NAS or custom-built file-server

[splat_ed]

I'm looking to build/get a file server in the very near future (~1-2 months depending on savings/SO permission!). And coincidentally I read through the recent article about building a file-server.

Being based in Japan does limit some of my choices, but I was originally looking at a QNAP TS-419P+ (not decided on HDDs yet). Now I'm thinking about a custom built server instead.

To answer the sticky:

1. File/media server - streaming audio and video to laptop/main PC/PS3 and TV. (Was thinking about dual-purpose HTPC if possible but it would need to be on nearly 24/7)

2. Approx 70,000-80,000 yen (~$700-$800 going for a sensible exchange rate) (about the same as the QNAP TS-419P+ with 4 HDDs)

3. Japan

4.No preference - I've used NVidia, ATI, AMD, Intel, VIA

5. No re-used parts

6. Yes - the file-server article, previous NAS/File-server/HTPC threads. Regular reader/lurker

7. Possibly minor overclocking to get better bang for the buck.

8. If dual-use HTPC, then 1080p TV but got a gaming PC already

9. 1-2 months time

The key requirements are quiet (if not silent) - I'm in a small apartment so it would be sitting in the living room almost next to the TV, possibly inside a cupboard.

Max size 36x36x36 cm if it's to go where I really would prefer it...

 

[mfenn]

First things first, you do not want to put any type of PC in an enclosed cupboard. Even an Atom will burn up in such a small enclose space. Second, given those space restrictions, you are looking at mini-ITX. Something like the Fractal Array is pricy, but will hold a good number of drives and just barely fit.

For the rest of the system, you can go really vanilla.

Pentium G620
ASRock H67M-ITX
DDR3 1333 4GB

That should be something like $450 and since the case comes with a PSU, you really only need to add as many 2TB HDDs as you feel like. The G620 should also be able to handle whatever video decoding that you want to throw at it.

 

[splat_ed]

Thanks mfenn. The area is not completely enclosed but it is as good as... I can put it on top of the cupboard (whether SO will like it there is a different matter) but ultimately it would be near the tv and hence need to be very quiet. The other option would be to add wireless to it, then it can go in my study. I'll look into these a bit more.

 

[splat_ed]

After a bit more reading, I'm going to go with the dedicated route - Seperate NAS & HTPC.

Looking at Zap's recommendation in a seperate thread of Asus E35M1-I deluxe, 2 GB Kingston memory and Fractal Design Array R2 case.

Now for the HDDs and OS. I know a little about linux, but probably go for WHS 2011. Amazon.co.jp (best/cheapest supplier near me) do WHS with Western Digital Caviar Green drive. Is this a good drive? If so, I'll probably look at at least another 1 or more to start with and a seperate boot drive (small SSD?).

Assuming RAID 5, how easy is it to grow the RAID array? i.e. if I want to add more HDDs or swap for larger HDDs in the future.

 

[mfenn]

A Cav Green is a good drive for a file server. It's fast enough that the network is going to be a bottleneck anyway, and its quiet and low power. Good choice.

Some RAID systems support growing a RAID5, but not all. I don't believe that Windows Server supports growing RAID5 volumes without additional software.

 

[Spikesoldier]

A Cav Green is a good drive for a file server. It's fast enough that the network is going to be a bottleneck anyway, and its quiet and low power. Good choice.

Some RAID systems support growing a RAID5, but not all. I don't believe that Windows Server supports growing RAID5 volumes without additional software.

cav. green is a good drive yes, but not good once you put them to RAID use. i would advise against a RAID5 with these same drives.

http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=2190909

 

[Spikesoldier]

splat, i would recommend checking out freenas.

i believe they have the project ported to japanese language so it may appeal to you.

 

[splat_ed]

Spikesoldier, what would you recommend for HDDs then? I've just done some more reading about this issue.

Might as well ask at the same time, is RAID 5 the way to go? I'm looking for availability. Backups are done on my main pc to blu-ray.

Also, for the boot drive, can that be part of the array or is a seperate drive a good idea?

And finally, my Japanese is currently awful. I'm actually from England originally. So any OS has to have an English mode

EDIT: It looks like it'll have to be a linux/bsd box as I can only order Japanese WHS here, and there is no easy way to change languages that I can find.

 

[Spikesoldier]

splat,

i've had good luck with samsung drives. my favorite is the 103SJ model.

ive got four 103SJ's and two 753LJ's in my freenas server and run softraid RAID 1 on everything, so i have two 1TB mirrors and a 750GB mirror. i personally think that drives over 1TB are too unreliable as the chances for a defective sector increase with density.

i use an old 1GB usb thumbdrive from 2006 to hold freenas OS and boot from. i think its simpler than having it on a host disk.

no experience with RAID5 but it seems like it would be a much better use of disk capacity than my current solution. but i plan to make the leap to ZFS instead, when i get disk seven and eight in my fileserver. i might even buy a few more 103SJ's and go with eight of those in a ZFS pool and use my 753LJ's elsewhere.