File server build

[rumpleforeskin]

Hi AT

Would like to build a file server to consolidate all my media into a central location on my home network making easier to maintain and also allowing me to have it running 24/7.

Mostly my previous builds have been more at the enthusiast level and i'm a little lost when it comes to the better value components that would be better suited for a file server build.

I plan on this device running 24/7 so would be happy to put some extra funding towards efficiency and keeping the noise levels down


1. What YOUR PC will be used for. That means what types of tasks you'll be performing.
Primary purpose will be to supply media to two XBMC machines via wired network
Secondary purpose will be to allow FTP for remote access to my files / also store backups of 2 networked machines


2. What YOUR budget is. A price range is acceptable as long as it's not more than a 20% spread.
I would like to build this for under £300 excluding HDD which I already have
It should need no keyboard/mouse/monitor (other than initial setup) and I plan on running linux as the OS so think this budget should be enough


3. What country YOU will be buying YOUR parts from.
No preference, I'm in the UK but happy to buy from the cheapest location (taking postage inot account)

4. IF you're buying parts OUTSIDE the US, please post a link to the vendor you'll be buying from.
I'm more after a parts recommendation, so if you point me to a component I am more than happy to scour the UK sites finding the best prices. USA and UK prices are proportional, what's usually best bang for buck there is the same here. Even if the prices are different the relationship between prices is the same

5. IF YOU have a brand preference.
No brand preference

6. If YOU intend on using any of YOUR current parts, and if so, what those parts are.
Currently have 3 x three terabyte HDDs that are in various machines at the moment that I will use in the fileserver. As my media expands over the next couple of years I expect to have a case and PSU that can handle 6 HDD total

7. IF YOU plan on overclocking or run the system at default speeds.
I doubt this system will require an overclock, but I am happy to do so if the components will benefit from it

8. What resolution, not monitor size, will you be using?
NA

9. WHEN do you plan to build it?
within the next 4 weeks unless there is any new technology due for imminent release

Note I am pretty unfamiliar with ATOM and AMD gear at the moment, almost all of my builds for the last decade have been those that offer the best performance post overclock

 

[Binky]

If you aren't planning on any transcoding, you should consider a pre-built HP unit like the N54L. I have an N40L and it has been perfect. It's very small, quiet, built like a tank, and
it is very low power. This unit can hold up to five 3.5 inch drives internally, plus a few 2.5 inch drives if you're creative.

There is a current US deal for $290 after rebate, but there might be similar deals in the UK.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16859107921

If transcoding is in your server's future, you will need something more powerful.

 

[mfenn]

Try this on for size:

Pentium G640 £53
ASRock B75M £53
Kingston HyperX DDR3 1600 8GB 1.5V £54
Corsair Neutron 64GB £72
Existing HDDs £0
XFX Core 450W £40
Cooler Master Elite 344 £33
Total: £305

For the OS, install Ubuntu Server 12.04 LTS and then install ZFS on Linux.

Partition the SSD like so:

sda1: /boot 500 MB
sda2: LVM PV for other system partitions (/, swap) 16 GB
sda3: ZFS log device 8GB
sda4: ZFS ARC cache device ~35 GB (whatever's left over)

Create the following zpool:

zpool1
   raidz (these are your HDDs) 
      sdb
      sdc
      sdd 
   log 
      sda3
   cache
      sda4

This setup will absolutely scream. All writes will go to the SSD and then get written out to disk in large sequential chunks to maintain performance. Most of the RAM will be used as a read cache for the hottest data and then the SSD cache device will be used for the next level.

 

[dclive]

Linux is too complex for most, and if he doesn't know it already it's massive overkill. He'd be well served with a low end CPU (like that HP N54L box; it's perfect!) and slapping his drives in there for an easy and low power (and licensed and supported) solution.

 

[rumpleforeskin]

Linux is too complex for most, and if he doesn't know it already it's massive overkill. He'd be well served with a low end CPU (like that HP N54L box; it's perfect!) and slapping his drives in there for an easy and low power (and licensed and supported) solution.

I currently run both my XBMC HTPCs on linux and get along fine with it.

Thanks for the various opinions. I had not thought of pre-built servers as I wrongly assumed they would be very expensive for what I would want.

One concern I have is that all reviews of the HP microservers state the maximum storage is the number of drives x 2 which reads like these are not compatible with drives over 2TB.

I guess this will be a limit of the OS I choose, but if the server does not have a UEFI BIOS I will still be limited to a 2TB drive for booting regardless of OS.

 

[LurchFrinky]

I guess this will be a limit of the OS I choose, but if the server does not have a UEFI BIOS I will still be limited to a 2TB drive for booting regardless of OS.

This isn't reallly a problem as you don't need a large OS drive. Take a look at mfenn's recomendation again and notice how the OS and data are on separate drives. Pre-built servers already have an OS installed, so that drive is usually not included in the storage specifications. And if you were building your own and wanted to save money, you can run your linux OS off of a USB thumb drive.

Just imagine the chaos if the one drive that went bad in your system contained data and the OS.

 

[Binky]

The N54L and the older N40L hold 4 main data drives and these can all be 4TB, possibly larger. I currently run a mix of 3 and 4TB drives. The stock boot drive is a 250gb that can be easily mounted above the four data drives in the unused CD/DVD bay with a simple 5.25 to 3.5 inch converter. You can also convert the CD/DVD bay to hold additional 2.5 inch or SSD drives if desired, but that's more work. The stock bios is easily modified to support full ATA speeds on the fifth internal port (move boot drive here) and the 6th external SATA port. You could put up to seven drives in the case by using a few large 2.5 inch drives up top. Are they up to 1TB now? Theoretically, that could allow you to stuff 18TB into this tiny case (4x4 + 1x2).

I have done this bios mod on the N40L and I see no reason to believe its different on the N54L, but you should check first if this is a reason for buying.

Build your own or buy premade are both good options. Definitely build your own if real CPU power or future expandability are needed. My own setup has no need for transcoding and 4 drive bays are good enough, so the HP works absolutely perfectly for me.

 

[mfenn]

This isn't reallly a problem as you don't need a large OS drive. Take a look at mfenn's recomendation again and notice how the OS and data are on separate drives. Pre-built servers already have an OS installed, so that drive is usually not included in the storage specifications. And if you were building your own and wanted to save money, you can run your linux OS off of a USB thumb drive.

Just imagine the chaos if the one drive that went bad in your system contained data and the OS.

Agree 100%. Definitely do not put the data and OS on the same disks.