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mason.kramer
Weaksauce
- Joined
- Mar 27, 2007
- Messages
- 64
Hi there. I'm trying to configure a home file server. I will use the server to store a large library of assorted types of media content, including high-def video, which I'll be serving to my TV's via myth TV (or something like it). I'll also use it in conjunction with folder-synching software to give me added data security, and I will use it to make regular backups of my entire system. I might also use it to host my low-traffic blog from home. This will be a low traffic server. The most strenuous possible scenario that I can imagine is it three users simultaneously streaming HD video from it. I have no experience with servers and I don't know what is required for that. I want to do it as cheaply as possible, but I want it to work well. I don't want any stuttering, I don't want any crashing, I don't want any hassles. I just want it to do its job without any nursing. The less power it uses, the better.
Here are my questions:
1. How much bandwidth does a streaming 1080p HD video signal use?
2.1 Given the application I described above, how fast does the system have to be to provide a high quality of service? I want it to be fast enough and no faster. Right now, I've been basing my configurations on a socket AM2 mobo and looking at cheap X2 processors. I know there's a deal on an AM2 X2 1.9ghz brisbane proc at newegg right now, but I don't like that deal because it doesn't include a HSF. Instead I found this 1.9ghz brisbane in a retail box. Would that be enough, or with a 2.4ghz windsor X2 for $50 more? Which one eats more power (don't windsors have smaller power envelopes?)
2.2 What is the minimum amount of RAM required for this application?
3.1 Can I get away with motherboard based raid 5 or do I need to get a card? For instance, this mobo utilizes the 570 chipset which supports RAID 5. However I have seen benchmarks that indicate that the 570 chipset has very bad RAID 5 reading and writing speeds, that it caps at reading 250mb/sec no matter how many disks are in the array. Would that be enough speed? Besides speed, the other thing that worries me about using a motherboard-based RAID controller is failure. What happens if the motherboard fails? Do I lose the array? Could I plug the array into another 570-based board and recover it? Should I buy a second board and keep it in the box just in case? The primary purpose of this server is security.
3.2 If the 570 chipset won't do it for performance, that might indicate a need to get a much more expensive AIC solution. But, could I do this more cheaply by getting a core 2 solution which could utilize an intel chipset with a matrix chip? I hear that the matrix chip delivers good RAID 5 performance. If so, which board and proc do you recommend? (Something with onboard video would be best, as I am only using this to serve. Also, it needs to have at least 1000mb ethernet, and maybe dual channels, depending on the answer to #1). Once again, what do I do about board failure - would I need to get 2 of the same, or could I just find any matrix board years later if the mobo actually does fail?
4. I'd rather not get a card because they add a lot to the cost of the system. However I want high security and I feel like a card will give me that. For one thing, if a card fails, I feel like I could plug the array into another ard of the same type and get it to work. Could I plug the array into another card of a different make but with the same chip and get it to work? If I do get a card, how cheap can I go? Can I get something like this high point controller, which seems to be about $100 cheaper than any other PCI-e solution? Will it perform? What happens if the card fails, do I lose the array? Can I go with a PCI-e solution or is it worth it to spend more and get a server motherboard with a PCI-x slot?
I know this is a barrage of questions. Answers and advice are appreciated.
edit: by the way, I want to have a minimum of 6 drive connectors. 4 does not suit my requirements.
Here are my questions:
1. How much bandwidth does a streaming 1080p HD video signal use?
2.1 Given the application I described above, how fast does the system have to be to provide a high quality of service? I want it to be fast enough and no faster. Right now, I've been basing my configurations on a socket AM2 mobo and looking at cheap X2 processors. I know there's a deal on an AM2 X2 1.9ghz brisbane proc at newegg right now, but I don't like that deal because it doesn't include a HSF. Instead I found this 1.9ghz brisbane in a retail box. Would that be enough, or with a 2.4ghz windsor X2 for $50 more? Which one eats more power (don't windsors have smaller power envelopes?)
2.2 What is the minimum amount of RAM required for this application?
3.1 Can I get away with motherboard based raid 5 or do I need to get a card? For instance, this mobo utilizes the 570 chipset which supports RAID 5. However I have seen benchmarks that indicate that the 570 chipset has very bad RAID 5 reading and writing speeds, that it caps at reading 250mb/sec no matter how many disks are in the array. Would that be enough speed? Besides speed, the other thing that worries me about using a motherboard-based RAID controller is failure. What happens if the motherboard fails? Do I lose the array? Could I plug the array into another 570-based board and recover it? Should I buy a second board and keep it in the box just in case? The primary purpose of this server is security.
3.2 If the 570 chipset won't do it for performance, that might indicate a need to get a much more expensive AIC solution. But, could I do this more cheaply by getting a core 2 solution which could utilize an intel chipset with a matrix chip? I hear that the matrix chip delivers good RAID 5 performance. If so, which board and proc do you recommend? (Something with onboard video would be best, as I am only using this to serve. Also, it needs to have at least 1000mb ethernet, and maybe dual channels, depending on the answer to #1). Once again, what do I do about board failure - would I need to get 2 of the same, or could I just find any matrix board years later if the mobo actually does fail?
4. I'd rather not get a card because they add a lot to the cost of the system. However I want high security and I feel like a card will give me that. For one thing, if a card fails, I feel like I could plug the array into another ard of the same type and get it to work. Could I plug the array into another card of a different make but with the same chip and get it to work? If I do get a card, how cheap can I go? Can I get something like this high point controller, which seems to be about $100 cheaper than any other PCI-e solution? Will it perform? What happens if the card fails, do I lose the array? Can I go with a PCI-e solution or is it worth it to spend more and get a server motherboard with a PCI-x slot?
I know this is a barrage of questions. Answers and advice are appreciated.
edit: by the way, I want to have a minimum of 6 drive connectors. 4 does not suit my requirements.
They go in PCI slots fine, even though they're inherently PCI-X. This means you'd be capped at 100 megabytes and change, but as noted above, this isn't much of a problem.