Silent Headless Linux Server (upgrade)

[denarced]

Hi,

I'd love to hear your thoughts and suggestions on my new server that I have been planning for over a year. I'll first describe what I currently have and why I want to upgrade, and then I'll express my current plans. If the background information isn't all that interesting then feel free to jump to Aim chapter.

Status Quo
I currently have a server that carries cheap parts and a stack HDDs since it's used only for storage. It's running on Linux and the only criteria was to get a server with fairly little money and a lot of storage space that can be expanded later on. I use LVM (sort of a software RAID 0) in order to be able to do just that: add more HDDs without a hassle.

Motivation to Upgrade
There are a few reasons. First, the server is housed inside a Nexus Edge case: it's huge and ugly. Second, I'd like to make it even more silent than what it is. Third, I didn't encrypt the disks when I setup the server and switching to use LUKS (full disk encryption used primarily on Linux) requires a clean installation: it's a nice opportunity to upgrade. Fourth, my backup setup is fundamentally flawed: I'm housing the backup inside the same server and therefore I am protected only against HDD failure and certain types of mistakes. Fifth, I'd like the server to consume less power. This is a minor point but I'll keep it in for now.

Aim
My aim is to have the following:

1. Silent storage server
2. Enough muscle to support software development and/or related activities (Virtual Box, Jenkins, databases)
3. Decrease the rate with which dust gathers
4. Minimal power consumption
5. Full disk encryption
6. Storage space should be expandable, I currently have ~4TB of data
7. Cost should be less than 3000€ in Finland

The performance of the storage disks isn't a priority but with my initial plan it shouldn't be a problem. I'll also move my folding and Tomcat instances to the server. They're currently running on my old laptop. I have a separate plan to take a weekly offsite backup.

Parts
The list so far:

• CPU cooler: Big Shuriken 2 Rev. B (review)
• Case fans: 3 * Noiseblocker M12P (review)
• OS SSD: Samsung 120GB 850 EVO
• Case: Fractal Design Define R5 (review)
• PSU: Seasonic 400W P-400FL (review)
• RAM: Crucial Ballistix Sport 16GB 1600MHz
• Mobo: ASUS Z97-PRO(Wi-Fi ac) (Asus site)
• CPU: Intel Core i7-4785T

The components that have some kind of effect on noise levels were selected because they have been tested by www.silentpcreview.com to be fairly silent. I have some doubts about the PSU: Silent Mike has suggested in some of his articles that PSU isn't much of a noise source and therefore I'm thinking that having a fanless PSU might merely introduce a risk of over heating while providing little benefit on the silence front. I originally selected some other cheaper RAM but because of the CPU cooler, I swapped to the current low profile one.

The Plan
I'm thinking of having two fans at the front of the case to pull air in and one in the back to push air out. This might help to reduce the amout of dust inside the case. I'll initially have three 3TB WD Reds and the SSD in the server. I'm still considering whether I should go with RAID 5 or just continue using LVM. On the other hand RAID 5 would protect me during the week when changes are introduced but it's easier to add more HDDs to LVM. I haven't yet decided whether I'll use Ubuntu Server 14.04 LTS or 15.04 but it'll be one of 'em. Then I'll access the files via NFS or Samba.

[denarced]

Wow: my plan is perfect for no one has found anything to comment on