NAS server (Plex / CCTV / Storage)

xerof

xerof

xerof

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31 Jan 2014
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58
Good evening all

I've been doing some looking about, and most solutions seem like they are really expensive for what they are, but at the same time offer "ease of use". Something I haven't got to really baby sit.

I am in the process of setting up some "Ubiquiti UVC-G3" POE cameras. I assume they would be best run on some Surveillance drive(s), but if so how many and what type of (un?)RAID. Probably like 4TB of space maybe 6TB tops, Will only be 4 cameras running for now. Just enough to store several days of recordings. Apparently each camera will put out about 2.6GB/hour | 62.4GB/day | 249.6GB/day(@4 cameras) I will do some testing soon, so anywhere between 4~6TB... But do I need the "Surveillance drive(s)" ??

Another consideration is I'd like to setup a RAM drive for the camera's to limit IOPS on the drive(s). So the amount of memory is another factor.

I want to setup a Plex server (unless someone has a better solution) as I would like to make it easier for my partner to access all the movies we have. Due to being wheelchair bound, looking through DVD's and putting them on herself can't happen anymore. So I would say I'd like 6TB minimum storage. Again, what (un?)RAID should I be looking at.

The final one is storage. I'd like to use some space to store some files / backups (I've read into how "Raid is not a BACKUP") but I'll be looking to take an offline copy at certain points anyway, but would be nice to have some storage on there regardless.


So now the "What I'm after" part is out the way, I'm unsure what's best for me to do still.

I've built many systems before in the past, I have experience with unix systems...
Do I look for a rack type case (I don't have a cabinet right now) but could get a cabinet for the shed later this year.
Do I look for just a case which will store enough drives.
Do I need some cache drives?
I don't want it to eat a hole in my electricity bill.
Due to the IOPS from the CCTV, should I keep the media/storage on separate drives?

Any recommendations for "out the box"?
Any recommendations for "DIY"?

I've been looking at the "QNAP TS-853A-4G 8 Bay NAS" but could upgrade the 4GB to 8GB but might not be enough. Seems expensive too...?


If you're still here reading, thank you for taking the time and I look forward to any feedback.
 
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Just something else to add to the above,

I've been also looking at the "QNAP TVS-1282" - but unsure which processor would fit the bill. I don't plan to run any VM's etc, just the storage / media side. A little pricey again but an out the box solution.

I'll need to buy a UPS also. I sat here thinking today "We don't really have power cuts" but long and behold about 10 minutes ago, the RCB tripped out...
 
I'm no expert on surveillance systems, however I believe that everything you are after can be done using UnRAID and the ZoneMinder docker (https://zoneminder.com/)

I use UnRAID in a Dell T20 with 4 x HDDs for storage and an SSD for cache. I mainly use it for Plex serving and general NAS / Cloud duties. For this, it's amazing.

I have the Xeon model (E3-1225v3 @ 3.2 GHz) and it transcodes for plex perfectly, including HEVC / H265.

The T20 is great - it's small and quiet (it actually sits under a kitchen unit, of all places!) and doesn't suck tons of power. I believe there is a new version out now though - the T30.
 
Well, Looks like I'm in the look for a "server" of some sort now... I did buy a QNAP TS-853A.

I have the QNAP all setup, but it looks like everyone in the household now wants access, and that QNAP isn't up for the job, so I need something purely for Plex, and keep the QNAP as what it's meant for, a NAS.

I'll have a look, but I did put these in the basket earlier (I didn't finish it off)

Missing PSU & M.2 SSD

My basket at Overclockers UK:
Total: £861.92 (includes shipping: £0.00)​
​

There's a little cashback deal right now, not a great amount on the bundle I've brought though. I want something small (And powerful that I can use for other stuff) - I want to setup a couple of services on here, and run my UniFi NVR controller on here too.
I did look into the NUC, but for the price I'd rather build something. I'd love a smaller case than I've found though but it all needs to fit.
 
What about an off the shelf server such as a t30/ts150/ML10? or hit ebay for a prev gen (t20,ts140 etc) and save some coin.

Would be less then half the cost of what you are speccing there.
 
xerof said:
Well, Looks like I'm in the look for a "server" of some sort now... I did buy a QNAP TS-853A.

I have the QNAP all setup, but it looks like everyone in the household now wants access, and that QNAP isn't up for the job, so I need something purely for Plex, and keep the QNAP as what it's meant for, a NAS.

I'll have a look, but I did put these in the basket earlier (I didn't finish it off)

Missing PSU & M.2 SSD

My basket at Overclockers UK:
Total: £861.92 (includes shipping: £0.00)
​

There's a little cashback deal right now, not a great amount on the bundle I've brought though. I want something small (And powerful that I can use for other stuff) - I want to setup a couple of services on here, and run my UniFi NVR controller on here too.
I did look into the NUC, but for the price I'd rather build something. I'd love a smaller case than I've found though but it all needs to fit.
Click to expand...


Not sure why you think you need multiple devices.

My UnRAID box is capable of streaming to multiple clients (inc 4K or transcoding 1080p) whilst having multiple machines backup to it, whilst running pfsense and a web server.

Not come across any limitations yet...

Will also eventually be running a CCTV docker too.

All on a E3-1230 v3.
 
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I was thinking I could replace the gf's current system for this, so it has multiple purpose, and still have enough power for everything else. Plus it'll take up less space. Put my 980Ti in there and buy myself a 1080Ti while I'm at it :) (Haven't looked which case would accumulate the 980Ti though as it's a recent thought)

Few things to think about here.
 
I think the next one is actually a little bigger, and comes with mobile style GFX chips on-board. If you're after a small Plex server, neither of these things are good for you!
 
I just want something small in size, a cpu with a decent passmark for future. It will run Plex as mentioned, but It will also need to run some services for my CCTV, a local MySQL/httpd server, with room to do more later on.

That DeskMini 110 is a perfect size for what little room I have already.
 
There is the "Intel SKULL CANYON i7 Gaming NUC NUC6I7KYK" for an extra £100... but I couldn't imagine the cooler to be so great on that? It is even smaller though...
 
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