First NAS, should I use RAID?

[CiPHER]

But since ZFS has totally different characteristics than people have been accustomed to - for example the abilities to expand an existing pool - it does take some time to read up on that and let it sink in. Hence, you will need to reserve a couple of hours to get to learn ZFS and work with it, as well as make informed decisions buying appropriate hardware for a ZFS NAS.

 

[aigomorla]

I posted a similar question on another forum and a user stated I was making a "NAS newbie mistake" for not using RAID. I still don't see how this is a mistake, maybe someone can explain...

this totally depends on what your other backup method is, and how large it is.

Now lets put it into this practice... suppose you have 12TB of Data....
There is no single 12TB backup outside using a TAPE.
GL uploading 12TB to the cloud.

Hence ur backup will be most likely be partitioned on several disks, or wont be a complete backup.

Raid is not a real backup, but it will save you some because you just replace the drive you have lost, not go though archive and re-download / reinstall 12TB of data.

Again RAID is not a real backup, but its a first line saftey net to somehow protect your not so critical information..

Priceless files... like pictures you can never lose, should always be backup'd on multiple backup options, including a cloud service.

If your server catches fire.. or you house catches fire... no form of backup which was at the location will save you unless ur (nature proof'd the vault) or the data is at an offsite location.

 

[monkeyboy311]

This is the Dell server I was referring to:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ..._re=dell_poweredge_t20-_-59-155-115-_-Product

- Mini-tower
- Intel G3220 3.0GHz Dual Core
- 4GB EEC RAM

 

[CiPHER]

If you are looking for hardware for a DIY NAS, you may find this post interesting: http://forums.anandtech.com/showpost.php?p=37263522&postcount=65

The ASRock Q1900DC-ITX board is particularly interesting for small builds, as it has its own DC-DC power supply built-in so no ATX power supply needed. This allows for very low power consumption at the wall socket (12W without disks). And the passive heatsink means no noise at all.

 

[monkeyboy311]

If you are looking for hardware for a DIY NAS, you may find this post interesting: http://forums.anandtech.com/showpost.php?p=37263522&postcount=65

The ASRock Q1900DC-ITX board is particularly interesting for small builds, as it has its own DC-DC power supply built-in so no ATX power supply needed. This allows for very low power consumption at the wall socket (12W without disks). And the passive heatsink means no noise at all.

That mobo looks nice. I didnt know they made then with DC jacks. Any recommendations on a smallish case that holds at least (4) 3.5" HDDs? I found this one on NE but its a bit pricey.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...628&cm_re=hotswap_case-_-11-165-628-_-Product

This one is a decent price but its a bit large and I would have to get a 5.25" cage for the 4th HDD. The PSU opening would also have to be covered somehow.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...&cm_re=roswell_neutron-_-11-147-236-_-Product

 

[dave_the_nerd]

That mobo looks nice. I didnt know they made then with DC jacks. Any recommendations on a smallish case that holds at least (4) 3.5" HDDs? I found this one on NE but its a bit pricey.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...628&cm_re=hotswap_case-_-11-165-628-_-Product

This one is a decent price but its a bit large and I would have to get a 5.25" cage for the 4th HDD. The PSU opening would also have to be covered somehow.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...&cm_re=roswell_neutron-_-11-147-236-_-Product

Fractal Design Node 304.

 

[MongGrel]

Redundancy "mitigates" drive failure because there's no downtime during a RAID rebuild - it continues to operate in a degraded state. RAID - and ZFS, for that matter - doesn't protect against data loss due to human error, scripts run amok, etc.

You need regular backups, period, or you will (will, not might) lose data, RAID or not.



HA (clustered) storage systems exist (both for SAN and NAS applications), but they're still using disks arranged in fundamentally RAID-like arrangements. (Striping for speed and IOPs, parity or mirroring for fault tolerance/protection, etc.)

this. and that.

this totally depends on what your other backup method is, and how large it is.

Now lets put it into this practice... suppose you have 12TB of Data....
There is no single 12TB backup outside using a TAPE.
GL uploading 12TB to the cloud.

Hence ur backup will be most likely be partitioned on several disks, or wont be a complete backup.

Raid is not a real backup, but it will save you some because you just replace the drive you have lost, not go though archive and re-download / reinstall 12TB of data.

Again RAID is not a real backup, but its a first line saftey net to somehow protect your not so critical information..

Priceless files... like pictures you can never lose, should always be backup'd on multiple backup options, including a cloud service.

If your server catches fire.. or you house catches fire... no form of backup which was at the location will save you unless ur (nature proof'd the vault) or the data is at an offsite location.

 

[Michael]

I am a fairly experienced system builder and FreeNAS was quite difficult to configure and get to work as compared to the Asustor I just bought or the Synology I had. I was able to get it working and if all you want is a NAS and not use other apps, then it is probably fine. Otherwise I prefer the interface investment that the NAS specialists have made.

Michael