Build for simple RAID 1 NAS

[nick779]

Good morning everyone,

Ive spend the past few days reading up on as much as I can regarding simple nas boxes, and what the general hardware recommendations are for a NAS box as well as looking into Synology boxes as well.

I was looking at a Synology 214play and after seeing that it was $369 without drives, I figured I could do better building a SFF pc in a Node 304 or like case. I however didnt realize how much push there was for server boards and ECC RAM. Sourcing the parts alone would put me at around $550 with no drives.

Let me state my intentions for my NAS:

I want to be able to store my ~250GB movie collection (ALL MP4 , handful of .MKV), store a few disk images (~30gb each x3), and stream my movies to either a WDTV Live/Play or a Roku 3 using DLNA. All with some sort of redundancy in case of drive failure.

Currently I have an old hp mid tower I got for free running Win 7 Q9550/4GB, motherboard model unknown. It has 2x WD Blue 1TB drives in RAID 1, with separate partitions for the OS and Data.

My question is this, Can I build a simple, inexpensive intel based pc to run FreeNAS, provided I dont use a RAIDZ configuration? Is that the only type of config where ECC RAM is strongly recommended?

 

[Ericloewe]

ECC is a very strong recommendation for any server. It's really not that expensive - only compared to crummy components I wouldn't trust for a PoS (pun very much intended) system, much less a server.

Off the top of my head, you should be able to get the following:

X10SLL-F ~170 bucks
Intel Pentium G3220 ~60 bucks
8GB ECC RAM from the QVL (or Crucial) ~90 bucks
Appropriate chassis ~ 80 bucks
Seasonic G-360 ~ 80 bucks

That's 480 bucks without drives. You can get a cheaper PSU, but the extra cash for the Seasonic is probably worth it.

Of course, miniITX is going to be more expensive, by virtue of being a niche within a niche.

 

[sfcredfox]

Can I build a simple, inexpensive intel based pc to run FreeNAS, provided I dont use a RAIDZ configuration? Is that the only type of config where ECC RAM is strongly recommended?

I am curious what you mean by this? I suspect that since you only listed two drives, you mean 'I will be doing a mirror(s)'?

I'm not saying there's anything wrong with that, but just double checking you read the newbie guide and understand how you expand capacity in the FreeNAS world. I'm hoping you already know it's not like hardware/traditional RAID where you simply add a drive and change the parity from RAID1 to RAID5. How ever you create your vDevs is how you will need to continue to expand the storage.

For example, if you're going to create a pool with a mirror, if you want to expand it, it's most likely you're going to be doing all mirrors or backup all your data and destroy the pool to create it as a Z2/Z3/Z1.

If you aren't planning to expand ever, it's not a concern at all. Just double checking you already know this.

 

[nick779]

ECC is a very strong recommendation for any server. It's really not that expensive - only compared to crummy components I wouldn't trust for a PoS (pun very much intended) system, much less a server.

Off the top of my head, you should be able to get the following:

X10SLL-F ~170 bucks
Intel Pentium G3220 ~60 bucks
8GB ECC RAM from the QVL (or Crucial) ~90 bucks
Appropriate chassis ~ 80 bucks
Seasonic G-360 ~ 80 bucks

That's 480 bucks without drives. You can get a cheaper PSU, but the extra cash for the Seasonic is probably worth it.

Of course, miniITX is going to be more expensive, by virtue of being a niche within a niche.

And the G3220 should be plenty for 1-2 "streams" through mediabrowser/DLNA right? The guide in your sig recommended 3GHz+ for transcoding, however all of my files should not need transcoded IIRC.

Ive seen that generally the preferred drive of choice are the WD Reds, but since I already have two blues would there really be a problem running them RAID 1, or even buying another and going for a RAIDZ1 setup? Im not so sure that I need the double parity protection of RAIDZ2 (plus the associated cost of 4-6 more drives), my data isnt exactly "critical" and I have numerous backups for all of my computers on multiple drives. Ill eventually move towards a Z2 config, but thats going to be several years down the road provided this setup works well for me.

