Spec me a storage server.

Buchanan0204

Buchanan0204

Buchanan0204

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I am using an Acer Revo at the moment with XBMC installed as my media pc and love it. I am using a 1TB external desktop and a 320GB portable. Now I've networked it upto my main pc downstairs via homeplugs to use the storage drive on that. It's all becoming rather messy and files are scattered across too many hdd's in different locations.

I would love all my data in the one place, in a storage server. I have looked at NAS's and the money for them is just not justified IMO. I would much rather build a storage server and use a gigabit crossover cable to go straight into my REVO. I don't need the data to be streamed anywhere else in the house. Although I suppose that could be nice, however not an essential requirement.

I'm looking at around 10TB of storage with the possibility to upgrade in the future to perhaps a little more. I was thinking 5 of the Samsung F4 ecogreens, with a dual core athlon and a case that supports the drives.

Would be great if someone could offer any advice on this situation, it's far from my expertise.

Cheers.
 
Yeah I would agree that the prices of NAS' really aren't justified. I've just built a smallish HTPC, but acts as a server too, based on Athlon II X2 and serves me well. You could probably go with something more efficient tho for pure storage needs.
 
I have an HP Proliant Microserver that's more or less doing exactly that.

The HP spec sheet is over at:
http://h10010.www1.hp.com/wwpc/us/en/sm/WF05a/15351-15351-4237916-4237918-4237917-4248009.html

As a quick overview:
- Dual core low power AMD dual core processor
- 1gb RAM (I upgraded this to 4... not sure why actually, I'm not convinced it was the best idea)
- 250gb drive (which I replaced with 4x 2TB + 1x 1TB)
- 4 USB drives at the front, 2 at the back
- Gigabit LAN
- Radeon 4200? (there is a Radeon in the microserver, I have no idea which, since I run it headless)

The whole thing is pretty compact and doesn't look really out of place in my living room. I bought the remote access card too, which allows for power control/KVM/media/some other stuff via IP, which is neat, but not worth the money if you have monitors around you can hook to it. I have only laptops, so had no way to do things like install OS and configure BIOS, etc without a keyboard/monitor, so it made sense to have the remote access card.

There is also a 100 quid rebate from HP.
http://h41112.www4.hp.com/promo/pro...=ex_r135_uk/en/smb/tsg/go_proliantmicroserver

You can find it from competitors for about 140 quid after rebate.
 
^The HP microserver is an easy choice.

A direct ethernet link will work fine. I'd rather have access across a network for putting new files onto the server, but if the htpc does all that then no worries.
 
u could always create your own nas.
just get any old pc u might have spare (if you have any) stick some large drives in and put on FreeNAS.

for simple filesharing, you really dont need much power, so if your buying a pc to do the job, jsut get one of the cheaper ones to use
 
Cycrow said:
u could always create your own nas.
just get any old pc u might have spare (if you have any) stick some large drives in and put on FreeNAS.

for simple filesharing, you really dont need much power, so if your buying a pc to do the job, jsut get one of the cheaper ones to use
Click to expand...

This was my original plan... to use old parts, buy a new case with plenty 3.5 drive bays and install some sort of OS. I didn't think there would be a great power requirement for file sharing. Stick a pci gigabit lan card in and I'm good to go hopefully.
 
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