Mad Science... HexOS on the Framework 16

[Mawson]

So I was thinking, it could be a fun project to build a storage module for the Framework 16 that goes in the same spot as the dedicated GPU.

This is the Expansion Shell module. If I'm doing my math right there should be enough space between the fans to house at least two, possibly four 2280 m.2 drives.

Hypothetically one could boot off the 2230 slot on the main board, and leave the onboard 2280 available to use for storage.
That would get us to the minimum of 3 drives for ZFS. Using 8TB drives we would end up with a 16TB pool.
If we can fit 4 drives in the expansion shell, then we're looking at 32TB!

The expansion bay has an x8 interface, so that would give each of the drives out there a x2 connection. Though I don't imagine it supports bifurcation, so there would likely need to be a PCIe switch chip. 

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Aaand after writing all of this I've just discovered that FW has a dual m.2 reference design on for on their github! 🤣 So it's totally feasible, at least for 2 additional drives.
https://github.com/FrameworkComputer/ExpansionBay/tree/main/Dual SSD Reference Design

Getting 4 in there might not be possible without changing the thickness or other dimensions of the module...

But anyway, I hope some of you enjoy the solution looking for a problem that this ADHD tangent of mine has created. LOL

[Sonic]

Please keep us posted. I love to see the progress of your project.

[Mobius]

maybe some of the space limitations can be overcome with a custom 3d printed case?

[Mawson]

4 hours ago, Sonic said:

Please keep us posted. I love to see the progress of your project.

Unless I become fabulously wealthy soon the idea phase is about as far as it is likely to go 😆

42 minutes ago, Mobius said:

maybe some of the space limitations can be overcome with a custom 3d printed case?

Oh for sure!  I'm sure it's possible to modify the oem expansion shell to allow more space. Even just a bit of thickness would likely allow for drives to be mounted on both sides of the PCB.

[ubergeek]

You're a mad man

[Mawson]

51 minutes ago, ubergeek said:

You're a mad man

And proud of it! 🤣

[Dylan]

On 2/9/2025 at 1:01 AM, Mawson said:

So I was thinking, it could be a fun project to build a storage module for the Framework 16 that goes in the same spot as the dedicated GPU.

This is the Expansion Shell module. If I'm doing my math right there should be enough space between the fans to house at least two, possibly four 2280 m.2 drives.

Hypothetically one could boot off the 2230 slot on the main board, and leave the onboard 2280 available to use for storage.
That would get us to the minimum of 3 drives for ZFS. Using 8TB drives we would end up with a 16TB pool.
If we can fit 4 drives in the expansion shell, then we're looking at 32TB!

The expansion bay has an x8 interface, so that would give each of the drives out there a x2 connection. Though I don't imagine it supports bifurcation, so there would likely need to be a PCIe switch chip. 

------------------------------------------------------------------

Aaand after writing all of this I've just discovered that FW has a dual m.2 reference design on for on their github! 🤣 So it's totally feasible, at least for 2 additional drives.
https://github.com/FrameworkComputer/ExpansionBay/tree/main/Dual SSD Reference Design

Getting 4 in there might not be possible without changing the thickness or other dimensions of the module...

But anyway, I hope some of you enjoy the solution looking for a problem that this ADHD tangent of mine has created. LOL

I love these kinds of posts - even if it is theoretical it may be just the thing that sparks anothers curiosity and ingenuity. That's innovation.