Help with File Server/Nas spec

Turambar

Turambar

Turambar

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My Synology DS110J seems to be on it's way out so I intend to replace it. I'd like it's replacement to have capacity for at 4 hard drives and I since I have an Intel D2700MUD lying around and ready made 4 bay NAS solutions are so pricey I figured I'd build my own.

The spec I've put together in my head is as follows:

  • Intel D2700MUD (2GHz Atom Dual Core)
  • 4GB RAM
  • Dell PERC6i RAID card (I know someone selling one cheap)
  • Drives dependent on cost, probably 4*2TB
  • 500w Shuttle PSU i have lying around
  • Custom Case

Operating system is something I'd like some help with, FreeNAS and Windows Home Server 2011 look like decent options for me but I know little about servers. Then comes the issue of hardware RAID vs Software RAID for whatever OS I'm using, something I also know little about.

The Intel board has a PCIe Mini slot that I could stick a small SSD in for the OS install if that would make a significant improvement to performance.

It'd be used for sharing Music/Photos/Movies around the house, something the Synology 110J handled perfectly until recently.

Any suggestions anyone could offer would be appreciated.
 
The PERC 6/i is a PCIe x8 card so it isn't going to fit in that motherboard ;)

Also be aware that Dell SAS/PERC cards such as the 6i are based on the LSI SAS1078 chipset which only supports disks up to 2Tb. I think you can create virtual drives larger than that though, but you wouldn't be able to go beyond your 2Tb disks to say 3 or 4Tb disks (although you could easily run 8x2Tb with 32 pin SAS to SATA adapters).

Also for my money I would go for a base Celeron over an Atom, such as a G540. It will be much faster and create a much more usable system IMO.
 
Shad said:
The PERC 6/i is a PCIe x8 card so it isn't going to fit in that motherboard ;)
Click to expand...

That is a very good point. Bizarrely I have two sets of specs (both from the Intel website) and one says PCIe. I didn't even bother looking at the board since it's under some boxes. PCI card might handle my needs but probably not worth the chance. Rethink required.

2TB drive limit is unlikely to ever be a problem. Atom vs Celeron vs Whatever will most likely be decided on cost since the 800Mhz ARM chip in the 110J has been sufficient.
 
I have a D2700MUD which I am working with for a 4 bay NAS product I will be offering my customers at some point :D.

I am using a PM362 (SATA to Mini PCIe Adapter) to add the two extra ports making 4 in total. Portwell also do a mPCIe to SATA card which has raid functionality but the model number is not to hand and a quick search failed to turn it up.

I have Windows Home Server 2011 running on it fine at the moment. Give it a go before trashing the idea. The PM362 is around US$35 so not a big expense.

Once I have my other hard drives delivered I will probably put together a build log.

RB
 
DIABLO said:
HP Microserver would be great, read the thread in this section.
Click to expand...

RimBlock said:
I have a D2700MUD which I am working with for a 4 bay NAS product I will be offering my customers at some point :D.

I am using a PM362 (SATA to Mini PCIe Adapter) to add the two extra ports making 4 in total. Portwell also do a mPCIe to SATA card which has raid functionality but the model number is not to hand and a quick search failed to turn it up.

I have Windows Home Server 2011 running on it fine at the moment. Give it a go before trashing the idea. The PM362 is around US$35 so not a big expense.

Once I have my other hard drives delivered I will probably put together a build log.

RB
Click to expand...

Both seem like workable options, the mPCIe adaptor isn't as neat as Microserver but it should work out cheaper since I have the Atom board and I was looking forward to building a custom enclosure.

Thanks guys, I'll have a ponder.
 
If you're not planning on doing anything fancy, then quite literally anything will do hardware wise, don't listen to those who say otherwise. The only time I would really say you need anything remotely hefty in CPU power terms is if you plan to transcode HD video, but even then a decent Core2 would do just fine.

Until a couple of weeks back, my fileserver was running on a s939 3800x2 with 768mb of RAM :) (Motherboard decided it was a good time to die)

Operating system really depends on what you're familiar with.
If you've never used a *Nix variant before, then go for WHS, but I believe that *Nix variants are more stable and provide better options for long-term expansion.

-Leezer-
 
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