I am looking to increase my available storage space by adding about 6 TB storage capacity in a RAID configuration. I am wondering if I should just stick with an external box, hardware RAID 5 setup, or take the plunge and go the server route. I work with Mac and PC systems, so the data would have to be accessible to both (Currently all of my drives, 5+ TB, are formatted NTFS and I use NTFS-3G on my mac and it works great for interoperability). I have no experience working with servers, and although fairly competent with computers I worry that setting up a server would be quite a large task.
Options:
1). 4 bay HDD enclosure running hardware RAID 5 + 4x 2 TB drives
2). Option #1 + either PogoPlug, network hub, ethernet router, etc.
3). Server such as the HP ProLiant Ultra Micro Tower (other suggestions welcome).
Option #1 would obviously be the easiest route, but I would really appreciate the ability to access files over a network, as well as share files with people located remotely. I have been reading (always dangerous) and have some questions about drives, RAID, and running a server.
First things first - the drives.
-Do I need enterprise grade drives, and does it depend on if I use hardware or software level RAID, as TLER (Time Limited Error Recovery) sounds like a very good thing for hardware RAID, but is it necessary necessary for for software RAID?
I am open to any suggestion of what drives would be recommended based on the application (External Box v. Server).
RAID 5 seems like a great option, as the speeds are decent, there is protection against drive failure, and you maximize storage capacity, but if a second drive fails during a rebuild, are you out of luck? unRAID uses a kind of RAID 4, and it seems like that might be a good option for a server, as a second drive failure doesn't bring down your whole array, you just loose the data on the second failed disk. I don't know anything more about the program and wonder how easy it would be to implement.
As for a server, I don't know what software would be best for someone without networking experience. I am looking for something fairly straightforward that would not need constant maintenance and fussing. The server would not run 24/7, instead I would turn it on when I need access to the files, and then shut it down when finished.
As I mentioned, I have several external drives (RAID 1), and I am also wondering if it would be possible to connect them to a server for remote access as well.
I truly appreciate any help that is offered, as I am very hopeful of the possibilities, but feel as if I am in a bit over my head.
Thanks!!
Options:
1). 4 bay HDD enclosure running hardware RAID 5 + 4x 2 TB drives
2). Option #1 + either PogoPlug, network hub, ethernet router, etc.
3). Server such as the HP ProLiant Ultra Micro Tower (other suggestions welcome).
Option #1 would obviously be the easiest route, but I would really appreciate the ability to access files over a network, as well as share files with people located remotely. I have been reading (always dangerous) and have some questions about drives, RAID, and running a server.
First things first - the drives.
-Do I need enterprise grade drives, and does it depend on if I use hardware or software level RAID, as TLER (Time Limited Error Recovery) sounds like a very good thing for hardware RAID, but is it necessary necessary for for software RAID?
I am open to any suggestion of what drives would be recommended based on the application (External Box v. Server).
RAID 5 seems like a great option, as the speeds are decent, there is protection against drive failure, and you maximize storage capacity, but if a second drive fails during a rebuild, are you out of luck? unRAID uses a kind of RAID 4, and it seems like that might be a good option for a server, as a second drive failure doesn't bring down your whole array, you just loose the data on the second failed disk. I don't know anything more about the program and wonder how easy it would be to implement.
As for a server, I don't know what software would be best for someone without networking experience. I am looking for something fairly straightforward that would not need constant maintenance and fussing. The server would not run 24/7, instead I would turn it on when I need access to the files, and then shut it down when finished.
As I mentioned, I have several external drives (RAID 1), and I am also wondering if it would be possible to connect them to a server for remote access as well.
I truly appreciate any help that is offered, as I am very hopeful of the possibilities, but feel as if I am in a bit over my head.
Thanks!!