Software recommendations

[Jonathan_01]

I am getting a NAS second hand (specs below), pre-installed on it is windows server 2016. I will mainly use the NAS for backups, storing my photos (getting close to 1Tb) and extra file storage. Should i stick with the windows server 2016 or switch to another software like freeNAS?

 

Specs

Dell PowerEdge T320 Tower Server

CPU: Intel E5-2430v2 Xeon Six-Core 2.5GHz CPU

RAM: 48Gb DDR3

Storage: 2x2TB 3.5” with 2 bays free

Networking: Broadcom 5720 1Gbps Dual Port Network Card (2 x Ports)

Other stuff:

      Fixed Single Power Supply (1xPSU)

      iDRAC7 Basic Management Controller

      PERC H310 RAID Controller -

                               H310 RAID Levels: 0, 1, 5, 10, 50

 

Thanks

[Electronics Wizardy]

WHat os do you want to use? They have there pluses and minuses. why not install a few and try them out?

 

Unraid is good for a simple nas, windows server does some things very well aswell.

 

 

[Dutch_Master]

Be aware that this machine will use more power then a modern NAS would. Consider using a timer device to switch it off when not in use (like bedtime hours) or use a WoL function to waken the NAS via the network when you need it and have it shutdown automagically when idle for a set amount of time.

[Windows7ge]

You're going to need to be careful if you go the FreeNAS or other Linux type route. Some File Systems like ZFS do not respond well to being used with RAID controllers. You would have to flash your H310 to IT mode.

 

Otherwise I'd say it really comes down to what you're personally after. If you're looking for something that Windows Server either isn't or can't offer that Linux distros can then it may be worthwhile to make the switch.

[Electronics Wizardy]

5 minutes ago, Windows7ge said:

You're going to need to be careful if you go the FreeNAS or other Linux type route. Some File Systems like ZFS do not respond well to being used with RAID controllers. You would have to flash your H310 to IT mode.

 

Otherwise I'd say it really comes down to what you're personally after. If you're looking for something that Windows Server either isn't or can't offer that Linux distros can then it may be worthwhile to make the switch.

With all the h310's I have used the will present the disks to the os by default, and have raid that can be used by if needed. THey do basically full passthrough with smart data, so for most uses, you don't need to reflash it IT mode.

[Jonathan_01]

Thanks for all the advice already, will look into what has been said

If the RAID controller will be an issue I can always remove it, I did not build the server or chose the parts it is second hand from a family members small businesses that were going to get rid of it.

He has said that his IT person will change it at all if i want so I could ask him to add or remove hardware

I am totally new to servers so i do not know the different functions of the different OSs, it will just be used as a home NAS for photos and document backups, and it is quite likly that i will expand the storage later on. I do want to be able to access the server when I am not home, with all of this in mind what OS recommendations are there?

Thanks angain

[doommood]

On 3/7/2020 at 5:01 PM, Jonathan_01 said:

I am getting a NAS second hand (specs below), pre-installed on it is windows server 2016. I will mainly use the NAS for backups, storing my photos (getting close to 1Tb) and extra file storage. Should i stick with the windows server 2016 or switch to another software like freeNAS?

Is the server licensed? Is it Standard License?

The very first my guess was Windows Server + Hyper-V + (Ubuntu Server VM + ZoL). Another option is FreeNAS VM.
https://www.ixsystems.com/community/threads/running-freenas-as-a-vm-off-usb-or-ssd.69657/

 

For Backups you could use Duplicacy installed on your devices and configured to store data onto your NAS. Other options are Veeam and Rclone. All are free for use.
https://www.vmwareblog.org/single-cloud-enough-secure-backups-5-cool-cross-cloud-solutions-consider/
https://helpcenter.veeam.com/docs/agentforwindows/userguide/backup_job_share.html?ver=40

 

22 hours ago, Jonathan_01 said:

I do want to be able to access the server when I am not home, with all of this in mind what OS recommendations are there?

Thanks angain

In to so you can use VPN such as tinc and SoftEther VPN. Both can be installed onto a VM or aside Windows Server host.