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Storage server (Should I build 2 inexpensive ones or just 1 with a raid)

A

Arkitech

Diamond Member
So I'm trying to decide if I should build 2 servers for rendundant storage or if I should just use one box with a RAID. I'm thinking with 2 inexpensive boxes I have a much better chance of protecting my data in case one of them goes down. (viruses/component failure/electrical surges/act of nature)

Another consideration is what parts should I use for a cheap server, I need a good case and power supply for starters. But I'm unsure about what type of processor I would need and how much memory to use. Since the box will only be used to store data and nothing else I'm a little unsure about what components to use.

Finally the last thing I'm curious about is the hard drives. I hear some people talk about 7200.10 drives, are they more reliable? Also how do I identify which drives are server rated and what percentage of reliability they operate on?

thanks for any info
 
I guess it depends on your budget and how important this data is to you. As far as specs to the box(s), it can be some really slow processor and not too much ram since it's just for file storage. Maybe you could even go for some of those really small via mobo+cpu things that use almost no power.
 
it'll be more of a hassle to backup data on to two seperate servers. a faster and more efficient way of doing it is to set up a RAID 1.

since you only need this server for storage, any budget dell poweredge server will do. make sure to get a hardware RAID card though. also, you should backup to a removable device such as a dvd, external hdd, tape, etc.
 
I wouldn't trust any of the dell cerc hardware raid.. they're pos..

http://tweakers.net/reviews/557/15

The cerc are mostly based on these adaptec 2610sa, which uses the IPO 302/303 processor.. they're slow as hell..

Better off buying an areca to replaced it..

I myself have 2 dell poweredge 1u 750, one with wd 500gb re2 with areca pci-x controller, the other with seagate barracuda 750 with areca pci-x controller.

Production server replicates data in real time using EMC replistor software to 2nd server which connects to a Quantum SDLT 320 tape drive for backups.

I deleted my dell cerc results but this is the areca in raid 1 mode. http://pics.bbzzdd.com/users/GrammatonJP/ArecaR1.jpg 2-3x faster than my dell/adaptec cerc adapters
 
Originally posted by: Arkitech
Finally the last thing I'm curious about is the hard drives. I hear some people talk about 7200.10 drives, are they more reliable? Also how do I identify which drives are server rated and what percentage of reliability they operate on?
Click to expand...

hdd manufacture almost never publish that...

seagate barracuda ES - not out yet, 24/7 operation at .73%. Hard to tell what regular barracuda are rated on..
http://www.seagate.com/docs/pdf/marketing/po_barracuda_es.pdf


http://www.wdc.com/en/products/index.asp?cat=2
wd re2 - 100% duty cycle rated at 24/7

wd re - 80% duty cycle rated at 24/7
 
How much data are we talking? Is the data going to be backed up anywhere else? I'm not sure what league we're aiming for here, but one obvious advantage to having 2 servers is the ability to have them located at two different facilities, in case one of them burns down etc.
 
Originally posted by: unfalliblekrutch
I guess it depends on your budget and how important this data is to you. As far as specs to the box(s), it can be some really slow processor and not too much ram since it's just for file storage. Maybe you could even go for some of those really small via mobo+cpu things that use almost no power.
Click to expand...

I'm kind of operating on a tight budget, somewhere between 500-700 bucks
 
Originally posted by: Skeeedunt
How much data are we talking? Is the data going to be backed up anywhere else? I'm not sure what league we're aiming for here, but one obvious advantage to having 2 servers is the ability to have them located at two different facilities, in case one of them burns down etc.
Click to expand...

We're talking a few terabytes of data. After mulling it over today I think I would be better off with 2 servers that mirror each other. I can't really afford an expensive tape backup system, but with 2 servers I can always find a good deal on a hard drive when I need more space and I can have my data readily accessible as opposed to loading up cartridges or DVDs.


So now I just need to determine what kind of cpu/mobo/case I would need for building a server that can accommodate several drives.
 
