Media server/File server build

suhasurkude

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Dec 27, 2013
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Hello folks,

This is my first attempt building something from scratch. Here's the requirement so far

1) File server/NAS appliance with 5 HDDs (supporting eSATA with capacity of 2TB each) with Raid-4
2) One SSD drive for boot
3) Dedicated Raid controller
4) Backup server
5) Media server
6) Blu ray drive
7) Would be connected to my onkyo receiver for playing media files and watching movies from
blu-ray drive

Can someone recommend me a build that would satisfy above requirements. At this point i'm
not interested in making it a gaming build, but if i need to go for better graphics card to play personal media or blu ray movies, then i would consider that. I'm also looking for recommendations for NAS software and media player that would be needed to achieve the above functionality.

Thank your very much for helping this newbie :)

 
Solution
For file sharing you can just give access to your hard drive through windows, you can even set a password i believe. If you want to stream pictures, music, and videos, I suggest using PLEX. There are other options but I am unfamiliar with them. PLEX even has mobile apps (though these aren't free) so you can stream to your phone or tablet.

bob hays

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Nov 21, 2012
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For file sharing you can just give access to your hard drive through windows, you can even set a password i believe. If you want to stream pictures, music, and videos, I suggest using PLEX. There are other options but I am unfamiliar with them. PLEX even has mobile apps (though these aren't free) so you can stream to your phone or tablet.
 
Solution

tyranthoth

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Dec 10, 2011
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Ok a couple of things
1. Mob has a built-in Raid controller no need for Dedicated
2. This is more powerful than needed but it never hurts to have more than needed when your only looking at a savings of $80-$120 on this type of system.
3. OS Recommendation: I personal would simple use a linux home server OS it's free and your not using the system for games or if you prefer to have the option of more main stream software go with Microsoft Windows Home Server 2011 <http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832416443> $60.00
PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/2reNt
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/2reNt/by_merchant/
Benchmarks: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/2reNt/benchmarks/

CPU: AMD FX-8350 4.0GHz 8-Core Processor ($198.99 @ SuperBiiz)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 Plus 76.8 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($27.97 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-990FXA-UD7 ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($197.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: PNY XLR8 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($127.58 @ Amazon)
Storage: Intel 530 Series 180GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($119.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($88.98 @ OutletPC)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($88.98 @ OutletPC)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($88.98 @ OutletPC)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($88.98 @ OutletPC)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($88.98 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: Gigabyte Radeon R7 260X 2GB Video Card ($139.99 @ Amazon)
Case: Silverstone SST-GD08B (Black) HTPC Case ($139.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Silverstone Strider Plus 500W 80+ Bronze Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($79.43 @ NCIX US)
Optical Drive: LG WH14NS40 Blu-Ray/DVD/CD Writer ($59.99 @ TigerDirect)
Total: $1535.82
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-12-27 19:17 EST-0500)
 

suhasurkude

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Dec 27, 2013
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Thank you. Streaming isn't working very well for me, the performance that i observed was very slow videos. I was streaming from my Netgear router with hard drive connected via USB 3.0.
 

suhasurkude

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Dec 27, 2013
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10,510


Thanks a bunch for this.

Few follow up questions
1) Does the build in Raid controller in mbo perform as good as the dedicated one. Performance of reads and writes is important to me.
2) I have a mix of windows and mac laptops which would be backed up on this, so i suppose it's okay to have backup server as a linux system, right?
3) Last time i tried linux, it lacked good media players that had support for all kinds of medias. I hope things are better now. Would it also be able to play blu ray disks and other high-def personal media?
4) Is it possible to start out with 3 drives and add two more later on?
5) This is way over the budget i was planning for, any chance i could go with something cheaper :)
 

tyranthoth

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Dec 10, 2011
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1) Raid controller on the Extreme boards a lot of the time will out perform a dedicate in basic raid configurations
2&3) Use Linux since it's a mix it will work as a better go between and Ubunto had some good ones on it the last time I used it and that was a couple of years ago.
4) You can start with 3 and add two but it can cause some configuration issues later without wiping the drives and starting over not fun
5) I would not cut the mob quality,brand change would be fine if you can find something cheaper but you can cut CPU-RAM-CASE-Corsair has a nice 600w for less right now