Help plan a NAS with aspirations...
Posted: Fri Feb 25, 2011 3:20 pm
I am looking to build a replacement for my existing network-attached storage (2x 300GB freecom NAS’s), as they are so sloooow . (on gigabit network)
Tasks I need this machine to do now...
• Data backup for 1 PC (wired) and a laptop (wireless):
• ?OS backup for connected PCs
• Serve data for laptop (mainly jpgs)
• Spin down disks when not in use, be energy efficient.
• Allow Remote desktop-style connections as its likely to be without monitor in the loft.
Current data storage requirements:
Photos, short avi clips Size now = 80 Gb, Annual increment = 30 Gb
Music Size now = 60 Gb, Annual increment = 20 Gb
Films Size now = 1 TB, Annual increment = 400 Gb
Data Size now = 40 Gb, Annual increment = 5 Gb
I have a number of future projects in mind and would like to design this with these in mind I’ve listed these below:
• Run home/wildlife IP cameras and store footage
• Act as a media server for a HTPC - the project after this one.
• I’m interested in the possibility of using this to host virtual os’s to thin client desktops when my kids are big enough to want to use PCs (wont be long) – I don’t yet know much about that, but its an idea sort of bouncing about in my head.
It doesn’t have to be totally silent as its likely to be in a loft space, but ever the purist, I would look for a little moving parts as possible.
I recently successfully built a near silent PC so don’t mind getting my hands dirty. I have no experience of server architecture and have limited use of linux distros, but would have a go if need be.
Case: Fractal Define R2, since my current PC is build in one, and its really quiet. I like the look of their new offering, a (slightly) smaller I rather Fractal Define mini. Can only accommodate up to 6 HDs, and not an ATX MB.
CPU
My most recent research was pre-SB architecture so some recommendations what sort of CPU I ought to be considering would be appreciated, and I have no idea about whether any of the atom offerings are suitable in any way.
MB: I would probably want at least 6 SATA ports. Probably support for USB3. Gigabit NIC (?standard), and I don’t want wireless modules. Something reliable?integrated GPU or use SB CPU-GPU setup? I'm not wedded to ITX, and am happy to consider something smaller.
Memory: For my current needs, 2Gb is probably fine, but for virtual machine ? over 4GB would be better since my PC wheezes slightly running XP window over windows 7
PSU: 400 or 460 W Seasonic Fanless
OS: This is where I draw a blank. For the current requirements, a free NAS distro would probably do, but for media server I would either need to go full linux distro, or windows… server or windows 7? I am more comfortable with windows environments in this case.
HDs: 1x small fast HD for OS, and the rest for data? Any recommendations based on proposed uses? Some sort of raid array setup (maximise availability for media serving functions). I use a number of Samsung HDs currently, and am happy with them: Would consider a number of 2TB HD204UI drives for data
Backup: Current use is as a backup machine, with a view to expand in the future as media server. Would mirror critical data (family photos) to existing commercial NAS boxe, and maybe to internal dedicated HD.
Any suggestions would be helpful, especially around the new S-B MBs and CPUs,
Cheers,
Dave
Tasks I need this machine to do now...
• Data backup for 1 PC (wired) and a laptop (wireless):
• ?OS backup for connected PCs
• Serve data for laptop (mainly jpgs)
• Spin down disks when not in use, be energy efficient.
• Allow Remote desktop-style connections as its likely to be without monitor in the loft.
Current data storage requirements:
Photos, short avi clips Size now = 80 Gb, Annual increment = 30 Gb
Music Size now = 60 Gb, Annual increment = 20 Gb
Films Size now = 1 TB, Annual increment = 400 Gb
Data Size now = 40 Gb, Annual increment = 5 Gb
I have a number of future projects in mind and would like to design this with these in mind I’ve listed these below:
• Run home/wildlife IP cameras and store footage
• Act as a media server for a HTPC - the project after this one.
• I’m interested in the possibility of using this to host virtual os’s to thin client desktops when my kids are big enough to want to use PCs (wont be long) – I don’t yet know much about that, but its an idea sort of bouncing about in my head.
It doesn’t have to be totally silent as its likely to be in a loft space, but ever the purist, I would look for a little moving parts as possible.
I recently successfully built a near silent PC so don’t mind getting my hands dirty. I have no experience of server architecture and have limited use of linux distros, but would have a go if need be.
Case: Fractal Define R2, since my current PC is build in one, and its really quiet. I like the look of their new offering, a (slightly) smaller I rather Fractal Define mini. Can only accommodate up to 6 HDs, and not an ATX MB.
CPU
My most recent research was pre-SB architecture so some recommendations what sort of CPU I ought to be considering would be appreciated, and I have no idea about whether any of the atom offerings are suitable in any way.
MB: I would probably want at least 6 SATA ports. Probably support for USB3. Gigabit NIC (?standard), and I don’t want wireless modules. Something reliable?integrated GPU or use SB CPU-GPU setup? I'm not wedded to ITX, and am happy to consider something smaller.
Memory: For my current needs, 2Gb is probably fine, but for virtual machine ? over 4GB would be better since my PC wheezes slightly running XP window over windows 7
PSU: 400 or 460 W Seasonic Fanless
OS: This is where I draw a blank. For the current requirements, a free NAS distro would probably do, but for media server I would either need to go full linux distro, or windows… server or windows 7? I am more comfortable with windows environments in this case.
HDs: 1x small fast HD for OS, and the rest for data? Any recommendations based on proposed uses? Some sort of raid array setup (maximise availability for media serving functions). I use a number of Samsung HDs currently, and am happy with them: Would consider a number of 2TB HD204UI drives for data
Backup: Current use is as a backup machine, with a view to expand in the future as media server. Would mirror critical data (family photos) to existing commercial NAS boxe, and maybe to internal dedicated HD.
Any suggestions would be helpful, especially around the new S-B MBs and CPUs,
Cheers,
Dave