New NAS - Buy vs Build vs Repurpose

[scrobbesbyrig]

Hi all,

Long time user of SmallNetBuilder site, first time poster though!

I seem to be amassing PC's and devices which are running as various servers. Each on is rather low on space and I'm guessing that the power consumption of the combined devices is probably higher than one consolidated one.

My requirements are fairly simple. 4TB of storage, which I think should include some redundancy, such as RAID5. I know redundancy is not an excuse for backup ... but since I have neither at present, it's better than nowt! Anyway ... 4TB storage using RAID5. Im thinking 4 or 5 disks at 1 or 1.5TB (just depends if 1.5TB is reasonable pricing yet). 4TB will cover all present storage requirements ... plus a bit of room to grow!

On one server I currently have Firefly media server, DHCP and DNS running and also Azureus BitTorrent downloader.

My objectives really are to achieve one device that manages all storage efficiently, doesn't cost an arm and a leg to implement, is easy to manage (my background is Microsoft stuff, and not linux ... but still open to consider it), and as a bonus reduces the electricity bill!

So, I have a couple of questions, if you don't mind:
1) I know that some of the off the shelf NAS solutions, such as Synology, Thecus, etc allow bittorrent downloading. But do any of them allow you to update the ipfilter.dat file to restrict connections?

2) The server which is able to be repurposed is a AMD Athlon 64 2800 processor, 4GB RAM, and a 600w (I think) power supply. It also has a high end gaming gfx card in. Firstly would the power supply need changing to accommodate 4 or 5 hard disks? Secondly, should I change the gfx card to a more energy efficient one? Lastly, the Althon64's always generated a lot of heat, this I assume is very inefficient.

3) Would I be better to build a whole new box, with a new case, mobo, processor etc, and concentrate on energy efficiency?

4) Would you buy an off the shelf solution, repurpose and buy new disks, or build a new solution?

Regarding the OS, I have a license available for Server 2008, or Vista of any flavour. Generally there will be 3 laptops connecting (XP, Vista and OS X), 2 desktops, a XBMC media centre, a Vista PC running media centre, and a PS3.

5) Should I consider using Windows OS, or look into Ubuntu or FreeNAS?

6) With regards to the hardware if I were to repurpose or build, should I use OS RAID or hardware RAID? I read an interesting article on ArsTechnica which suggested for home users, OS raid was better since in the event of failure they might be able to get a new disk, but getting a raid controller of the same model might not be feasible. Thoughts?

7) Of the off the shelf models, do any of then have the ability to run DHCP or DNS server? I suppose I could completely do away with DNS, but it's just useful at times having the hostnames of all the other network kit available! DHCP I could move to my router ... but just enjoy having proper functional DHCP on a server!

8) Should I even consider a WHS solution?

I think that's about it for now! Sorry for the brain dump style post.

Thanks in advance for any help/advice.

 

[thiggins]

1) I know that some of the off the shelf NAS solutions, such as Synology, Thecus, etc allow bittorrent downloading. But do any of them allow you to update the ipfilter.dat file to restrict connections?

No.

2) The server which is able to be repurposed is a AMD Athlon 64 2800 processor, 4GB RAM, and a 600w (I think) power supply. It also has a high end gaming gfx card in. Firstly would the power supply need changing to accommodate 4 or 5 hard disks? Secondly, should I change the gfx card to a more energy efficient one? Lastly, the Althon64's always generated a lot of heat, this I assume is very inefficient.

Why use any graphics card at all vs. onboard graphics. No need for fancy graphics, or perhaps any at all since you can administer the NAS via web browser.

3) Would I be better to build a whole new box, with a new case, mobo, processor etc, and concentrate on energy efficiency?

Depends on what your current solution is drawing for power. Commercial RAID5 NASes can draw 50 to as much as 100 W.

4) Would you buy an off the shelf solution, repurpose and buy new disks, or build a new solution?

Too complex a question with no simple answer. [/quote]
Start with How To Choose the Right NAS for You

5) Should I consider using Windows OS, or look into Ubuntu or FreeNAS?

Windows is fine if you can live with the 10 user limit. Vista SP1 and Windows Server 2008 have file copy optimizations that can greatly improve performance with Vista SP1 clients. See How To Build a Really Fast NAS - Part 6: The Vista (SP1) Difference

6) With regards to the hardware if I were to repurpose or build, should I use OS RAID or hardware RAID? I read an interesting article on ArsTechnica which suggested for home users, OS raid was better since in the event of failure they might be able to get a new disk, but getting a raid controller of the same model might not be feasible. Thoughts?

