File Server advice

slickback

slickback

slickback

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Joined
12 Mar 2009
Posts
104
I am looking to put together a network fileserver and the requirements that I have are:

What I Need

• Data Redundancy
• Have the ability to start off with 2 hard drives and add more drives when required
• Automatic online backup of select folders
• Notify me via email of any errors
• Mac & Windows access

What I Would Like

• Check consistency of data for corruption every week
• Be able to access the files remotely
• Encryption of select folders or Password prompt for access to select folders
• Continue working transparently in the event of a disk failure


The hardware I have

• Dell Vostro 200 tower (can hold 5 HDD max with the ICY Dock)
• Core 2 Duo 6400 @ 2.13GHz
• 2Gb DDR2 Ram 667MHz
• Onboard graphics
• 2 x Samsung SpinPoint F1 HD103UJ 1TB Hard Drive SATAII *32MB Cache*
• LSI Logic MegaRaid 8308ELP SAS PCI Express RAID Card
• Netgear GA311 10/100/1000 PCI Adapter
• ICY Dock MB453 SPF SATA (2 device bay with 3 HDD slots)

I would plan on using the following hardware and add 3 more 1TB drives when required, Storage wise this should last me for a year or two at which point I would consider building an 8 or 16 HDD fileserver.

From what I have read I have narrowed down my choice of OS to Windows Server 2003 or OpenSolaris for ZFS but can't decide which one to go for.

The only drawback I can see from using ZFS is that I can't use my RAID card to create the RAID and will have to use it in JBOD mode.

Let me know what you think and Kind Regards!
 
Well it comes down to what you know, I would choose OpenSolaris (or possibly another unix derivative) for the job, as a pure file server it should offer better performance and ZFS has some impressive features.

But neither ZFS or open solaris is for beginners really and if you're running a windows network then there are some nice business features there you might want in future (DFS most obviously).

I suspect from the low end hardware this isn't going to be heavily used in a big business environment, so unless you know unix well, just go for windows and have an easy life.

I suspect somebody will mention the packaged storage appliance options (openfiler/freeNAS etc). They are an option, openfiler has some utility but for a fileserver I'd either build my own on one of the above OS's or buy a serious hardware filer (Netapp)
 
It will only be used at home by my self and family.

I run my own PC repair business from home which I started about 6 months ago, I have converted the attic into a workshop, about 2 years ago I laid solid cat 6 gigabit cable under the floorboards all over the house which go to network sockets in each room.

I am also studying MCSE so I can start targeting business clients.

I will use the fileserver to store business data hence why I need data redundancy, off site backup and encryption if possible.

I also want to store my music and video so that it can be streamed to a network media player which will be connected to a 40" Samsung LCD.

The reason I need the password protection is to stop anyone connecting up to the fileserver via a network socket in the house and deleting files.
 
I also have a HP ML115 G5 server with 4GB ECC Ram & 250Gb HDD running ESXi, I use this for my MCSE studies. I was thinking of setting up two Server 2003 virtual machines, one as a DC and the other to host Exchange 2003 as I am having issues with my web hosted email.

This would allow me to share my email and calendar with my windows machine, mac and iphone.

or would I be able to do all of this from the fileserver if it ran server 2003?
 
slickback said:
It will only be used at home by my self and family.

I run my own PC repair business from home which I started about 6 months ago, I have converted the attic into a workshop, about 2 years ago I laid solid cat 6 gigabit cable under the floorboards all over the house which go to network sockets in each room.

I am also studying MCSE so I can start targeting business clients.

I will use the fileserver to store business data hence why I need data redundancy, off site backup and encryption if possible.

I also want to store my music and video so that it can be streamed to a network media player which will be connected to a 40" Samsung LCD.

The reason I need the password protection is to stop anyone connecting up to the fileserver via a network socket in the house and deleting files.
Click to expand...

I know you want something more complex, but if its just for Home Use, why not look at WHS. That will do all of the above.
 
I want something complex so I can learn something new, I also want to be able to use the same set-up in a business environment for clients in the future.

In the past I used XP Pro with a Drobo attached but it caused endless of head aches which I later found out was due to using early SATA I drives.
 
You're looking for two different things here.

1) Secure fileserver for business.
2) Media server for the family.

Although it would be cheaper to throw it all together into one big box, if you are serious about your business, then treat your business seriously. Use your Vostro for as media server, and get a nice little proliant or poweredge for business.

Do whatever you like on the media server (solaris or whatever), but treat your business server as if it were a client (windows OS, A/V of your choice - Kaspersky/Sophos/etc, Symantec Backup Exec or similar for backups). I'd recommend you pass some exams before getting in too deep. When you'v proven yourself, register as an MS Partner (free) & signup for MAPS (MS Action Pack Subscription - yearly fee, but you get freebie software for own use).
 
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