FreeNAS Hardware Build

[mnorby]

Hello,

This is my first attempt to build my own NAS server. I have found some other similar builds, but they are not exactly what i was looking at.

I was looking for information on my parts list to make sure everything was good to go before proceeding.

Here is the hardware I have selected.

Fractal Design Node 304
Intel S1200KP mini ITX Motherboard
Intel Xeon E3-1200 Processor
Seagate Barracuda 3TB 7200 RPM x 6
Highpoint Rocket 620 PCI-Express 2.0 x1 SATA III Controller Card

I haven't decided on a PSU yet.
I was going to install the max of 16GB of memory.

I was planning on using FreeNAS w/ZFS and somehow booting from USB.

Does this seem ok or are there problems with this?

Thanks

 

[Ken g6]

Feels like overkill, unless there's some reason you really need ECC RAM. Care to answer [thread=80121]the sticky questions[/thread]?

 

[88keys]

Hello,

This is my first attempt to build my own NAS server. I have found some other similar builds, but they are not exactly what i was looking at.

I was looking for information on my parts list to make sure everything was good to go before proceeding.

Here is the hardware I have selected.

Fractal Design Node 304
Intel S1200KP mini ITX Motherboard
Intel Xeon E3-1200 Processor
Seagate Barracuda 3TB 7200 RPM x 6
Highpoint Rocket 620 PCI-Express 2.0 x1 SATA III Controller Card

I haven't decided on a PSU yet.
I was going to install the max of 16GB of memory.

I was planning on using FreeNAS w/ZFS and somehow booting from USB.

Does this seem ok or are there problems with this?

Thanks

I might agree that this is somewhat overkill for FreeNAS.

I have a FreeNAS box of my own, but I currently use UFS so my hardware requirements are minimal.

I know that to use the ZFS file system with the extentions can need higher system requirements, but I seriously doubt that you would need the items you suggested. Generally speaking, under ZFS, your RAM is the most important spec, I personally would go with at least 8GB of RAM, but as cheap as it is, maxing out RAM isn't a bad idea.

From what I've personally read, you can pretty much get away with any recent dual core x64 (even Atom level CPUs) CPU providing you have a minimum of 1GB of RAM per TB storage on your server.

The other thing is that I'm not sure what you would need the RAID card for as it's still not hardware raid and would not increase your performance.

And finally, it's a good idea to get a good gigabit network card (if you have gigabit networking). I have found that FreeNAS doesn't play well with alot of realtek network adapters and often do not perform up to full gigabit speed.

 

[mfenn]

The other thing is that I'm not sure what you would need the RAID card for as it's still not hardware raid and would not increase your performance.

It looks like the OP is just planning to use it as an HBA since the S1200KP only has 4 SATA ports.

OP, I'm in agreement that what you've listed would certainly work, but is overkill. You don't need nearly so much CPU or the capability for ECC RAM for the typical home use box. In fact, that money would be much better redirected towards an SSD to use for ZIL and L2ARC. Can you elaborate a little on your intended workload?

 

[masteryoda34]

Are there any ITX boards with 6 SATA ports onboard? That would save you from needing the RAID card.

 

[SheHateMe]

You DON'T need 16GB memory for an unRaid or FreeNas server. 2GB is just fine. Also, since you need a Mini-ITX board. Go on newegg and check out their CPU/GPU combo mini ITX. Save a lot of time and money. You don't need the most powerful rig on the planet, something like a 1.86 ghz or a 2.0 ghz processor is more than enough.

Anyway. Good look. You probably won't find one with 6 ports on board unless you want to spend a lot of money..but you can but a raid card with extra ports, don't use the software or the hardware raid and FreeNas will handle it just fine.

