[mdlug] Time to build a new server

[Robert Adkins II]

I am starting the initial planning process for building the next fileserver
here.
 
This one will be built using actual "server" hardward, as opposed to the
light server/big bad desktop hardware that I have been using.
 
My intention is to have one internal drive containing the OS, configuration,
etc., etc. and a series of externally accessible Hotplug drives. Two will be
in a RAID 1 set containing partitions separating the various datashares. The
remaining hot plug bays will be used for nightly/bi-nightly or even just
weekly back-up purposes.
 
Anyone here have familiarity with particular server mainboard manufacturers
that support such a setup on Linux out of the box with a default kernel?
(Yeah, I can easily build a kernel, but if I don't have to in order to get
things up and running, why should I?)
 
Thank you,
Rob