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Planning of future NAS & network layout

Tags:
  • Freecom
  • network
  • zfs
  • advice
  • Computers
  • cabinet
  • NAS / RAID
  • nas4free
  • Components
  • rackmount
Last response: in Components
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May 19, 2013 12:40:03 PM

Hello everyone!

I'm a student IT, and going to get my own place within a few years.
However, my fingers already itch to create a plan of how my network layout would be organised. :D  And the DIY NAS in particular, as i'm currently working on a slow, market dual-drive NAS from Freecom. I want to hear your opinions and suggestions! So what will my network require?

Requirements:

  • Wifi-access, WPA2 (ofcourse)
  • UTP cat6 cabling for computers, NAS and htpc(s)
  • Security
  • Performance
  • Switch, NAS (and router possibly) rackmounted in a wall-mounted cabinet


  • So basically, the most important part of this all is my NAS. I'm looking to build a NAS that will deliver me following functions:

    1. Store computer backups, or even let the computers work on it
    2. Store/stream Music, pictures and Movies. (1080p HD)
    3. Store personal files securely (user access rights, auth, encryption)
    4. Download by torrents/newsgroups, automatically. (like Sickbeard/Couchpotato)
    5. Redundancy with as low disk loss as possible (zfs)
    6. Read/Write performance, shouldn't give 'wait times'
    7. Securely accessble from the outside, like 'cloud'


  • Now that's a big list huh? I know, i'm just crazy about it.. So I looked at FreeNAS in a virtual environment, but the 8 version still gives some problems apparently, certainly in combination here with the slow Samba. (Haven't configured/researched Samba conf yet tough, my fault) So i'm currently looking at the hardware possibilities, and added all of them in a list: Google Drive Document, freely accessible.
    You are free to give comments in the document, it's enabled.

    So why rackmounted? I know, a lot of prejudice. Mainly just because it's nicely packed and looks very beautifull when all of your networking equipment is rackmounted using proper cable management. I picked the Chenbro ultra-short chassis because normal NAS-chassis' are too long for a regular cabinet.

    So my questions so far are:

    • Any suggestions based on my hardware list so far?
    • Is an SSD for the OS overpowered? If yes, what would I then put on a SSD? (like the intent log or whatsoever.)
    • Is choosing a managed switch necessairy when I want to, for example, create VLANS?


  • Thank you for reading this, and thanks again if you make any suggestions!
    Greetings from a dreaming IT student.
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