High capacity file server needed for work

[mosfet]

I'm currently looking to build a file server for work with a raw capacity of at least 4TB (3TB in RAID-6 preferably).

My current plan is a rack mountable case with 2x 3x5" drive bays to each hold 4 or 5 SATA caddies, connected to an Areca 1200 series card.

It wouldn't need to be too fast, just reliable, so I was looking at the Tyan Tomcat AM2 nFPro board with a cheap Athlon X2 CPU, such as a 4400+.

I was planning on using Windows 2003 as the OS.

Has anyone else built a project like this? Any suggestions or tips?

Also, what's the best solution for back-ups? The file server would be used to store a load of audio recordings on bulky tape, so using tape to back it up would somewhat defeat the point of saving space.

Thanks

 

[brendy]

I'm currently looking to build a file server for work with a raw capacity of at least 4TB (3TB in RAID-6 preferably).

My current plan is a rack mountable case with 2x 3x5" drive bays to each hold 4 or 5 SATA caddies, connected to an Areca 1200 series card.

It wouldn't need to be too fast, just reliable, so I was looking at the Tyan Tomcat AM2 nFPro board with a cheap Athlon X2 CPU, such as a 4400+.

I was planning on using Windows 2003 as the OS.

Has anyone else built a project like this? Any suggestions or tips?

Also, what's the best solution for back-ups? The file server would be used to store a load of audio recordings on bulky tape, so using tape to back it up would somewhat defeat the point of saving space.

Thanks

It sounds like a feasible build but unless you own the company (getting **** on otherwise if something fails) id buy a prebuilt system, ie hp/dell etc If a part fails you have to worry about removing the part replacing it and then trying to get warranty where hp etc will come out and replace parts as required.