Jump to content

Pentium 4 NAS

TheRunningOtaku
By TheRunningOtaku
in Storage Devices
 Share
Posted

Hey guys,

I have an old Pentium PC, 3.5 Ghz or something around there, and i was wondering what I could do with it.

I'm thinking of putting FreeNAS or NAS4Free on it, and maybe 256mb/1GB of RAM or so, then running a 2x3TB RAID1 setup for safety. 

The link speed would be about 200 or 100 Mbps, depending on the speed of the LAN port.

Will be mostly used for nightly backups of documents, and occasionally playing media off of. 

Will probably run the server off a 4/8GB USB drive, unless someone there's a cheaper SSD or alternative.

 

Questions: 

Would FreeNAS or NAS4Free be better in a low-RAM system?

Would a Pentium 4 be good enough for such a system?

Will the USB drive get worn out, or slow down the performance of the PC?

Is 100mbps good enough for streaming video?

Remember to be a good citizen and choose a 'best answer' when your problem has been resolved!

(that way people know when a problem's been resolved)

Link to comment
https://linustechtips.com/topic/229029-pentium-4-nas/
Share on other sites
Link to post
Share on other sites
Posted

Hey guys,

I have an old Pentium PC, 3.5 Ghz or something around there, and i was wondering what I could do with it.

I'm thinking of putting FreeNAS or NAS4Free on it, and maybe 256mb/1GB of RAM or so, then running a 2x3TB RAID1 setup for safety. 

The link speed would be about 200 or 100 Mbps, depending on the speed of the LAN port.

Will be mostly used for nightly backups of documents, and occasionally playing media off of. 

Will probably run the server off a 4/8GB USB drive, unless someone there's a cheaper SSD or alternative.

 

Questions: 

Would FreeNAS or NAS4Free be better in a low-RAM system?

Would a Pentium 4 be good enough for such a system?

Will the USB drive get worn out, or slow down the performance of the PC?

Is 100mbps good enough for streaming video?

FreeNas usually requires 1GB of RAM per 1TB of storage. That is of course if you're using ZFS. UFS requires 2GB+ of RAM. So i mean if you can find the RAM, go for it, but i wouldn't recommend running it the way it is. Also with the streaming of content. I would recommend grabbing a 10/100/1000 NIC. 

Please quote/tag ( Found by typing @DarrenP) In all posts directed at me. I do not check my current content. 


Intel Core i7-4790K - Gigabyte Z97X-UD5H-BK - 16GB Corsair Vengeance Pro 1866Mhz - EVGA GTX 980 - 256GB MX100 - 2TB WD RED - 900D - H100I - Corsair HX1050 - DNS 320L 2x2TB Seagate Barracuda 

Link to comment
https://linustechtips.com/topic/229029-pentium-4-nas/#findComment-3134594
Share on other sites
Link to post
Share on other sites
Posted
  • Author

FreeNas usually requires 1GB of RAM per 1TB of storage. That is of course if you're using ZFS. UFS requires 2GB+ of RAM. So i mean if you can find the RAM, go for it, but i wouldn't recommend running it the way it is. Also with the streaming of content. I would recommend grabbing a 10/100/1000 NIC. 

Is it a requirement (as in would it not run without it?) I don't think I need the RAM caching, since it'll mostly be documents, and the network will probably be limited to 200mbps as well.

Does streaming 1080p require more than 100mbps? Might just do that if it's the case.

Remember to be a good citizen and choose a 'best answer' when your problem has been resolved!

(that way people know when a problem's been resolved)

Link to comment
https://linustechtips.com/topic/229029-pentium-4-nas/#findComment-3134658
Share on other sites
Link to post
Share on other sites
Posted

Is it a requirement (as in would it not run without it?) I don't think I need the RAM caching, since it'll mostly be documents, and the network will probably be limited to 200mbps as well.

Does streaming 1080p require more than 100mbps? Might just do that if it's the case.

Oh it will run without it. But it will run like absolute shit. Here's an reddit thread that i often reference: http://www.reddit.com/r/freenas/comments/21cpvq/any_real_danger_of_running_zfs_on_4gb_of_ram/

Please quote/tag ( Found by typing @DarrenP) In all posts directed at me. I do not check my current content. 


Intel Core i7-4790K - Gigabyte Z97X-UD5H-BK - 16GB Corsair Vengeance Pro 1866Mhz - EVGA GTX 980 - 256GB MX100 - 2TB WD RED - 900D - H100I - Corsair HX1050 - DNS 320L 2x2TB Seagate Barracuda 

Link to comment
https://linustechtips.com/topic/229029-pentium-4-nas/#findComment-3134678
Share on other sites
Link to post
Share on other sites
Posted
  • Author

Oh it will run without it. But it will run like absolute shit. Here's an reddit thread that i often reference: http://www.reddit.com/r/freenas/comments/21cpvq/any_real_danger_of_running_zfs_on_4gb_of_ram/

hmm, that's okay then. 

For curiosity's sake I'll probably put in the 256mb stick, and see how it runs, then put in 1GB-4GB if it needs more. 

Also, (sorry for the questions) what is the benefit of ZFS and would I be able to run without it?

Remember to be a good citizen and choose a 'best answer' when your problem has been resolved!

(that way people know when a problem's been resolved)

Link to comment
https://linustechtips.com/topic/229029-pentium-4-nas/#findComment-3135027
Share on other sites
Link to post
Share on other sites
Posted

hmm, that's okay then. 

For curiosity's sake I'll probably put in the 256mb stick, and see how it runs, then put in 1GB-4GB if it needs more. 

Also, (sorry for the questions) what is the benefit of ZFS and would I be able to run without it?

The benefits of ZFS, basically over all security. 

http://www.pcworld.com/article/2243748/turn-old-pc-hardware-into-a-killer-home-server-with-freenas.html

Please quote/tag ( Found by typing @DarrenP) In all posts directed at me. I do not check my current content. 


Intel Core i7-4790K - Gigabyte Z97X-UD5H-BK - 16GB Corsair Vengeance Pro 1866Mhz - EVGA GTX 980 - 256GB MX100 - 2TB WD RED - 900D - H100I - Corsair HX1050 - DNS 320L 2x2TB Seagate Barracuda 

Link to comment
https://linustechtips.com/topic/229029-pentium-4-nas/#findComment-3135140
Share on other sites
Link to post
Share on other sites
Posted
  • Author

Is the security increase really massive? Are there any other benefits of ZFS over UFS? I'm happy with less security since it'll only be at home.

e.g. is there a much higher possibility of losing data? I don't mind the 7mbps speed since right now moving stuff between computers I'm getting 2-3...

Thanks so much for helping :) Sorry if I'm a huge noob

Remember to be a good citizen and choose a 'best answer' when your problem has been resolved!

(that way people know when a problem's been resolved)

Link to comment
https://linustechtips.com/topic/229029-pentium-4-nas/#findComment-3135319
Share on other sites
Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
 Share
Go to topic listing Storage Devices

×