Suggestions for Home Server.

[Nbohanes]

Hi everyone.

I am wanting to either build a home server or buy a Nas box and fill it with drives.
My budget is around $1000 (Australian).
I was thinking of building my own using Windows 8 Storage Spaces, or a software Raid 5.

OR

Using a Linux OS with some appropriate software for drive pooling, or a software Raid 5. (Haven't used Linux before).

 

I was thinking of getting 4 Western Digital 3tb AV-GP drives.

 

The reason I wanted to use Storage spaces or a similar drive pooling Linux software is obviously for upgradability. I already have 6tb of music,video and pictures that I need to get secure because I don't have a backup. So using those 4 3tb drives in Raid 5 (9tb) might fill up quite quickly, and I don't really want to be forced to buy another 4 drives just to have more secure space. The other problem that poses is running out of Sata ports, so should I get a cheap Raid controler? 

 

Or should I just bite the bullet and buy a 4 bay Nas Box and worry about the 9tb running out when it happens...Which could actually take some time.

So any suggestions as to which road I should go down or some suggested builds for a home server within my budget would be great.

 

Thanks. 

[Henry]

http://pcpartpicker.com/user/codaassasin/saved/29jX

Edit this to add as many harddrives u want, change to a case that supports more internal 3.5 inch bays.

Use Windows Server 2012, get it free via MSDN 3 year subscription (free subscription): http://7pmtech.com/threads/get-partial-msdn-subscription-free-for-3-years.3368/

 

Note: This processor can be unlocked to a dual core (risky imo), and even overclocked to 3.5-3.7ghz. More than enough power needed for a storage server. Mobo only has 1 gigabit lan port, so if u want to get better bandwidth, change to some cheap mobo that supports dual gigabit (it would mean increasing the price of this system tho)

[Samdb]

6TB of content? Why did you not buy a server before?

[MG2R]

Not so long ago, I answered this thread. My answer seems (at least in part) applicable here as well. For your convenience, I've quoted it below.

 

In your particular case, I suggest you either go with FlexRAID (Looney has a tutorial) on Windows or mdadm (I have a tutorial) on Linux. As long as you have enough SATA ports on-board, you don't need to by anything extra. If you run out of SATA ports, buy an HBA (Host Bus Adapter) instead of a RAID card, as RAID will be provided by software ;)

 

If you don't want to go custom, Drobo makes very flexible storage solutions you might want to take a look at...

 

 

You can either buy a pre-built NAS. The options suggested above are nice machines to take a look at. With pre-built boxes the transfer speed will be very much dependant on the processor used in them, so search before you buy. A NAS like this will set you back 100-500 dollars. It is recommended for people who want a set-and-forget storage system.

 

The other option is to go with a DIY NAS or a home server. This option requires more work to set up and maintain, but is quite q bit more powerful. If you have an old PC gathering dust, you might as well use that. So depending on what you already have and what you're going to use the machine for (pure file server, or maybe other services as well?), the price can range between 0 dollars and infinity dollars, depending on what parts you buy.

 

The main advantages of a pre-built NAS are:

• Most likely cheaper (unless you already have spare hardware you can use)
• Easy set-up
• Low maintenance
• Often come with pretty webUI's to manage it.

The main advantages of a DIY home server are:

• Potentially very powerful
• Maximum flexibillity
• Possibility to grow beyond a simple storage server
• You can learn something new

 

If you think a pre-built NAS is the best option for you, I'd advise you to listen to other people for suggestions. Apart from my neighbour's ReadyNAS Duo v1, I don't have any hands-on experience with those things.

On the other hand, if you're thinking of building a NAS yourself, you might want to check out Looney's 10TB+ show-off thread for ideas. You might also want to take a look at the build log of my home server, it will show that you don't necessarily have to go the predefined computer look ;) As for software, I'll point you in the direction of my Debian Home Server howto. If you would rather stick to Windows for your server, you may want to check out Looney's FlexRAID tutorial. FlexRAID is a very viable RAID solution on Windows.

 

If you've decided to build a NAS yourself and need help choosing components, just ask ;) (or head on to the build planning section of the forums)

[looney]

Hi,


I would not recommend a prebuild NAS box as you already have 6TB, so you obviously like storage, and like you said you cant expand it pas 9TB easily.

I don't have any experience with storage spaces yet, but I do intend to try it out and write a tutorial about it. A good alternative to storage spaces would be FlexRAID, you can find more info on that by clicking on the FlexRAID link in my signature. And there are of course a lot of good linux options aswel.

 

As far as hardrives are concerned I would go with Seagate barracuda drives, or if you are more comfortable with WD then go for their RED drives. (though there is really nothing wrong with Seagate)

 

With software RAID all you need to do is connect the drives to the system, so you don't need a RAID card.

If your motherboard does not have enough SATA ports you can get a HBA (Host Bus Adapter) like the IBM m1015 ($100 on ebay)

 

BTW, Is it just for audio and video files?, the type is important when selecting the ideal RAID solution.

 

 

looney,

Trusted Storage Advisor.

[Kuzma]

http://pcpartpicker.com/user/codaassasin/saved/29jX

Edit this to add as many harddrives u want, change to a case that supports more internal 3.5 inch bays.

