Advice on adding to my server setup

[Sinistertaco]

Good afternoon! First let me start off with what my goals are. I want to have a big library of media to share with a few family members, have a home assistant setup, and run all of my networking. That should cover the general needs. With that said, I currently have a Dream Machine Pro Max with a 16tb harddrive running 3 cameras, a Synology D224+ Nas with 32tb of almost full storage, a 16 port switch, and a eufy homebase. I also have a full size server rack, but it is currently not being used. Also not sure if relevant but I have 2gb internet from AT&T coming from fiber to their modem. Now the first issue is the Nas being full, and it not being able to be expanded. I moved plex off of it to my computer, because it wasn't able to run it smoothly (I have since upgraded the ram on the nas but still.) I'm looking to build a expandable nas to work alongside the synology if possible, I don't want it seperated if it can be avoided. With that said my understanding is the thing I need next is a computer to act as a fulltime server, though I am definitely confused about how to infinitely expand storage going that route. Browsing marketplace I found this for $75. I apologize for formatting as I am just copying the description.

 

Dell Poweredge R420 1U Server SN # FD9PMN1 Very Clean 2x Intel(R) Xeon(R) CPU E5620 @ 2.40GHz, 16 cores 1x 8gb PC3-10600R Memory = 8gb Total H310 Raid Controller RAID 10 1x 500GB 3.5″ SSD Hard Drive 1x 550w Power Supplies Linux Server 20.04 Installed Includes 2x slider rails

 

Off the bat it seems like a great deal, but I'm not familiar with the type of CPU, The upgradeability of the RAM, how easy it would be to throw in storage, and that PSU seems very light. Obviously I want something that's not going to slurp electricity but for the price this seems good. Any advice on what I need, or if this would be perfect for me? It's running Linux which I'm not familiar with so a learning curb will be here. Thank you in advance.

[jaslion]

21 minutes ago, Sinistertaco said:

Dell Poweredge R420 1U S

Hot fucking garbage. This stuff is FREE as it's too old to be usefull. It's from 2010 do not buy.

 

You can just get a regular desktop and slap in a bunch of drives. Then call it good. Can run something like truenas for the os and it is good.

 

Also a 1yu server usually only allowed 2-3 3.5 inch drives or 6 2.5inch drives. It is also INCREDIBLY loud because it uses server fans.

 

For your use case a basic desktop new or used is good enough + a lsi sas card (more sata ports) + case that has a lot of space for drives is all you need. Something a bit newer but doesn't have to be powerfull a simple i5 6400 or up is already PLENTY

[Sinistertaco]

21 minutes ago, jaslion said:

Hot fucking garbage. This stuff is FREE as it's too old to be usefull. It's from 2010 do not buy.

 

You can just get a regular desktop and slap in a bunch of drives. Then call it good. Can run something like truenas for the os and it is good.

 

Also a 1yu server usually only allowed 2-3 3.5 inch drives or 6 2.5inch drives. It is also INCREDIBLY loud because it uses server fans.

 

For your use case a basic desktop new or used is good enough + a lsi sas card (more sata ports) + case that has a lot of space for drives is all you need. Something a bit newer but doesn't have to be powerfull a simple i5 6400 or up is already PLENTY

Long term, I want it to be mounted in the rack, but I believe there are mounts for most? Cases. Thank you though, I won't get this.

[jaslion]

5 minutes ago, Sinistertaco said:

Long term, I want it to be mounted in the rack, but I believe there are mounts for most? Cases. Thank you though, I won't get this.

Is it in a room that will block a VERY LOUD vacuum? Cuz thats what these are. A dream machine is WHISPER quiet compared to these.

 

If you are getting a rack server opt for a 4u storage one. Those tend to have like 12 bays and also preferably something more recent.

[Sinistertaco]

24 minutes ago, jaslion said:

Is it in a room that will block a VERY LOUD vacuum? Cuz thats what these are. A dream machine is WHISPER quiet compared to these.

 

If you are getting a rack server opt for a 4u storage one. Those tend to have like 12 bays and also preferably something more recent.

This is very much subject to change, but long term the server would be next door to my house in a garage/shop. If it wasn't extremely expensive I'd love to have a similar setup to Linus and have the computers mounted as well so everything is seperate from the house. As of now though, the server rack would be within hearing range of my office.

[jaslion]

37 minutes ago, Sinistertaco said:

This is very much subject to change, but long term the server would be next door to my house in a garage/shop. If it wasn't extremely expensive I'd love to have a similar setup to Linus and have the computers mounted as well so everything is seperate from the house. As of now though, the server rack would be within hearing range of my office.

Yeah no no can do there for a used server basically.

 

As for whats the budget here? Can do quite a bit with not too much really

[Sinistertaco]

4 hours ago, jaslion said:

Yeah no no can do there for a used server basically.

 

As for whats the budget here? Can do quite a bit with not too much really

Ideally just a couple hundred for now, and adding and upgrading in the future. That's why the price on that system was attractive.

[jaslion]

8 hours ago, Sinistertaco said:

Ideally just a couple hundred for now, and adding and upgrading in the future. That's why the price on that system was attractive.

Pretty big ripoff honestly for that system as its actual ewaste.

 

Thing with buying cheap and upgrading later is that you basically would need to start over again. Better to get a proper baseline first.

 

Id say list out what the device HAS to do now and 5 years into the future. No maybes or nice to haves only things it HAS to do.

 

You can do a lot for little but its important to list what are NEEDS so it can be optimized for that.

 

As is rack servers with server fans would be out of the question due to noise mostly. However you can get a desktop for now and then later transfer it to q rack case or replace when the noise of a aerver is a non issue.

[Sinistertaco]

4 hours ago, jaslion said:

Pretty big ripoff honestly for that system as its actual ewaste.

 

Thing with buying cheap and upgrading later is that you basically would need to start over again. Better to get a proper baseline first.

 

Id say list out what the device HAS to do now and 5 years into the future. No maybes or nice to haves only things it HAS to do.

 

You can do a lot for little but its important to list what are NEEDS so it can be optimized for that.

 

As is rack servers with server fans would be out of the question due to noise mostly. However you can get a desktop for now and then later transfer it to q rack case or replace when the noise of a aerver is a non issue.

Everything I listed before is what it will need to do, the most important thing right now is more storage, and being able to work with my existing synology nas.

[jaslion]

22 minutes ago, Sinistertaco said:

Everything I listed before is what it will need to do, the most important thing right now is more storage, and being able to work with my existing synology nas.

Ok so basically generic random ass modern as possible desktop that has a decent bit of sata ports and call it quits.

 

Could opt for a 6th gen or newer intel desktop possibly a retired custom build or look for some parta combo's. I5's are basically free now today for those.

 

Id have q look around for soemthing that spec obliterates the dell here