Small low power file Server

a1ex2001 · 11 Jul 2024 at 09:32

Not sure this is the right forum but I’m going to go for it anyway!

Sonos in their infinite wisdom have ended support for SMB V1 file shares meaning I can no longer use my local music library from a USB stick in the back of my Plusnet Router. So I’m looking for a replacement, all it needs to do is share approximately 70GB of MP3’s and about 30GB of photos. It needs to be compact, low power and low maintenance so was thinking Pii or similar single board setup, what would you all use and how would you set it up?

Jim99 · 11 Jul 2024 at 12:13

Personally I run much bigger servers (smallest I've had is an N36L).

But in that situation I'd probably buy a refurb NUC on eBay

Jay85 · 11 Jul 2024 at 16:45

Zimaboard, i run a personal cloud server on one.

Armageus · 11 Jul 2024 at 16:58

If it's just as file share as cheap and low power as possible, HP Thin client T530 or similar (around £35 on ebay with 128Gb storage )

HP Thin Client: t530

Hardware description of the HP t530 thin client

www.parkytowers.me.uk

Could either use Windows or replace with a Linux NAS such as Openmediavault

Edit:
Dell/Wyse 5070 is another good option, similar price, but has Quad core Intel CPU, 2 dimm slots and full size sata M.2 slot

Specification and hardware description of the Wyse 5070 (N11D) Thin Client

Hardware description of the Wyse 5070 (N11D) thin client hardware

www.parkytowers.me.uk

Emlyn_Dewar · 12 Jul 2024 at 01:26

Cheapest N100 mini-PC would be good.
Or a used mini/micro model from HP/Dell/Lenovo.

Rroff · 12 Jul 2024 at 02:05

Probably more than you'd be looking to spend but I moved most of that kind of stuff to a J4125 based fanless mini PC - unlike the newer J and N series CPUs which replaced it the J4125 has very low idle power use.

Avalon · 12 Jul 2024 at 13:12

What have you already got? An older Pi would do this, a budget uSFF or older NUC, you can get a *lot* of bang for your buck now with a very small power footprint and it's not like you need much in the way of CPU/RAM, heck even an old APU2 or similar would be a reasonable shout.

Sinbad2000 · 12 Jul 2024 at 13:29

Avalon said:
What have you already got? An older Pi would do this, a budget uSFF or older NUC, you can get a *lot* of bang for your buck now with a very small power footprint and it's not like you need much in the way of CPU/RAM, heck even an old APU2 or similar would be a reasonable shout.

Yeah, pi would be perfect.

How to Turn a Raspberry Pi Into a NAS for Whole-Home File Sharing

If you want a network-attached storage device but aren't ready to invest in one, make one with a spare Raspberry Pi. Here's how to turn a simple board into the brains of a NAS for file sharing.

uk.pcmag.com

Sanchez · Saturday at 22:01

Another vote for a Pi of some kind. Great pieces of kit and very energy efficient. A Pi 4b would be more than enough.

Cyber-Mav · Sunday at 22:15

Go for a thin client or ex office mini pc like hp pro/elitedesk, dell 3050 micro, Lenovo m720q etc.

a1ex2001 · Monday at 10:35

Thanks, hadn’t really considered the uSFF office PC’s which is crazy when I have a tiny think centre as my main PC (I only use it for Browsing, typing and a bit of music production!)

Avalon · Tuesday at 09:51

What will really blow your mind is when you realise a Pi is more expensive and potentially has higher power consumption/lower spec & performance. Pi's were the default answer years ago, for some things they still are, but now they tend not to make as much sense, unless you have one already.

Armageus · Tuesday at 10:09

Avalon said:
What will really blow your mind is when you realise a Pi is more expensive and potentially has higher power consumption/lower spec & performance. Pi's were the default answer years ago, for some things they still are, but now they tend not to make as much sense, unless you have one already.

Exactly this - unless you need either GPIO or the very small form factor, or already have one lying around unused from something else, almost everything is a better option.
Even power usage of a Pi isn't the huge selling point it once was, with the newer models burning almost as much as most mini PCs.

champ222 · Tuesday at 16:34

Ive just ordered a zimablade. similar to the zimaboard that Jay85 mentioned above but its cheaper. I ordered the quad core, but there is a dual core version too:

ZimaBlade - Single Board Server for Cyber Native

ZimaBlade is the starter personal server for cyber natives who dare to be outlaws of this centralized cyberspace.

www.zimaspace.com