Noob server/storage questions?

[AS353]

 

Hi everyone,

I am do some research into my options for my future storage issue.I would like to have something on the network which would allow me to store my media, photos and vidoes and be able to back this data up. 

I am currently looking at NAS and old servers. I have experience with computer hardware and have a good idea what NAS devices do, but I dont know the full capabilities of used  servers like this one:

https://www.ebay.ie/itm/DELL-POWEREDGE-R720-2U-RACK-SERVER-2x-E5-2640-16GB-PERC-H710-MINI/254577609656

 

New NAS drives can be as much and more than the above item. The above has alot of expandability by way of storage, which make me want to learn more about this as an option. 

 

My current knowledge is that if I get a NAS, my data will be in one place and I would have to get something else to back it up so the info is in 2 places. 

Am I right in thinking that if I had something like the dell that I would be able to have, for example, 2 drives as my storage and then another 2 drives(within the same machine) as backup of that storage?

Or is the fact that the backup is on the same machine a bad thing?

 

Only starting to go down the rabbit hole, so any wisdom on my current / future situation would be great. 

Main goal, increase storage and have an ability to back up data. 

 

Thanks!

 

[GOTSpectrum]

This is a great well written resource for one of the better data storage methods.

 

https://www.nakivo.com/blog/3-2-1-backup-rule-efficient-data-protection-strategy/

[mineblaster]

remeber most 2u server humm along and some even scream so noise can be a factor with old server somtimes so loud it will give your vacum cleaner a run for its money

 

also how will these drive grouped together? drive mirroring or parity with bigger drive groups

using the hardware controller in the server if you get or doing it in the operating system (freeenas unraid or storage space via windows)

 

and how much data you need to store and how much you need in the future as changing it when its half full can lead to bad situations and data loss

[AS353]

Was going to use something like freenas or a windows based option as I do not have experience/much knowledge of the hardware controller option. 

As far as storage, not sure. I am starting up a personal training business and would like to create a video library of exercises and instructional videos for clients. In the beginning it wont be too big but over time I can see it growing. I have started to make some and a bit of work goes into making them so keeping them safe and not having to remake them, due to unlucky circumstances, is a goal. 

 

I am open to options at this point as I have some time and will keep looking. Must do a bit more looking into what each option is capable of and go from there I guess. 

 

 

[JeannieFawkes]

The problem I see with using that server as solution for both storage and backup is that the only way to achive that goal would be a RAID 1 configuration. That way you´ll have 4 drive for storage and the other 4 drives for mirroring. The issue is that if the server goes down, you have to purchase another server and set up the RAID again. Im not a fan of store the data and the backup on the same machine, could be a pain in the ass on the long term. And what said mineblaster is true, I worked with the previous version of that server "Dell PowerEdge R710" the noise of that beast is overkill. 

[BloodKnight7]

Noise in the R720 is definitely leaps and bounds better than in its older, louder and hugrier R710 brother. Generation 12th servers where a big improvement over Generation 11th servers. Just make sure to update your iDRAC, BIOS and hardware firmware through Lifecycle controller.

 

Now if you want massive storage space you could try finding the model R720 xd which would hold up to 26 2.5 inch drives or depending on the model up to 12 3.5 inch + 2 2.5 inch drives.

 

Another advantage is that you can put 2 SD cards in the server and install a hypervisor like Free ESXi (or any other of your choice) from where to boot up and in theory you are saving hard drives there, create a RAID1 VD for your OS datastores and then create serveral RAID 5/6 data stores for your NAS and other applications. You can spin up a VM with freenas and maybe a couple of windows/linux servers, your available RAM and number of cores are the limit  !