Originally posted by: Arkitech
Originally posted by: Skeeedunt
How much data are we talking? Is the data going to be backed up anywhere else? I'm not sure what league we're aiming for here, but one obvious advantage to having 2 servers is the ability to have them located at two different facilities, in case one of them burns down etc.
Click to expand...

We're talking a few terabytes of data.
Click to expand...

that's a lot of pr0n. it'll be hard to find a server with a few terrabytes of storage for under $1000. one 500gb drive is about $300. if you get two of them (1TB), it'll already be $600, and that's not including the server or the RAID controller.

are you sure you meant terrabytes?
 
Originally posted by: InlineFour
Originally posted by: Arkitech
Originally posted by: Skeeedunt
How much data are we talking? Is the data going to be backed up anywhere else? I'm not sure what league we're aiming for here, but one obvious advantage to having 2 servers is the ability to have them located at two different facilities, in case one of them burns down etc.
Click to expand...

We're talking a few terabytes of data.
Click to expand...

that's a lot of pr0n. it'll be hard to find a server with a few terrabytes of storage for under $1000. one 500gb drive is about $300. if you get two of them (1TB), it'll already be $600, and that's not including the server or the RAID controller.

are you sure you meant terrabytes?
Click to expand...


yep, I have sooo much friggin data, most of it is video (hi-def stuff). I'm thinking of building 2 inexpensive boxes with a 20-40 gig main drive and a 500 gig secondary drive. As those fill up I'll just go out and grab a couple of more 500+ gig drives until I max out the case.
 
You can use an old p3 or p4 setup. You don't need a "quality" case. that =$$$. You need a quality PSU
Like others have said.
Cheap cpu+mobo combo a gig of RAM, and hard drives. Don't bother putting a CD-ROM in full time, use a usb drive or remove the CD-ROM when you're done.
For the price range you're wanting and the amount of data that is being talked about Go with an IDE/SATA RAID array. 1 machine is all you need.
 
Originally posted by: JeffreyLebowski
You can use an old p3 or p4 setup. You don't need a "quality" case. that =$$$. You need a quality PSU
Like others have said.
Cheap cpu+mobo combo a gig of RAM, and hard drives. Don't bother putting a CD-ROM in full time, use a usb drive or remove the CD-ROM when you're done.
For the price range you're wanting and the amount of data that is being talked about Go with an IDE/SATA RAID array. 1 machine is all you need.
Click to expand...


You should opt for a case of at least decent quality. If the drives get heavy use and have bad airflow, they will get very hot and they would be likely to fail.

A good chassis with a bit of airflow for the drives bays will preserve the drives a lot better, especially if you have them close together.
 
btw, the new seagate .10s use perpendicular recording I believe. I could be wrong, because the people who make the price lists at my store are more technologically illiterate than a bunch of sudanese refugees. (not trying to insult the sudanese refugees or anything). Anyways, that was my impression. Can someone confirm that?
 
Originally posted by: Talcite
btw, the new seagate .10s use perpendicular recording I believe. I could be wrong, because the people who make the price lists at my store are more technologically illiterate than a bunch of sudanese refugees. (not trying to insult the sudanese refugees or anything). Anyways, that was my impression. Can someone confirm that?
Click to expand...

They use a perpendicular drive setting. Its suposed to be a bit faster and it allows the hard drive plates to store more data. Hence why seagate is the only company right now with a 750gig hard drive.

I just dropped in two on my NAS box this weekend. Fry's had a hell of a sale at 399 each. They dont apear that much faster then my old 500gigz, but they sure add to a hugh increase in my storage room.

Also i found it very important to have at least 1gig of ram on a NAS box. I posted pictures of it in the case and cooling section. The CPU isnt important and neither is the board, if you run out of IDE's, then drop in a IDE card, if you run out of SATA, then drop in a SATA card. Thats all the ends of it.

Also if your having to back up 200+Gigs of data every week, i feel your pain, and i would just raid 1 it. Having 2 sets written at the same time saves a lot more time then having to write it over to server 2 though even a 1gb network connection. :\
 
what's the pricing for the 250gb model? and what's it actually called? just barracuda ES? no .10 or whatever?
 
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