Cheap media storage server - unRAID, FreeNAS, prebuilt ?

[falieson]

Hello,

I can't decide what to do for my media server. Building a system seems like it might be more expensive than buying a prebuilt diskless NAS but the prebuilts seem so limited for the price; WD 8TB diskless (limit) model is $900! for the price after disks I can definitely do better but then I have additional concerns of power management - I want this machine on 24/7 and really don't want to run a 700Watt PSU.

Does anyone have any suggestions? I'm considering going with unRAID but I'm still having trouble finding a rig that's under $400 before buying disks.

I would like to be able to grow the machine to 8-12 disks before I have to invest in a new machine (starting with 2-4 right now).

Thanks for any help or suggestions!

 

[rand_79]

If you are technically inclined or not afraid to fiddle/read alot get freenas

if you just want it to work get windows home server.

what speed requirements do you have?
a dual core atom should be good for 50MB/SEC+ on gigabit.

for ease of use I would snag WHS (60$ at tiger direct)
a decent case with separate high efficiency power supply (250-400 watt range)

^^ dont go for a combo deal all the combo power supplies that come with cases usually are terrible.
(120$)

atom motherboard +2gb ram = 125$

4x 2tb hdd of your choice ~~80 each
with whs you can start with one and expand.

 

[FireWire2]

falieson

yes you can DIY a NAS which cost around 900~1000

Most of the Atom motherboard rang < 100.00 only has 2x SATA ports

1 - Get a MB about 150~200 with 2x Gb E and 6x SATA ports and use software raid either WHS, FreeNAS or Openfiler

or
2 - Get a low cost ITX-220 or equivalent and use Hardware raid controller SPM394, so when system raid running it wont tax host CPU, therefore fast transfer rate via GbE

# 2 solution, each of SATA port can handle 5 drive (3TB support), this mean you can have up to 30TB RAW

Look at the freeNAS, you wont disappointed... I'm using it, I donate $100.00 to freeNAS , after three months using it