Homebrew NAS with PowerEdge T20

[XMan]

So I've decided I'm going to forgo a purpose-built NAS and build my own. Now I'm just debating on what sort of software to use.

It basically comes down to these two options. In both cases I'll be using 4, 6TB Western Digital Red NAS drives.

Windows 7 or 10 Professional with a hardware SAS controller using RAID10.

FreeNAS with the onboard SATA ports, probably using ZFS2.

Will one versus the other have performance benefits? How about reliability and redundancy?

Primary use will be as a backup repository and a Plex Server sharing music and video.

 

[Anteaus]

Will this be a pure NAS or do you want to use it for secondary things like ripping/encoding?

If it is a pure NAS, FreeNAS or Ubuntu/Debian Server work very well. FreeNAS works off USB so that will save you a sata port if it matters. Be aware that ZFS has elevated suggested RAM requirements to the tune of 1GB per TB of data storage. They also recommend ECC ram. There are reasons that won't be debated here nor will I offer opinions, but you should become informed on the subject prior to making a decision. Using Raid 6 (or 10 for that matter) via mdadm do not have those requirements. In my opinion Ubuntu or Debian Server is the best way to go if you just want a pure storage solution. whether you choose to use software RAID or not. I think Windows only becomes more obvious if you want or need a GUI/

If you want a machine that can multitask, I'd go with Windows 10 Pro. It has RDM which is excellent for remote desktop. I purchased an external Blu-Ray reader for mine and just control everything from my main PC. Being able to manage Plex via Windows GUI makes things easy for media.

 

[XMan]

Will this be a pure NAS or do you want to use it for secondary things like ripping/encoding?

Just a repository, I do all my ripping and editing on my main PC.

If it is a pure NAS, FreeNAS or Ubuntu/Debian Server work very well. FreeNAS works off USB so that will save you a sata port if it matters. Be aware that ZFS has elevated suggested RAM requirements to the tune of 1GB per TB of data storage. They also recommend ECC ram. There are reasons that won't be debated here nor will I offer opinions, but you should become informed on the subject prior to making a decision. Using Raid 6 (or 10 for that matter) via mdadm do not have those requirements. In my opinion Ubuntu or Debian Server is the best way to go if you just want a pure storage solution. whether you choose to use software RAID or not. I think Windows only becomes more obvious if you want or need a GUI

I'll be going with ECC RAM either way. The SATA savings is not a big deal since I'll be using a controller if I use Windows.

If you want a machine that can multitask, I'd go with Windows 10 Pro. It has RDM which is excellent for remote desktop. I purchased an external Blu-Ray reader for mine and just control everything from my main PC. Being able to manage Plex via Windows GUI makes things easy for media.

Remote Desktop is a lot more appealing than FreeNAS' web GUI. The only thing that makes me hesitate on Windows is whether or not I will actually need it. I'm not planning on a web or mail server.

 

[Anteaus]

The good news is you don't need to make that decision now. There is no reason not to try out FreeNAS first for a few days and then get a Windows license later if you need it.

 

[dave_the_nerd]

+1 for generic Linux distro. Ubuntu 16 has ZFS included as well, so just use that.

RAID10 is performance-oriented, RAIDZ2 will be more likely to survive two drives failing.

 

[XMan]

The good news is you don't need to make that decision now. There is no reason not to try out FreeNAS first for a few days and then get a Windows license later if you need it.

Well, I've already got the licenses, but that's true. I can copy rather than move the data to test it out.

+1 for generic Linux distro. Ubuntu 16 has ZFS included as well, so just use that.

RAID10 is performance-oriented, RAIDZ2 will be more likely to survive two drives failing.

That's good to know, and a point for freeNAS. I'd hate to have to re-rip 300 Blu Rays.

 

[dave_the_nerd]

That's good to know, and a point for freeNAS. I'd hate to have to re-rip 300 Blu Rays.

RAID is not a backup. Backup your Bluray rips.

*scold*

 

[XMan]

Well, I still have the disks. On the end that's the ultimate backup.

 

[dave_the_nerd]

Well, I still have the disks. On the end that's the ultimate backup.

Do you have children?

 

[XMan]

Yes, locked up where they can't get them. That's why I started doing a movie server in the first place.

 

[dave_the_nerd]

Good man!

 

[LoveMachine]

Yes, locked up where they can't get them.

Your disks or the children?

 

[XMan]

Your disks or the children?

You're not with CPS, are you? /shifty eyes