HP MicroServer

01 Background

The HP Microserver is a powerful, inexpensive, compact server tower that typically supports 4 Drives in the Bottom Bays, but with 2 PCI-e card slots available on the motherboard, the computer is capable of connecting many more HDD's.

02 Design

Most people have used a Nexus Doubletwin, but looking at the price, lack of modification, shipping time / prices, I decided to design my own bracket. You can optionally use O-Rings, or insulated standoffs of some sort to minimize vibration from the disks (Home Depot / Lowes)

Mine came out to about $1.60 for both halves, and the bracket uses the HP Microserver’s included ODD Screws on the hinged door. (15% Infill Hexagonal, 3 bottom, 4 top, 3 perimeters, PLA) This is much cheaper than other comparable alternatives!

I designed this a little while ago, just got around to posting it, I believe it’s a 5mm gap between thick hard drives. I used 3 TB Drives in the pictures, which are 3 platter disks. They’re pretty thick, so this bracket should fit most, if not all, hard drives. My measurements are in the pictures as well if anybody would like to check theirs.

Pictured on my MicroServer, I have 4 Drives in the bottom bays, 2 in the top bays, and a 2.5” OS drive from an older laptop underneath the ODD Bay. Totaling 6 Data disks, and 1 OS Disk. I have two cards on the HP Proliant pictured above:

1. Syba 2-Port USB 3.0 and 2-Port SATA III PCIe 2.0 x4 SD_PEX50055 Green, Grey from Amazon ($40.01). I use this on the full size PCI-e channel on the outboard edge of the motherboard.

2. VANTEC 4-Port SuperSpeed USB 3.0 PCIe Host Card Model UGT-PC341 from Newegg (24$). I use this one on the smaller size PCI-e channel on the inboard edge of the motherboard.

Using these two cards I have support for 6x External USB 3.0 Disks, 6x Internal 3.5” Data Disks, 1x2.5” OS Disk, 1x ESATA Disk, and 6x USB 2.0 Disks. This gives me ~ 12 Full Speed Data Disks before I need up upgraded cases / systems.

I recommend upgrading to the latest modded BIOS so you get full performance on the on-board SATA port on the Motherboard. Also uploading the 2.5” OS HDD Under ODD Tray I designed.