-133
USB 2.0 MATX
(Combo CPU + board)
From :Computer Parts Unleashed (call to find out price 632-1188).
1gig DDR
LG DVD +/- DL RW drive (temp)
Ta Fusion Migration Server(Soho Server)
1-4gig hard drive (yes it's small but it is for testing and this is Linux you know)

When we got this unit and picked it up in it's rather well packaged for shipping box
The unit was shipped to us from the states in a dual box with the inner box containing the server covered in Styrofoam to protect it more and all the books etc.

What's in the box besides the server case?
The unit came with a 300 watt power supply so you get the power cord.
PCI slot covers, 3-zip ties, bag of motherboard mounts and screws, 2 keys, Manual.

This is the first server case we have seen in person and had access to with out being chased away for playing with it. So we were happy to do so and took our time.
The top of the case after removing 2 screws one on each side slides back then raises up to be removed completely.

You get to see every thing from a top down view and get to se the space it has in this unit.
The 5 ¼ 'drive bay plus 3 ½ 'come out as a unit there are two of them.
They are mounted to a rubber mount which helps reduce drive noise and vibration.
The hard drives are mounted in-between the 5 ¼ units on its own mounting system.
You slide a metal plate over the hard disk then reattach to the case with provided screw.
The system is pretty well thought out and just works.
Our little test system setup wouldn't stretch it to its max or any thing but would show us how it all works.

In use we left the pci slot covers off but this was for quick testing we will be using this unit in as our server to further find out if there are any issues of heat which we do not se so far being a problem with a 1.8 gig cpu and one hard disk plus a cd-rom drive.

The system and case is one of the easiest to work with even with the cross brace,
which in the owner's book shows can be used as a pci card support.
I put in the mother board matx though and had it setup with and mounted in seconds.
For a full size motherboard it might be harder to do so with out removing the crossbar brace.
This case isn't for a really big server you can convert the unused 3 ½ 'and 5 ¼ "hard drive bays that are not used into hot swap an extra storage but even then it is a small server unit which it is made for.
This unit we could see as a media server in the basement or even a small thin client server under Linux another project for me to try (thanks for more ideals K-man, André).

The case is all steel besides the front filtered doors which are a rather nice option.
The front drive bay covers have venting to them (holes) an allow air to go in.
The drive covers are painted to match the case and are made of steel also.
They are very sturdy. You must remove the drive cage to remove or put them back on.
This system may tick off some users; but in the server market how many times do you need access to these with out using hot swap bays.
That way you can replace failed or backup data/drives much easier then current setup.
For the modder it would be a nice mod to make it easy for them to upgrade etc
(Bay bus anyone).

Also our setting up the front USB ports was an issue we couldn't get it to work.
This might have been us and the motherboard.
We like the fact that the box that comes with the pci slot covers and the screws has a diagram of the USB hook up on it an makes it clearer to you what's what.
The front panel status led's and key lock work well and add to the style of the case.
They are easy to read and tell you all information you may need.

But you wouldn't be bringing this thing to the LAN with you.
This thing full even empty is a nice bit of lugging to do.
Compared to our current cases this thing is a lot more to carry around.
I've only just of late had to carry an Antec case which was weighed more than this unit.
I try to keep my cases light and use a bigger hard drive (current 160 gig) for me.
I would like to setup a server with this unit for home storage and the thin client project but this would have to wait until later.
I find this case and its feature very good.
The company even recommends another unit if you need more storage.
This is a great unit for a smaller Internet service provider, store or home user that just needs a small server.
I mounted the unit in a stock end table type unit on a shelf and it looked like it was at home there even though the shelf unit was white.

The 300 watt PSU that came with the unit seems very well built further testing in use will tell the tale though.
I look forward to seeing more items from this company and just like its product thus far.

Pros:

3u server case at a great price $180.00 USD from IStar direct
Easy to work on
Sturdy and built to last
Low profile
Great for media server/ HTPC based in basement etc
Front USB option

Cons:

The having to remove the drive bay unit to remove face plates will bug some users as well as in use upgrades etc.
Front USB hook up wouldn't work (might have been us)

We will be testing this unit and its current setup in use and
will update if anything further happens to come up.
Amigaman2 says "See ya "