Best Hard Drive for Windows Home Server 2011

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bimde

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Feb 1, 2013
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Hello,
I will be installing Windows Home server 2011 onto a desktop this weekend and I need a solid HDD for all the data, because my ssd is only enough for the OS. This server will be on 24/7 and I will be doing nightly backups of at least 3 laptops. I will also be doing media streaming to a ps3, running a print server, and using remote access (through internet). I have about $100 to spend and need at least 2 TB of storage. I can go up to $120 if it will make a BIG difference. I was wondering if there are any recommended drives for 24/7 server use other than the WD red drives I have been keeping an eye on lately ($110).
I will take any suggestions or advice, thank you.
 
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popatim

popatim

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WD reds are a nas drive not a server drive. Server drives tend to be high performance drive 10k-15k rpm speeds. I dont think those are for you either, anyways they are way out of your budget.

I would go for a Seagate or WD Blue.

You might want to think about grabbing two 1tb drives instead and splitting your heaviest workloads up by putting them on separate drive. For example you could have the media you plan on streaming on one drive and have backups & remote access files on another that way activity on the one drive wont affect your streaming.

Think about grabbing a second gigabit nic for the same reason if you find that the network bandwidth is the limiting factor.

Lastly, plan for a backup strategy. All drives fail and you need to protect your important data.
 
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bimde

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But WD blue drives aren't rated for 24/7 operation. How about WD re4 drives? I will have to only get 1 TB though is I go that route. And for the backup, I have a external usb 2.0 (slow, but steady) 1.5 tb drive, so server backups are covered through that.
Is it really worth it to get half the storage and get an re4 drive? I will not be doing anything seriously bandwidth intensive.
To tell you guys the truth, the reason I'm building this server is for experience and because my parents keep nagging me about security on their pc, updates, crashing and large files on their laptops taking up space. I am that "go to guy" in our house for tech issues and I am having a VERY hard time dealing with these problems. A centralized storage solution, back ups to help those crashing issues and being able to see the status of their computers wirelessly will be night and day for me. The media part is the second purpose, and I don't believe I should spent extra because of it. I am 14 XD and I am using Birthday money and gift cards to fund this project... :p
 
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bimde

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So you'd recommend (2) 1 Tb drives over (1) 2 Tb drive? Won't it be pretty secure if I back up on a external hard drive instead? Or am I completely wrong...

 
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iiTzzDeFuze

iiTzzDeFuze

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Yes for redundancy, Isn't that the what we're aiming for? Since you are backing up important data. Doesnt matter if it's Internal or External both will work just like the other one will. Besides the External drive being easier to access and open to air unlike the internal HDD, but it can be knocked over if its not in a safe invironment unlike the internal HDD where it is bolted to something and it's immobilized.
 
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bimde

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Ok, makes sense. So picking up a Western Digital Red 2TB drive and backing it up to my 1.5 TB External Drive (which I already own) would suit my needs then? Or is the 1 TB WD RE4 drive worth it for the same price?
 
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iiTzzDeFuze

iiTzzDeFuze

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Yes, but when you put 2 HDD with different sizes on a RAID it will use the total size of the smallest drive. For an example, if you RAID 1 a 2TB and 1.5TB HDD you'll have a single drive 1.5TB in size.

If you need help setting up a RAID 1 Array fell free to ask.
 
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popatim

popatim

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You're backing up to an external drive is way better than raid1. In raid 1 if your parents accidentally delete your media folder its gone from both raid drives at the same time. Raid is for keeping your server up in case a drive fails. If something takes out your server (large voltage spike for example) then the only thing you have is your backup.

As for the 24/7 ... you won't be using your sever 24/7 so it won't stay awake either. Pretty much any drive but those intended for security/ surveillence will work just fine. I have green drives in mine. (2 WD, 2 Samsung F4)

Do you have an old drive or two to use for the OS (OS plus backup OS)?
If not let me warn you that selecting a drive to backup the OS during install will take the entire drive as the OS backup drive (and you can't make it use less). LoL

If you do have an spare drive for the OS, there is a trick to get whs11 to install to a drive under 160gb even though a 40 is more than enough room....
 
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bimde

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I installed the server on my 120 ssd today morning using that trick. I'm about to go buy the drive now. A blue or green drive is $100 and a red is $106, I;m thinking I might as well spend the extra $6 for the extra year of warranty and supposedly better reliability. What do you think?
As for the backup, I have a 1.5 tb external drive. That's it.
So my storage configuration is:
120 GB kingston SSD
2 TB (which ever drive I end up buying)
and
1.5 TB Seagate external usb 2.0 drive for backups.
 
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FireWire2

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May be this to late for you, but
Since your system runs 24/7 and no RAID
ANY HDD would work. But i would consider this.
- Use a low cost SATA for OS, put the money forward to 3TB data hdd instead - you're gonna need it
- Must use AHCI mode, because NCQ will help your HDD to multitask: stream and store new data at the same time.

To streaming BD.ISO (1080p & DTSHD), it needs about 65Mb/s, where 40Mb/s for video and audio 24Mb/s.

A single HDD in AHCI protocol can read/write in random mode about 40MB/s (400Mb/s). Which is WAY OVERKILL for streaming HD. You can even stream to multiple locations ijn you house

The question is: how good is your network. Gb all across with decent Gb switch and decent NIC.
Intel NIC beats Realtek NIC many time over - so get the MB with Intel NIC than you wont have headache

Have fun with your project
 
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