Home Server/NAS solution

[Preest]

HP Microserver, WHS 2011 = simple, fairly idiot proof, reliable.

I have a Microserver running WHS V1 and it's been fantastic. The only issues I've had have all been at the expense of my own stupidity and running through every possible hardware/software failure, I just can't beat it.

Let me inject my own stupidity -

So -

HP Microserver, WHS 2011. 4 x 2tb, booted off a microstick. Software raid 5 or better?

How does this compare with, say, a 411J? I know that a NAS is not backup, and will continue to keep a system copy offsite , via a docking bay unit. I know that the 411j will give me easy access to my data from offsite locations, at a high cost. If I can do this via a Microserver all the better...

 

[Darryn]

Unless you need an optical drive, dont forget its very easy to add a 5th HDD into the Microserver, be it another 2tb for extra storage or a smaller Sata HDD for running a more substantial OS off.

 

[MeMeMeMe]

I have a microserver, with 1x500GB system drive, 4x2Tb internal drives, and 1x2TB external esata drive. i love it. I upgraded from a Synology NAS 407. The Synology was very good, but can't match the transfer speed of the microserver.

I'm running WHS v1 so can't comment on WHS 2011 vs synology 411, but I know 2011 is supposed to be a decent bit faster than WHS v1 (not having the overhead of folder duplication and drive balancing), so I would expect it to be much better than the synology.

Personally I wouldn't use Raid 5, though.
WHS 2011 has a backup problem - it can't back up a volume larger than 2TB, so a RAID 5 volume probably can't be backed up. With WHS, you're better off having a system drive, that you back up externally, and then use some other program external to WHS to backup the rest of your data if you need to. What a pain.

 

[Preest]

"

I have a microserver, with 1x500GB system drive, 4x2Tb internal drives, and 1x2TB external esata drive. i love it. I upgraded from a Synology NAS 407. The Synology was very good, but can't match the transfer speed of the microserver.

I'm running WHS v1 so can't comment on WHS 2011 vs synology 411, but I know 2011 is supposed to be a decent bit faster than WHS v1 (not having the overhead of folder duplication and drive balancing), so I would expect it to be much better than the synology."

Sorry, guys, I'm going into confused moron mode

I get that I can put 4 x 2tb drives into the HP, plus can boot from the supplied 250 gb drive, or from a USB stick. I also get that I can use software RAID, though many people favour hardware RAID. As I understand it, I can only use hardware RAID 0 or 1 with the HP. If I want to use RAID 5 or 10 I need to use software RAID, right?

I have access to FreeNas and Unraid, as free software. I also have access to Windows server, WHS2008 and WHS2011. I have found a controller card that allows me to use 4 x HD's. I could (now - things have changed) afford to put 4 x 2tb drives into a box. I could also now, just, afford a DS411J, but would far rather build something cheaper have a load of cases and parts, plus I love the spec of the HP micro.

Apologies for the lack of server knowledge. I guess I am learning as I go....

 

[Darryn]

Im not sure if this answers your question fully, but yes Raid 0 and 1 are the only hardware options, under FreeNAS im using software RaidZ which i believe is the FreeNAS ZFS version of raid 5. In mine and it seem many others experiance, FreeNAS 8.0 isnt compatible with the 250gb HDD, no idea why, it shows up during BIOS boot up but by the time its loaded FreeNAS it no-longer exists, so ive swapped that drive out for a 500gb drive and it works fine... other OSes probably wont have this issue, FreeNAS 7 for instance works fine with it.

 

[DJMK4]

I have a HP Proliant Microserver, Excellent value for money with the cashback offer and a neat little server/come NAS box.