Use Windows Server 2012, get it free via MSDN 3 year subscription (free subscription): http://7pmtech.com/threads/get-partial-msdn-subscription-free-for-3-years.3368/

 

Note: This processor can be unlocked to a dual core (risky imo), and even overclocked to 3.5-3.7ghz. More than enough power needed for a storage server. Mobo only has 1 gigabit lan port, so if u want to get better bandwidth, change to some cheap mobo that supports dual gigabit (it would mean increasing the price of this system tho)

:p most of those parts aren't available in australia 

 

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU:  AMD A4-4000 3.0GHz Dual-Core Processor  ($55.00 @ Scorptec)

Motherboard:  Gigabyte GA-F2A85XM-D3H Micro ATX FM2 Motherboard  ($95.00 @ PCCaseGear)

Memory:  Kingston 4GB (1 x 4GB) DDR3-1333 Memory  ($42.00 @ PCCaseGear)

Storage:  Western Digital Caviar Green 3TB 3.5" 5400RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($139.00 @ PCCaseGear)

Storage:  Western Digital Caviar Green 3TB 3.5" 5400RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($139.00 @ PCCaseGear)

Storage:  Western Digital Caviar Green 3TB 3.5" 5400RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($139.00 @ PCCaseGear)

Storage:  Western Digital Caviar Green 3TB 3.5" 5400RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($139.00 @ PCCaseGear)

Case:  Fractal Design Define R4 (Black Pearl) ATX Mid Tower Case  ($155.00 @ PLE Computers)

Power Supply:  XFX ProSeries 450W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply  ($69.00 @ PLE Computers)

Total: $972.00

(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)

(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-08-12 23:22 EST+1000)

 

That's what I was able to fit into your budget ^_^ has 8 sata ports and 8 internal drive bays incase you do need to get another set of drives in the future & is a little bit under so has some flexibility.

[MG2R]

As far as hardrives are concerned I would go with Seagate barracuda drives, or if you are more comfortable with WD then go for their RED drives. (though there is really nothing wrong with Seagate)

For pure data storage, you might as well go with WDC Green drives; they are cool, quiet and power efficient. I know some people claim they are problematic in RAID arrays, but I have never had a drive fall out of an array due to a firmware bug before...

 

I really should investigate those barracudas, though. It seems you swear by them

[looney]

:P most of those parts aren't available in australia 

 

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU:  AMD A4-4000 3.0GHz Dual-Core Processor  ($55.00 @ Scorptec)

Motherboard:  Gigabyte GA-F2A85XM-D3H Micro ATX FM2 Motherboard  ($95.00 @ PCCaseGear)

Memory:  Kingston 4GB (1 x 4GB) DDR3-1333 Memory  ($42.00 @ PCCaseGear)

Storage:  Western Digital Caviar Green 3TB 3.5" 5400RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($139.00 @ PCCaseGear)

Storage:  Western Digital Caviar Green 3TB 3.5" 5400RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($139.00 @ PCCaseGear)

Storage:  Western Digital Caviar Green 3TB 3.5" 5400RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($139.00 @ PCCaseGear)

Storage:  Western Digital Caviar Green 3TB 3.5" 5400RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($139.00 @ PCCaseGear)

Case:  Fractal Design Define R4 (Black Pearl) ATX Mid Tower Case  ($155.00 @ PLE Computers)

Power Supply:  XFX ProSeries 450W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply  ($69.00 @ PLE Computers)

Total: $972.00

(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)

(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-08-12 23:22 EST+1000)

 

That's what I was able to fit into your budget ^_^ has 8 sata ports and 8 internal drive bays incase you do need to get another set of drives in the future & is a little bit under so has some flexibility.

Looks good, though I would never recommend greens for RAID, they are/have been know to cause trouble in RAID.

Go with either Seagate barracudas or WD RED's

[looney]

 

For pure data storage, you might as well go with WDC Green drives; they are cool, quiet and power efficient. I know some people claim they are problematic in RAID arrays, but I have never had a drive fall out of an array due to a firmware bug before...

 

I really should investigate those barracudas, though. It seems you swear by them

 

Lol, guess we have had very different experiences with green :P

 

The problem about the greens is that they keep changing them with every SKU, so a certain green SKU will work fine in RAID while another green SKU will be catastrophic in RAID. This is why I just skip them and recommend to go for the Barracudas or RED's which are perfect in RAID.

[MG2R]

Lol, guess we have had very different experiences with green :P

 

The problem about the geens is that they keep changing them, so a certain green SKU will work fine while another green SKU will be catastrophic in RAID. This is why I just skip them and go for the Barracudas that have always been fine in RAID.

Have any idea what that catastrophic SKU is?

 

At the moment I have a mix of two different green SKUs in my server, both happily operating

[looney]

Have any idea what that catastrophic SKU is?

 

At the moment I have a mix of two different green SKUs in my server, both happily operating

EARS was one of the problematic ones if I remember correctly, and then there is still the problem that not all drive in the same SKU are always similar... 

