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:
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