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New Storage Server Build

twodaend

Member
I'm planning on building a storage/backup server out of some new/old parts I have. Currently I have 2 desktop and 2 laptops. The first desktop is my HTPC which used Beyond TV and has 2 500 GB drives. My second PC is the family PC, but it does everything. It has has 5 500 GB drives (storage & backups for all machines) and 1 200 GB drive partitioned for OS, Pictures, and downloaded programs. As for the 5 500 GB drives, 3 are used for backup, JBOD and the other 2 for music, DVD's and video from camcorder. What I'm looking to do is take all of the backup and most of the storage part and move it to a different machine on the network.

So far this is what I'm looking at:
Case - http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16811208019"]Case[/URL]
MB - Abit KR7A (have)
CPU - AMD 1800+ (have)
RAM - 4x256MB PC2100 (have)
Video - AGP ATI something (have)
HD - WD 500 GB IDE (have may get 1 or 2 new)
HD Controller - Promise 100 TX2 (have currently in family PC)
HD Controller - Promise 133 TX2 (have)
OS - http://bfish.xaedalus.net/?p=188"]Ubuntu with mdadm for RAID 5[/url]
NIC - cheap 10/100/1000 (need to find one)
PS - ??????

Since I already have the IDE controllers I'll just use the 500 GB IDE drives I have. I have to research if I can use both at the same time, mostly likely I won't though. I know I won't get hot swap, but I already have these controllers and the MB does not have SATA. With all of these HD's I'm not sure what PS I should get. I currently have a 400 watt in the family PC in which I've been thinking of going larger, but never have. It came with my case, the X-Dreamer II.

Thanks for the help
 
I would say that you might get more of a response in the Power Supply section of the forum, even though your question also relates to storage. Also, what are you looking for in a power supply? Does 80PLUS matter to you? How about how noisy the power supply is? Room for future expansion? Modular cables?
 
I'm new to PS terms. In the past, I would usually get a case with a PS and that would do. Now with more HD's and I'm finding out that all PS are not equal, this is something I need to pay more attention too. As for noise, not a bid deal as long as it is not super loud. At some point when I get a bigger house, this server will be out of site, so noise will be a lesser issue.
 
There are a number of good primers on PSU terminology written by JonnyGuru that are stickied in the PSU forum. Even if you don't read all of them word for word, it'd be a good way to build your knowledge base.
 
Twodaend,

Funny you post this! I have some parts very similar to you especially the CPU.

Im going to look into that OS you linked. What do you think about FreeNas also?
 
I haven't had a chance to try FreeNas, but I heard it was pretty good. I was thinking of before going final with this box, test Ubuntu and FreeNas each for a week or two and see which one I like. However, if I had to pick now, I would be leaning more towards Ubuntu.
 
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