 

In total I have had 3 SKU's fail on me consistently (RMA'd models had same problem), I'll try to look them up when I'm back home.

 

I'm not saying all greens are bad, but its easier to just recommend barracudas or reds for RAID as you wont need to triple check the SKU every time, sometimes its hard for people to understand that one green will work fine while another green won't. 

[Nbohanes]

Thanks for the suggestions guys that helps alot.

 

BTW, Is it just for audio and video files?, the type is important when selecting the ideal RAID solution.

 

looney,

Trusted Storage Advisor.

 

Yeah pretty much just for music, video and picture storage and video streaming to other pc's and devices in my house.

I will probably setup a game server on it but it would probably only be for minecraft or something like that.

[MG2R]

EARS was one of the problematic ones if I remember correctly, and then there is still the problem that not all drive in the same SKU are always similar... 

I'm using an EARS :o :p

As I said: never had any problems. Could be just my luck, though

 

We'll see what happens as time progresses

 

I will probably setup a game server on it but it would probably only be for minecraft or something like that.

Linux would be my preferred choice for a Minecraft server, as Minecraft on its own already eats RAM like it's made out of coockies :p

[looney]

Yeah pretty much just for music, video and picture storage and video streaming to other pc's and devices in my house.

In that case your good to go with a software RAID system

[Nbohanes]

Looks good, though I would never recommend greens for RAID, they are/have been know to cause trouble in RAID.

Go with either Seagate barracudas or WD RED's

Yeah I have heard the greens have problems in Raid, which isn't surprising because they aren't exactly designed for 24 hour use.

I was also thinking of using the reds but I have heard they are more optimized for up to 6 drive arrays.

I know that Barracuda's are quite good but I didn't think they were designed for server use.

I have read that the WD AV-GP drives are designed for 24 hour use and are good for video streaming.

 

Do you know much about the AV-GP drives....Am I just reading into the marketing BS a little too much? 

 

[looney]

I know that Barracuda's are quite good but I didn't think they were designed for server use.

Im running 8 of them in a 15 drive array 24/7, they will be fine.

 

The AV-GP are designed for maximum streaming and minimum data integrity. If they have a weak sector, they make no attempt to read it, at all. They are designed for surveillance, where a drive stalling on a bad sector could cause a whole recording to fail, but corrupted data in a bad sector will just mean a couple of dropped frames. AV-GP drives are unsuitable except for surveillance or the like use.

[Nbohanes]

Im running 8 of them in a 15 drive array 24/7, they will be fine.

 

The AV-GP are designed for maximum streaming and minimum data integrity. If they have a weak sector, they make no attempt to read it, at all. They are designed for surveillance, where a drive stalling on a bad sector could cause a whole recording to fail, but corrupted data in a bad sector will just mean a couple of dropped frames. AV-GP drives are unsuitable except for surveillance or the like use.

 

Ok thanks mate.

Do you recommend FlexRAID for streaming media (HD Movies, Tv Shows)?

[looney]

Ok thanks mate.

Do you recommend FlexRAID for streaming media (HD Movies, Tv Shows)?

Yes, that's also what I use it for on my server.

 

There is a pro and cons list in my FlexRAID tutorial.

Read that part of the tutorial to begin with, then you can decide if its the right choice for you.

http://linustechtips.com/main/topic/33510-how-to-install-and-setup-flexraid-on-your-windows-storage-system/?p=429011

 

Don't hesitate to ask if you have more questions!

[Nbohanes]

Yes, that's also what I use it for on my server.

 

There is a pro and cons list in my FlexRAID tutorial.

Read that part of the tutorial to begin with, then you can decide if its the right choice for you.

http://linustechtips.com/main/topic/33510-how-to-install-and-setup-flexraid-on-your-windows-storage-system/?p=429011

 

Don't hesitate to ask if you have more questions!

Thanks again mate you have been a great help.

And thanks to everyone else that helped out, greatly appreciated.

[megadarkwood]

http://pcpartpicker.com/user/codaassasin/saved/29jX

Edit this to add as many harddrives u want, change to a case that supports more internal 3.5 inch bays.

Use Windows Server 2012, get it free via MSDN 3 year subscription (free subscription): http://7pmtech.com/threads/get-partial-msdn-subscription-free-for-3-years.3368/

 

Note: This processor can be unlocked to a dual core (risky imo), and even overclocked to 3.5-3.7ghz. More than enough power needed for a storage server. Mobo only has 1 gigabit lan port, so if u want to get better bandwidth, change to some cheap mobo that supports dual gigabit (it would mean increasing the price of this system tho)

honestly, I would use a corsair PSU.

[MG2R]

Yeah I have heard the greens have problems in Raid, which isn't surprising because they aren't exactly designed for 24 hour use.

I was also thinking of using the reds but I have heard they are more optimized for up to 6 drive arrays.

I know that Barracuda's are quite good but I didn't think they were designed for server use.

I have read that the WD AV-GP drives are designed for 24 hour use and are good for video streaming.

 

Do you know much about the AV-GP drives....Am I just reading into the marketing BS a little too much? 

 

If you want drives that are rated for 24/7 operation, you can pick up WD RE drives. Expect to pay a premium, though.