 

[SheHateMe]

This is the unRAID server Im building:


CASE: LIAN LI PC-Q25B Black Aluminum Mini-ITX Tower Computer Case (7 HDD spaces)

MOBO: BIOSTAR A68I-350 Deluxe AMD Fusion APU 350D AMD A68 Mini ITX Motherboard/CPU Combo (3 onboard sata)

Cosmetic: Koutech USB 2.0 Header-Pin to Dual Type-A adapter Model IO-UU220 (Internal USB port for the boot stick. Want to keep it hidden)


Add-on Ports: SYBA SY-PCI40010 PCI SATA II (3.0Gb/s) 4 Port RAID 0/1/5/10 JBOD Card (4 Sata ports))


PSU: SILVERSTONE Strider Plus ST50F-P 500W ATX 12V v2.3 & EPS 12V 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Full Modular Active PFC Power Supply (No messy cables!)

MEMORY: Kingston 4GB 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1066 (PC3 8500) Desktop Memory Model KVR1066D3N7/4G

Boot Device: Team F108 2GB USB 2.0 Flash Drive (Silver) Model TG002GF108SX

HDD3: Western Digital WD Green WD20EARX 2TB SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive

HDD4: Seagate Barracuda ST2000DM001 2TB 7200 RPM SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive

I have two other hard drives going in this.

 

[Ken g6]

That's what I love about Newegg. They make it easy to search for a mini-ITX LGA1155 mobo with 6 SATA ports. (Technically, 4 SATA3 and 2 SATA2, but no higher values were available for either.) This $100 H77 makes the most sense to me.

Then just get a G630 or something for the processor, and however much RAM you want.

 

[88keys]

You DON'T need 16GB memory for an unRaid or FreeNas server. 2GB is just fine.

To use ZFS file system, hell need a minimum of 4 GB of RAM

 

[mnorby]

First off thank you for all of you information and help.

I hope this helps a little more.

1. What will your pc be used for?

I am a web developer and my projects have ended up all over between multiple WD external hard drives, dvd's and on portable hard drives. So I would like to start and consolidate them into one place.

I would also like to create shares for my family to store photos, home movies and I was also thinking about using the pc as a repository for a htpc.

2. What is your budget?
My budget is about $1200.00 USD.

3. What country will you order your parts?
US

4. Do you have a brand preference?
No

5. Are you using current parts?
No

6. Will you be overclocking?
NO

7. What resolution will you be using?
Don't know

8. When do you plan on building it?
ASAP

I hope this helps a little bit.

I also did find an ASUS P8H77-I with 6 sata ports.

I remember reading that ZFS needs a minimum of 4 GB, but I also thought I read that you should have 1 GB for every TB of storage.

Thanks again for your help.

 

[mfenn]

With six 3 TB drives, you're talking about $870 right there, which leaves $330 for the rest of the machine.

The Node 304 is another $100 if you can find it. Add an ITX board capable of 6 SATA connections is another $100. That leaves $130 for the rest of the system (CPU, RAM, PSU).

What I'm getting at here is that ITX form factor, 16 GB of ECC memory, a Xeon E3, and 24 TB raw capacity ain't happening on $1200. What's more important to you, sheer capacity or performance (no right or wrong answer here)?

 

[88keys]

Oh crap, didnt see that he had x6 for the drives.


In that case, he'll need all 16GB of RAM for ZFS. and with that much storage, he may need some reasonably powerful hardware. Particularly if its going to be under heavly load. Perhaps you should consult the guys on the FreeNAS forum.

 

[mnorby]

Thanks for all of the help.

After some more time here is what I have decided on.

Case: Fractal Designs Node 304
MB: ASUS P8H77-I
Drives: WD 3TB Red X 6
PSU: Silverstone ST55F-G
Processor: Intel i5-3450S

I cannot figure out the memory piece though.

ASUS says you can use DDR3 DIMM's.

No where can I find 16GB (2x8GB) in ASUS QVL.

Any help?

Thanks

 

[mfenn]

You don't have to use memory from the QVL. Any DDR3 1600 1.5V kit will work. This $65 GeIL kit would be fine.