BIOS level RAID support is built into many motherboards and may be just fine. A decent RAID5 hardware controller will add $300+ to your build cost.

7) Of the off the shelf models, do any of then have the ability to run DHCP or DNS server? I suppose I could completely do away with DNS, but it's just useful at times having the hostnames of all the other network kit available! DHCP I could move to my router ... but just enjoy having proper functional DHCP on a server!

DHCP server yes. DNS no. Doesn't your router cache/proxy DNS?

8) Should I even consider a WHS solution?

Many would say yes. But research the file replication technology it uses and see if you are comfortable with it.

 

[scrobbesbyrig]

Hi Tim, Thanks for taking the time out to reply

Why use any graphics card at all vs. onboard graphics. No need for fancy graphics, or perhaps any at all since you can administer the NAS via web browser.

Ah yes, that's what I meant. Get rid of the extra gfx card, and use the onboard one up until I can turn on remote desktop!

Depends on what your current solution is drawing for power. Commercial RAID5 NASes can draw 50 to as much as 100 W.

Well at present there's two desktop PCs on 24x7, plus two WD MyBooks ... one's a USB connected one, the other is the god-awful MyBookWorld networked one ... gigabit my arse!

Too complex a question with no simple answer.
Start with How To Choose the Right NAS for You

Thanks for the link I shall have a read.

Windows is fine if you can live with the 10 user limit. Vista SP1 and Windows Server 2008 have file copy optimizations that can greatly improve performance with Vista SP1 clients. See How To Build a Really Fast NAS - Part 6: The Vista (SP1) Difference

I'll go and have a read of this too, might come back with more questions. I guess this might be of use with the Server to Vista Media centre for streaming.

BIOS level RAID support is built into many motherboards and may be just fine. A decent RAID5 hardware controller will add $300+ to your build cost.

Yeah, I was thinking of using a 3Ware of LSI if I did go the hardware route. Are many of the mobo one's now able to do hardware raid 5 though?

DHCP server yes. DNS no. Doesn't your router cache/proxy DNS?

Yeah the DNS is cached by the router. However I have just found that it's been great running my own DNS server for the past 5 years. I've got hostnames populated for all of my networked kit, so even if I cant remember what IP I gave it, I can get it by hostname. I guess it's more of a nice to have.

Many would say yes. But research the file replication technology it uses and see if you are comfortable with it.

Yes, I noticed the initial Data Duplication Corruption bug! I have been a bit cautious since then!

 

[thiggins]

I'll go and have a read of this too, might come back with more questions. I guess this might be of use with the Server to Vista Media centre for streaming.

I am not sure that the optimizations will improve streaming performance. I believe they are just on file copies. They make a huge difference for those, however.

 

[scrobbesbyrig]

I've just had a read. I don't think specifically it will be an improvement that I will notice. While all the network switches are gigabit, and the nics are mainly gigabit ... I have invested heavily in the use of Powerline adaptors, since they are "wife friendly" and don't need huge cable runs across the house.

Bit of extra info, I have my office where I work from home, the XBMC in the bedroom, the router in the hallway, the servers in the garage and the media center in the lounge all as islands connected to a powerline adapter. It works faster than wireless averaging 153Mb/s per connection.

I think looking through the info, I will be happier using a system with an OS that I know and can support. Windows Server 2008 will be the likely choice. I need to investigate the Athlon based server and see what I could do with that box. I think the whole of the front can be allocated to hard disks.

Just found : 1.5TB Seagate ST31500341AS Barracuda 7200.11, SATA, 7200 rpm, 32MB Cache, NCQ, OEM £112.82 inc vat, but not inc delivery. @$165
1TB Western Digital WD10EACS Caviar Green GP, SATA 300, 16MB Cache, 8.9 ms, NCQ £72 inc vat, but not inc delivery. @$105
So both really $/GB is actually cheaper on the 1.5TB drive, but not by much.

Question is, should I look to replace the mobo and processor with one that has onboard RAID5 and is much more energy efficient?

 

[BriComp]

LSI Megaraid SAS8344xlp can be had on ebay (New) for $139.
The card supports SAS and SATA drives.