spec me a Windows Home server project

edgedemon

edgedemon

edgedemon

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I fell in love with this as the solution to all my storage needs..

http://www.via.com.tw/en/products/embedded/nsd7800/

But it looks like it will be a while if at all for when it is available as Via have released it as a 'project based' bit of kit. (they have the hardware and a manufacturer would then assemble it as a solution)

So spec me something similar, I would want a minimum of 8 drives, more if poss, I have some PC3200 memory knocking around that ideally I would like to use, but if it is a limiting factor then I would just buy new RAM.
I was thinking about a low cost, low power sempron or celeron solution but Im open to ideas for the case, I want to stick it under my desk and forget about it, Im willing to sacrifice looks for functionality!
It will take all my music and dvd collection (400) for my media centre

Im planning on running WHS JBOD as I can then choose which folders I want to mirror, so Im not sure if I need RAID cards, though Im unsure how I would fit so many drives in??

The big question is the budget - Im thinking round about 300-400, not including drives as I understand that the case is likely to be pricey.

Thought Id throw this out to people who know more about this than me..
 
basket.jpg


This is obviously going to work out a bit more expensive than I first thought. Here is my basket so far.
I haven't chosen a PSU yet as I don't know how big it would need to be to power upto 12 drives :eek:
I have 5 drives to add besides the 2 I am buying, so will need to spec a SATA raid card, even though Im not doing any RAID
I was hoping to go low power, but cant see any low power AMDs' at OCUK???

basket.jpg
 
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I really like the compact units, but Im thinking 5 x HDD is just not enough

I have 1TB of music and 400 DVD's to rip at 4-6Gb per DVD, plus TV series recordings etc.

Thats why I liked the VIA solution in the link at the top of the post, it had 8 drives, which is the minimum spec I want to work with if poss. I dont like having to have a huge tower case, basically having to re-spec a complete PC as a server, but going forward, it is futureproofing my needs
 
If you do really like the compact Units (I would staya way from raid devices like qnap and synology) as with 8+ drives they are going to be very slow at raid 5 (probably a few days to rebuild if a drive fails.

I think you are right in looking at WHS devices and the VIA is a good choice. If you can't wait for the VIA then might I suggest something like one of the Tranquil based servers. The BBS2 (I have just purchased this). This only has 5 drive bays which as you said is not enough. However, you can get around this with either the new 2TB drives (should be out here within the month) and/or e-sata external caddies like the Edgestore DAS401.

While this would move it into 2 compact devices instead of one you are not going to et any other compact device to hold 8 drives apart from the VIA. Which will not be out for a while.
 
Funny you sould say that, but I have just been on their web site after googling. Can you install WHS on these?
Off to google DAS 401 now

Thanks for the heads up..
 
Yea you can but, you need a external dvd drive or you need to make a bootable usb pen drive in order to install it. See my thread in SFF subforum about the tranquil.

Nps, while i have not used the das401 it should suit your purposes.
 
check the ml115 thread in servers, might fit the bill with some 5 1/2 bay converters...and cost very little if you look hard enough
 
Although really cheap, even with the 5.25 to 3.5 converters, Im looking at a max of 6 drives. Id lose one for the system drive so that leaves 5, and I think I would have to upgrade the PSU as well, so maybe its a non starter
 
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