This is my first home server build. I am doing this for a friend so if anyone can please advise me on the parts I've chosen and how I would go about setting it up be appreciated. His uses will be as follows:
- File sharing among 2 computers, 2 tablets, 5 smart phones, over gigabit Ethernet LAN and WiFi AC mixed network. Possible scenario: 5 users reading/writing multi GB files to/from data array
- Media streaming to HTPC and possibly all other devices, possibly 3 direct streams 1080p and possibly 1 - 2 simultaneous 1080p streams (most probably won't have any transcoding, but nice to know in case ever need be)
- Would like either the ability to stream 4K content, or have the upgrade ability to add the feature
- Remote access to network and files
- Remote backup of files from office / weekly basis
- Headless, or not, but should be easy to maintain by friend without too much tweaking or running command lines
- As power efficient as possible, will be on 24/7
EXAMPLE SCENARIO: All actions done simultaneously
x2 1080p streams: 1 to HTPC connected via Ethernet, and another tablet connected via WiFi
x1 on the fly transcode 1080p to a 720p smartphone
x3 users reading/writing multi GB files to data pool drives
x1 transferring via FTP download torrents from seed box
As far as the data array, my idea was as follows:
Seagate STEB5000100
Quantity: 3
Size: 3.5"
Capacity: 5TB (15TB)
Raid 5
Purpose: Mass storage of all files/media. Serve files to all devices, possibly 5 users. transfer media to HTPC and other devices 1080p streaming, possibly 2 or 3 live transcodes simultaneously
WD Green WD20EZRX
Quantity: 2
Size: 3.5"
Capacity: 2TB (4TB)
Raid 1
Purpose: Store most important documents [which will also be backed up to another off site external hard drive) + Backup all devices 3 - 7 day intervals + Offsite Backup of office files 3 - 7 day interval
Toshiba MQ01ABD100
Quantity: 1
Size: 2.5"
Capacity: 1TB
Purpose: FTP files/media from shared seedbox server for virus scanning and extra storage before being moved to main 15TB storage array for sharing. Will not require heavy reading or writing.
Patriot Blaze SSD PB60GS25SSDR
Quantity: 1
Size: 2.5"
Capacity: 60GB
Purpose: Server OS Drive
Looking at the above usage and drives, I wanted to ask the following:
1. Is the CPU/Motherboard/RAM combo good enough to handle the tasks outlined above? If not, please suggest alternative HW
2. Can the motherboard handle 2 different raid arrays at the capacity listed above? Or should I buy a hardware RAID card?
3. What server OS should I install? FreeNas, Windows Home Server, Windows Server 2012 R2? If none, please suggest alternative OS that
4. What file system should I use? Is ZFS better?
5. Should I add in a APC?
6. What software would I use to backup the office computers + backup home computers + remote access to server from phone or computer?
Any suggestions/advice are appreciated and requested.
The Proposed Build:
CPU: Intel Core i3-4160 3.6GHz Dual-Core Processor ($99.95 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: ASRock H97M Anniversary Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($62.10 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: Kingston 8GB (1 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($45.90 @ SuperBiiz)
Storage: Patriot Blaze 60GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($39.98 @ Newegg)
Storage: Toshiba 1TB 2.5" 5400RPM Internal Hard Drive ($53.10 @ SuperBiiz)
Storage: Western Digital WD Green 2TB 3.5" 5400RPM Internal Hard Drive ($71.10 @ SuperBiiz)
Storage: Western Digital WD Green 2TB 3.5" 5400RPM Internal Hard Drive ($71.10 @ SuperBiiz)
Storage: Seagate Expansion 5TB Desktop External Hard Drive USB 3.0 (STEB5000100) ($129.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Seagate Expansion 5TB Desktop External Hard Drive USB 3.0 (STEB5000100) ($129.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Seagate Expansion 5TB Desktop External Hard Drive USB 3.0 (STEB5000100) ($129.99 @ Amazon)
Case: Antec One ATX Mid Tower Case ($34.99 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: SeaSonic 300W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($33.30 @ SuperBiiz)
Total: $901.49
