storage server build

[vib_whore]

hello everyone, so i wanted to build a storage server for my office. i'm a total rookie so i dont know shit. however, i did some research and kind of have an idea but i still some help. should i use an old pc tower to build a sever or buy a NAS? if i use an old pc tower to build a server, how do i make it as a cloud storage server? im going to be using atleast 7-8 1tb drives so i how do i format them all in RAID 5? Also, is windows server os better or os X? i have alot of questions so any suggestions are welcome! 

 

[Crunchy Dragon]

-Moved to Servers and NAS-

 

I wouldn't use Windows or OSX for a server, I'd instead use FreeNAS or some Linux distribution.

Using a PC tower would work, but expanding down the road will be harder than if you hunted down an actual server box that has 10 or so HDD bays.

[vib_whore]

@Crunchy Dragon why would you use windows or os X for server? just curious. my main use is going to backing up emails and exel spreadsheets. 

[Crunchy Dragon]

5 minutes ago, vib_whore said:

@Crunchy Dragon why would you use windows or os X for server? just curious. my main use is going to backing up emails and exel spreadsheets. 

Windows likes to update on its own, and OSX is basically impossible to get a legitimate copy of.

 

Linux is free and easy, FreeNAS is basically the best storage server OS there is.

[vib_whore]

@Crunchy Dragon will using freenas also allow me to use this server as a cloud server?