Media server/NAS/backup build

[Mad5cout]

Greetings all,

 

I want to build a small ITX box that serves a few purposes at once.  This is what I would like to do with it:

1.  Run a plex server and rip all my DVDs to it so I can stream them to multiple devices and get them out of my living room.
2.  Have a file server with mostly family pics and videos on there that could be accessed remotely.
3.  Have an extra drive or two in there for back-ups of my other PCs in the house.

I already have a 500GB SSD for the OS and perhaps to store the DVDs on.  But I am thinking I will need a bigger drive or a second drive specifically for the family pictures and videos.

I will then need at least one more drive to back up the first two drives and also other machines in the house - each with 1tb drives on them.

My question is about recommendations for the drive configuration.  I was trying to figure out whether it was smart to have the backup in a raid 1 or not - not using Raid 1 as a backup but having the backup itself as two drives in raid 1.  But then I was thinking that was unnecessary.  Primarily, I am looking for the best way to keep my family photos and stuff safe.  I also don't like the idea of online backups but understand the risks of not having one in place.

[Mad5cout]

I should mention that the case has enough room for 3 SSDs and 3 HDDs, so there is a healthy amount of flexibility.

[Mad5cout]

Sorry one more question:  If I do use raid for part of this box, is it worth it to get a raid card or just throw a gpu in there?

[Electronics Wizardy]

26 minutes ago, Mad5cout said:

Greetings all,

 

I want to build a small ITX box that serves a few purposes at once.  This is what I would like to do with it:

1.  Run a plex server and rip all my DVDs to it so I can stream them to multiple devices and get them out of my living room.
2.  Have a file server with mostly family pics and videos on there that could be accessed remotely.
3.  Have an extra drive or two in there for back-ups of my other PCs in the house.

I already have a 500GB SSD for the OS and perhaps to store the DVDs on.  But I am thinking I will need a bigger drive or a second drive specifically for the family pictures and videos.

I will then need at least one more drive to back up the first two drives and also other machines in the house - each with 1tb drives on them.

My question is about recommendations for the drive configuration.  I was trying to figure out whether it was smart to have the backup in a raid 1 or not - not using Raid 1 as a backup but having the backup itself as two drives in raid 1.  But then I was thinking that was unnecessary.  Primarily, I am looking for the best way to keep my family photos and stuff safe.  I also don't like the idea of online backups but understand the risks of not having one in place.

Id just have one large volume.

 

How much space do your vides take up. Id get one of these for now https://www.amazon.com/Elements-Desktop-Hard-Drive-WDBWLG0080HBK-NESN/dp/B07D5V2ZXD/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1549236714&sr=8-2&keywords=8tb+my+book

 

Then have a backup on anouther drive. Raid isn't a backup. Then get more dirves later on.

 

 

23 minutes ago, Mad5cout said:

Sorry one more question:  If I do use raid for part of this box, is it worth it to get a raid card or just throw a gpu in there?

what os are you using?

[Mad5cout]

I am certain that I don't want to go with a single large volume because I do want a separate backup for my gaming rig, my wife's computer, and the server's drive with all of the movies and photos on there.  That said, that 8tb external may be the way to go to fill that task rather than it being an internal on the server rig, as there are risks that come with that (like if that machine fries for some reason, everything will be gone).  I am surprised such a large external drive is so cheap, honestly.

I also already said I understand that raid is not a backup and that isn't what I was suggesting.

I would most likely be using Windows 10 because that is what I know the best.