As a side note here is a comparison I did for my friend who was planning on buying a Lenovo ThinkServer TS140:
- File sharing among 2 computers, 2 tablets, 5 smart phones, over gigabit Ethernet LAN and WiFi AC mixed network. Possible scenario: 5 users reading/writing multi GB files to/from data array
- Media streaming to HTPC and possibly all other devices, possibly 3 direct streams 1080p and possibly 1 - 2 simultaneous 1080p streams (most probably won't have any transcoding, but nice to know in case ever need be)
- Would like either the ability to stream 4K content, or have the upgrade ability to add the feature
- Remote access to network and files
- Remote backup of files from office / weekly basis
- Headless, or not, but should be easy to maintain by friend without too much tweaking or running command lines
- As power efficient as possible, will be on 24/7
EXAMPLE SCENARIO: All actions done simultaneously
x2 1080p streams: 1 to HTPC connected via Ethernet, and another tablet connected via WiFi
x1 on the fly transcode 1080p to a 720p smartphone
x3 users reading/writing multi GB files to data pool drives
x1 transferring via FTP download torrents from seed box
As far as the data array, my idea was as follows:
Seagate STEB5000100
Quantity: 3
Size: 3.5"
Capacity: 5TB (15TB)
Raid 5
Purpose: Mass storage of all files/media. Serve files to all devices, possibly 5 users. transfer media to HTPC and other devices 1080p streaming, possibly 2 or 3 live transcodes simultaneously
WD Green WD20EZRX
Quantity: 2
Size: 3.5"
Capacity: 2TB (4TB)
Raid 1
Purpose: Store most important documents [which will also be backed up to another off site external hard drive) + Backup all devices 3 - 7 day intervals + Offsite Backup of office files 3 - 7 day interval
Toshiba MQ01ABD100
Quantity: 1
Size: 2.5"
Capacity: 1TB
Purpose: FTP files/media from shared seedbox server for virus scanning and extra storage before being moved to main 15TB storage array for sharing. Will not require heavy reading or writing.
Patriot Blaze SSD PB60GS25SSDR
Quantity: 1
Size: 2.5"
Capacity: 60GB
Purpose: Server OS Drive
Looking at the above usage and drives, I wanted to ask the following:
1. Is the CPU/Motherboard/RAM combo good enough to handle the tasks outlined above? If not, please suggest alternative HW
2. Can the motherboard handle 2 different raid arrays at the capacity listed above? Or should I buy a hardware RAID card?
3. What server OS should I install? FreeNas, Windows Home Server, Windows Server 2012 R2? If none, please suggest alternative OS that
4. What file system should I use? Is ZFS better?
5. Should I add in a APC?
6. What software would I use to backup the office computers + backup home computers + remote access to server from phone or computer?
Any suggestions/advice are appreciated and requested.
The Proposed Build:
CPU: Intel Core i3-4160 3.6GHz Dual-Core Processor ($99.95 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: ASRock H97M Anniversary Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($62.10 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: Kingston 8GB (1 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($45.90 @ SuperBiiz)
Storage: Patriot Blaze 60GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($39.98 @ Newegg)
Storage: Toshiba 1TB 2.5" 5400RPM Internal Hard Drive ($53.10 @ SuperBiiz)
Storage: Western Digital WD Green 2TB 3.5" 5400RPM Internal Hard Drive ($71.10 @ SuperBiiz)
Storage: Western Digital WD Green 2TB 3.5" 5400RPM Internal Hard Drive ($71.10 @ SuperBiiz)
Storage: Seagate Expansion 5TB Desktop External Hard Drive USB 3.0 (STEB5000100) ($129.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Seagate Expansion 5TB Desktop External Hard Drive USB 3.0 (STEB5000100) ($129.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Seagate Expansion 5TB Desktop External Hard Drive USB 3.0 (STEB5000100) ($129.99 @ Amazon)
Case: Antec One ATX Mid Tower Case ($34.99 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: SeaSonic 300W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($33.30 @ SuperBiiz)
Total: $901.49
As a side note here is a comparison I did for my friend who was planning on buying a Lenovo ThinkServer TS140:
Facebook
Twitter
Instagram