Network Storage Advice

[amcdonald]

I need a file server for autocad files, and only 4-6 users will be active at one time.
I have a windows server running an ATA RAID 5 (4x40gb drives) right now, but that's been in use for almost 3 years. Also, I'm not reusing the server license on this fileserver, because I'll be moving it to another machine asap.
I'm looking into NAS as a solution, but I'm not sure if I could get by with just a new desktop with a new, larger array (80x5) running xp pro or something cheap.

Anyone got some advice on what I should be looking at?
I just need reliable and quick, but I have a feeling that the dell NAS is just overkill.

 

[piasabird]

I dont know much about servers, but you might want to look at a system based on SATA RAID. You could easily spend $10,000 on a server, but you might get by with about 2,000-4,000 if you use the right parts. Asus makes a few Workstation and server boards. Some of them can handle say a Dual Xeon at 800Mhz FSB and DDR400 RAM.

 

[Sideswipe001]

I think he only needs a computer to do storage.

How much stoarge space do you need really? Why not just grab the slowest computer you have and throw 4x200GB IDE hard drives in it? Put windows 2000 on it and span them. Or get an additional PCI based RAID controller or IDE controller and add even more drives. You don't need a fast processor or lots of RAM to share file space on a network.

 

[amcdonald]

Originally posted by: Sideswipe001
I think he only needs a computer to do storage.

How much stoarge space do you need really? Why not just grab the slowest computer you have and throw 4x200GB IDE hard drives in it? Put windows 2000 on it and span them. Or get an additional PCI based RAID controller or IDE controller and add even more drives. You don't need a fast processor or lots of RAM to share file space on a network.

Thanks for responding.
Only about 60gb are in use now, and I don't see that figure doubling within the next 3 years, so I'm wanting to use a 4x80gb drive raid 5 array just to make sure it can just stay there for 3 years without upgrading.

I'd like to go with hardware raid no matter what, just because they are opening 50mb files which autosave every few minutes.

I'd also like to buy from a retailer (e.g. dell) since I'm dealing with a server.
How much does system performance affect a raid array if it's using it's own processor?
Or to put it another way, at what point will I see transfer speed suffer from system limitations?

 

[LeadMagnet]

Dell is selling the Power Edge 400SC for $323 with a P4 2.8GHz, 128MB ram, and a 80GB drive.

Just upgrade the drives to 160GB and add a 2nd drive and use a SATA RAID controller ($99) in a RAID1 mirror setup. Load up XP sp2 and you are ready to go, nice and easy. Total $781




Of Course Dell also sells it PowerVault 745N turnkey solution which is all setup and ready to go as a NAS server and scales to 4TB abd starts at $1600



and the PowerVault 775N scales to 40TB and starts at $3464



anything beyond that you are dealing with a DELL/EMC $olution


and then there is the mother of performance storage solutions