I priced everything out and using the components suggested the cost is about $460 If I can use my current blues. I can either do a straight mirror, or buy 1 extra drive and go for a Z1 config.

For my situation, are the WD Blues okay to keep using?
Should I stick with RAID 1 or should I buy an additional drive for Z1?

I am curious what you mean by this? I suspect that since you only listed two drives, you mean 'I will be doing a mirror(s)'?

I'm not saying there's anything wrong with that, but just double checking you read the newbie guide and understand how you expand capacity in the FreeNAS world. I'm hoping you already know it's not like hardware/traditional RAID where you simply add a drive and change the parity from RAID1 to RAID5. How ever you create your vDevs is how you will need to continue to expand the storage.

For example, if you're going to create a pool with a mirror, if you want to expand it, it's most likely you're going to be doing all mirrors or backup all your data and destroy the pool to create it as a Z2/Z3/Z1.

If you aren't planning to expand ever, it's not a concern at all. Just double checking you already know this.

I have over half of my 1TB drives empty, so I cant imagine needing to expand any time soon, and when I do I have no problem rebuilding the pool from scratch.

 

[Ericloewe]

For simple file sharing (including streaming without transcoding), the G3220 will do fine. Go with an i3 or Xeon if you want to transcode.

You can use your current drives, but be sure to test them first and don't forget you'll need somewhere to place the data temporarily, since they'll obviously need to be formatted.

 

[marbus90]

The Blues are fine for a start and with your backup solution I assume mirrors or raidz1 would be fine. With mirrors the pool is below 50% utilisation, that's just fine. No real need to run raidz there.

ITX doesn't need to be neccessarily more expensive:
Chassis: Node 304
PSU: Seasonic SSR-360GP
Mobo: ASRock E3C224D2I
CPU: G3220
RAM: 8GB ECC - Kingston KVR16LE11/8KF is on the QVL
========
486.95USD at Newegg

 

[nick779]

Now you guys have me thinking. After reading the documentation, Z2 is supported with 4 disks, so maybe I should just go that route and have some extra space to breathe into, with less worry.

http://doc.freenas.org/9.3/freenas_storage.html#volumes


Also, looking at the ARK page on that CPU it seems to only support 1333mhz RAM, I was looking at this RAM since its on the tested list for the X10 motherboard, but its DDR3 - 1600 MHz
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1012460-REG/crucial_ct102472bd160b_crucial_8gb_240p.html

I cant remember off hand, but wont the memory just run in 1333MHz instead or should I go with a different module?

Build so far:

Fractal design Node 304 - Newegg - $74.99
Supermicro MBD-X10SLL-F-O Newegg - $168.99 Now using the X10SLM+-F from Newegg $179.99
G3220 - Newegg - $57.99 Sticking with this model
Crucial 8GB DDR3-1600 Unbuffered ECC CT102472BD160B Link
Seasonic SSR-360GP - Newegg - $59.99
2-4x WD Red 1TB - Amazon/Newegg/Tigerdirect - $66.99

MISC:
1-2x Molex to dual SATA power - Newegg - $4
6x Sata cable - Newegg - $2 (Latching)

$620-754 total (Depending on drive count)

Does anyone see any problems with this proposed build?

 

[eldo]

nick779,

I was recently speccing out my system, and had initially thought of doing something similar to yours.
When it came to hard drives, I was planning on 4 drives in a Z1 configuration, but after consideration decided that I would max out my node304 with 6 drives and go Z2.
Since your board sports 6 sata ports, have you considered a couple of extra drives? It would expand your usable storage from 1.8 to 3.6 effectively doubling your capacity for roughly an extra $100.
Not that there's anything wrong with 4 drives in a z2, and you've already considered breaking and rebuilding the pool in the future if you do start topping out your pool, but just a thought.

