Storage server - buy or build?

h2009 · 13 Feb 2009 at 22:19

Hi there,
Im getting annoyed at losing data, or someone in the house saying they've lost their data, so its come to the time where im considering getting a storage server.

My first question would it be best to create my own server or just buy one?

My second question would be should I just set the local pc's to backup overnight to the storage server or should i store all content directly to the backup server, and the users all read data from it?

I like the idea of flexibility, in that should i need to expand the storage size.
Or replace drives (with larger ones once they come out).

jak731 · 13 Feb 2009 at 22:23

firstly have you got any old pc parts laying about?

if yes list them, because if we can build most of a PC form those parts, i would say build your own provided the parts are compatable with each other and the type of HDDs you need to ensure you have enough storage space

h2009 · 13 Feb 2009 at 22:40

Well, I've got the odd bits around, but the main stuff (cpu/mobo/ram/hdd) will need to be bought.

Is there any things which are a must to buy?

If i go RAID should i get a real RAID card or just use the onboard RAID?

ChrisLX200 · 13 Feb 2009 at 23:57

If you're going to end up paying the same amout as for a modest PC I'd go for something like a QNAP TS209 II (or a 509 if you have the dosh). You just configure it and forget it.

If you want to have some fun then build one using FreeNAS or the like, but it will use more power and take up more space. If your users all want to stream 1080p movies at the same time you'll run into trouble getting the throughput though.

RAID0 for performance? - extra expense, another failure point, and no point if it's a LAN based server. RAID1/5/10 for data security might make some sense, but it's no guarantee you won't lose everything. With a central file server you sort of have all your eggs in one basket, so you would need to back up the server contents as well - unless your main data resides on the workstations and it's the server hosting the backup copy.

Bry · 14 Feb 2009 at 08:55

What I advise on this is look at the case.
If you want a very small case. Something that can be hidden away or moved very easily then look at prebuilt. As you will not really be able to build a storage server yourself with a really small case.
If you don't mind having a normal sized case then definately look at building yourself. If you decide to build yourself I think most people would agree that you should look at a intel atom based system. As it will end up saving you a lot in electricity

PhillyDee · 14 Feb 2009 at 12:03

You can also look at Windows Home Server if you are building a box. This has the advantage of nightly automated backups of each PC, File duplication of anything you want, remote access to files, and it can also be ran headless. But, like everythign else, it costs money . . . .

theheyes · 14 Feb 2009 at 12:40

h2009 said:
My second question would be should I just set the local pc's to backup overnight to the storage server or should i store all content directly to the backup server, and the users all read data from it?

If you have a wired network then pointing everyone's My Documents folder to a folder on the server would work fine, provided the server itself is backed up.

I don't foresee this working well on a wireless network with multiple concurrent users, so backing up incrementally "off peak" so to speak would probably be a better option.