First NAS and Router Build

[OuterMarker]

I have determined that I need a NAS and I would like to also make it a router (if that is even possible).

 

Here is my proposed build:

CPU/Motherboard: ASRock C2550D4I Mini ITX Server Motherboard

RAM: Crucial Ballistix Tactical 16GB (2 x 8GB) 240-Pin DDR3

Power Supply: SeaSonic SS-350SFE 350W

HDDs: (4) Seagate Archive HDD v2 ST8000AS0002 8TB 128MB Cache SATA 6.0Gb/s

Operating System Drive: An 8GB thumb drive

Network card: IBM 39Y6136 PRO/1000PT Quad Port PCI Express Network Adapter 10/ 100/ 1000Mbps PCI Express x4 4 x RJ45

Case: SilverStone DS380B

 

This will be my first NAS and my first router build so I have a few questions.

 

1. Is it even possible to combine a NAS and a router into one machine?

 

2. I have 24 TB worth of media that I would like to be able to stream. I also would like to have about 4 TB for a backup of 2 MacBooks and one PC. Would a NAS be able to work with both Windows and Mac OS, or would that not work?

 

2. I know very little about networking, so I am not sure if I am under-spending or overspending on the network card. My PC uses 2 Ethernet cables, my Mac mini uses 1, and my Roku uses 1, so I need a total of 4 Ethernet output cables. I also need Wi-Fi but don't know what hardware I need for that.

 

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[reddemonoverlord]

if you run virtual machines it is possible, this is a bit over kill in a few areas though, other than that it looks great.

[beavo451]

1. Yes, you can. Don't do it.

 

2. Yes, you can create shares that are compatible with Windows and OSX. 

 

3. Leave networking to standalone devices. Router/Firewall device that handles routing, NAT, firewall, security, etc. A switch to connect all wired connections, and access points to handle WiFi.

 

 

If you "know very little about networking", then just buy a consumer wireless router and learning. Trying to "build" a router and piecing networking devices together with no knowledge can be head-bang-against-wall frustrating.

[OuterMarker]

1 hour ago, reddemonoverlord said:

if you run virtual machines it is possible, this is a bit over kill in a few areas though, other than that it looks great.

Where do you think the over kill is?

[reddemonoverlord]

The only real "overkill" is the ram, the rest is an acctual upgrade over worse parts, with that you would have 1 gb to your main os, 7 to your router, and 8 to your nas.

[beavo451]

1 hour ago, reddemonoverlord said:

The only real "overkill" is the ram, the rest is an acctual upgrade over worse parts, with that you would have 1 gb to your main os, 7 to your router, and 8 to your nas.

No. RAM is cheap. No such thing as too much RAM.

[Eniqmatic]

You could in run them both on the same machine, depends on which OS you chose however weather or not it is recommended to do so.

[reddemonoverlord]

14 hours ago, beavo451 said:

No. RAM is cheap. No such thing as too much RAM.

-.- overkill is not TOO MUCH, its too much to make it make CENTS, only because think about how much a router needs? a nas? its not 16 gbs  not saying you cant do it, and not saying it will cause problems. just saying you can spend less and be fine.

[Mikensan]

@OuterMarker - definitely don't combine a NAS and firewall just as @beavo451 said. @reddemonoverlord - FreeNAS is a memory hog, so there are NAS solutions that would eat that up.

 

That Atom might be just fine for a firewall, but it will be working hard on a NAS - but it will work.