 

[nick779]

nick779,

I was recently speccing out my system, and had initially thought of doing something similar to yours.
When it came to hard drives, I was planning on 4 drives in a Z1 configuration, but after consideration decided that I would max out my node304 with 6 drives and go Z2.
Since your board sports 6 sata ports, have you considered a couple of extra drives? It would expand your usable storage from 1.8 to 3.6 effectively doubling your capacity for roughly an extra $100.
Not that there's anything wrong with 4 drives in a z2, and you've already considered breaking and rebuilding the pool in the future if you do start topping out your pool, but just a thought.

Im considering just buying 4x 1TB reds and making a 6 disk pool; replacing the Blues as time goes on.

Can someone look over my build in post #7 and chime in on compatibility, whether I should get the slightly faster pentium and the RAM speeds?

 

[diedrichg]

The Supermicro boards come with SATA cables.

 

[Ericloewe]

The Supermicro boards come with SATA cables.

Crummy ones (at least compared to those shipped by most motherboard manufacturers).

Im considering just buying 4x 1TB reds and making a 6 disk pool; replacing the Blues as time goes on.

Can someone look over my build in post #7 and chime in on compatibility, whether I should get the slightly faster pentium and the RAM speeds?

It's a bit silly to upgrade to a G3240 - if anything, you'd upgrade to an i3.

Regarding the X10SLL+-F and the X10SLL-F, there's a guide for that: https://forums.freenas.org/index.ph...d-to-buy-a-supermicro-x10-motherboard….25951/

 

[nick779]

Crummy ones (at least compared to those shipped by most motherboard manufacturers).



It's a bit silly to upgrade to a G3240 - if anything, you'd upgrade to an i3.

Regarding the X10SLL+-F and the X10SLL-F, there's a guide for that: https://forums.freenas.org/index.php?threads/so-you’ve-decided-to-buy-a-supermicro-x10-motherboard….25951/

Looking at the potential memory compatibility problems with the X10 SLL-F has I think ill drop another $10 on the X10SLM+-F from Newegg. That should be compatible with the RAM I have selected from the Memory Recommendations thread correct?

 

[Ericloewe]

Looking at the potential memory compatibility problems with the X10 SLL-F has I think ill drop another $10 on the X10SLM+-F from Newegg. That should be compatible with the RAM I have selected from the Memory Recommendations thread correct?

Yeah

 

[marbus90]

FYI, I put two X10SLL-F with 4x8GB Crucial DIMMs in each in preproduction just two days ago. so far they're not acting up.

 

[nick779]

Question: I just stumbled on another thread saying that plex eats up another 1-2gb of RAM when IDLE. Luckily I shouldnt have to transcode anything (All files MP4, only a few MKV) but will the RAM usage be a problem considering my small storage pool? (4-6x 1tb in Z2)

 

[Ericloewe]

Plex is tight with 8GB of RAM. 16GB should be ok.

 

[nick779]

Would a UPS like THIS be enough to tie over the NAS for ~20-30 minutes? Its the APC Back-UPS Pro BR1000.
I checked the manual and it looks like its compatible with the UPS service within FreeNAS. Do any of you have experience with using that service for automated NAS shutdowns?

 

[Ericloewe]

Works fine, if the 900 model is any indication. With my server, my router (rather ancient hardware) and a basic 8-port GbE switch, it lasts a little under an hour.

 

[nick779]

Well, heres the final build I ordered Sunday:

Pentium G3240 (It was $2 more than the 3220 on amazon)
X10SLM+-F
Crucial 8GB DDR3-1600 Unbuffered ECC
Seasonic SSR-360GP
2x WD Red 1TB
APC BR1000G UPS

Recycling 2 1TB Blues from my old media server.

Down the road when I have more money to spare she'll get another 8GB stick and 2-4 more reds

For the time being, what would be the best configuration of the drives? should I put the blues in the middle and the reds on the outside? I may swap out the rear fan for a 2300rpm 120mm Delta I have laying around as well to keep the blues cool

 

[sremick]

Down the road when I have more money to spare she'll get another 8GB stick and 2-4 more reds

To avoid unpleasant surprises and to make sure you've done your reading, it'd be worth outlining your plans on how you specifically intend to integrate your additional drives with your existing mirrored pair.