Server Spec!

chiefsilverback

chiefsilverback

chiefsilverback

Associate
Joined
23 Mar 2006
Posts
9
Firstly hello all! It's my first post here so I thought I'd dive straight in with a request for help!!! ;)

I want to build a rackmounted media server....

My intial thoughts are for a basic machine with a RAID 5 array of 6 300GB disks giving 1.5TB of useable storage.

I would like to be able to add new arrays as required so I will need a case that can take lots of drives. Unfortunately most of the large capacity rackmount cases I've seen are well of £1000!!!! Any thoughts?

Something like this: http://www.queenservers.com/rm411.htm would give me space for 12 drives with 5"1/4 - 3"1/2 bay converters, but no space for DVD drives!?!?!?

Is it possible to expand the RAID arrays outside of the main server case?

I will put together a list of kit and post it on this thread for people to comment on, if they don't mind...

Thanks in advance for any advice/suggestions!

CSB
 
So here's a sample spec, given that the RAID controller is for 8 drives I decided to go for 8 x 300GB (2.1TB useable):

Case - Queenserver RM411 -Mass Storage Short Low Noise 4U

Mobo - Gigabyte GA 8I945P-G-RH S775 PCI-E DDR2 SATAII GbE Lan USB2 7.1Ch Audio

CPU - Intel Pentium 4 630 Socket 775 , Smithfield Core, 3.0 GHz

OS Drive - 80 GB Seagate Barracuda 7200.9

RAID drives - 300 GB Seagate Barracuda 7200.9 , SATA II

RAID Controller - Supermicro 8 Port SATA 2 RAID Card (PCI/PCI-X)

Graphics card - 256MB ASUS 6200 TurboCache

Bay converter - Coolermaster Stacker 4-in-3 Module

DVD - Sony DWG120AB 16x16x4 DVD±RW

I'd need some advice regarding the PSU 400W/450W/500W etc..?

Also will there be sufficient cooling with the products as they are? I'm not bothered about noise the server will be in a hub....

Thanks....
 
Last edited:
Isn't RAID 5 where you have 5 drives with one of them as a back-up with compressed information on it? To get partial data back?

Out of curiosity, what do you plan on doing with all that space?

Btw. the TurboCache drive uses system ram for its memory.

I would go with a 500 -600w Seasonic, Antec or OCZ powerstream PSU.

2gb's of ram will be a must looking at how you plan on having such a load on the system.
 
Trifid said:
Isn't RAID 5 where you have 5 drives with one of them as a back-up with compressed information on it? To get partial data back?
Click to expand...

You're right about getting the data back. RAID 5 uses a number of drives to store the data and allows for a single drive to fail and still be able to recover the data.

The sacarafice is you effectively loose one drive so if you go for 3 500GB drives you'll only get 1TB of useable storage, therefore 8 x 300GB will give you 2.1TB of useable storage.

With regards to 'what for' its for media content, music and film but I'm going big so that when hi-def content starts to appear I can store it. I also want to transfer my existing library of 150+ DVDs to my server at native quality....
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom