Are branded backplanes useable without specific controllers?

I can't find a disk enclosure which I like, so I'm going to build a custom one (if nothing else, that'll teach me to be picky...). I've got a few HP SAS backplanes lying about, but I'm wondering if they would require the "right" (ie HP branded) controller to work? They've got regular SFF-8484 connectors, so I should be ok, right?

EDIT: Found a mention about HP having standard connectors to their backplanes, but wiring them up differently. This sounds like exactly the thing I was worried about. Does anyone have more information regarding this? (Reference)

Solution 1:

Well, I'd first ask why you're unable to find a disk enclosure that suits you. What's missing? I tend to use HP enclosures like the D2600 and D2700 for storage projects. However, many storage solutions utilize Supermicro's offerings.

For the most part, you shouldn't have any problems mating controllers to backplanes using multi-lane SAS connectors. I use the HP enclosures with HP and LSI controllers for ZFS storage and haven't had any issues. This works well for multipath SAS and I've been able to get LED and slot identification to work.

Solution 2:

I remember building a storage server with a minimal budget - I got a supermicro case (with sas/sata backplane), used a supermicro motherboard, dell perc raid controller and hitachi enterprise grade sata drives.

It pretty much worked - could set up the raid and use it fine, could see the activity leds blinking away although it wouldn't show the led for a failed drive, and one drive dropped offline for no good reason at all (although to be fair I can't say for certain whether it was actually due to dell controllers preferring dell certified/supplied drives).