How much processing power do I need?

[mollocampo]

Hello everybody

I want to build a ZFS storage and VM system using Sandy Bridge but I cannot decide on a CPU+Motherboard combination (also not sure what OS to use).

My goals are:
- Media files server (NAS)
- iTunes server
- Time Machine server
- UPNP server (for Xbox360)
- Host an Ubuntu dev server VM, probably with VirtualBox
- Host other VMs for testing purposes
- Use as low power as possible when idle (maybe also with idle VM)
- I would often have 2 VMs running simultaneously, sometimes 3.

I already have:
- 5 WD 2TB Green drives
- Supermicro AOC-SAT2-MV8 8 port Sata controller
- OCZ Vertex2 120GB SSD
- Corsair 520w psu
- Huge Lian-Li case
- DVD burner
- 1920x1200 monitor
I plan to use the integrated GPU (not a gamer).

I would use the 5 2TB HDD for a raidz1 array and the SSD for the OS.

My plan is to use Napp-it for the NAS-ZFS part, VirtualBox for VMs. For the host OS, either OpenIndiana, Solaris or SolarisExpress (no experience with these).

I want to buy 16 GB of ram, enough for ZFS to breathe and for the VMs.
For the CPU, would an i3-2100 be enough? Or should I go with i5?
For the motherboard, should I go with the Z68 chipset, does it matter?

Thanks
Eric

 

[mollocampo]

Anybody?

 

[Dangman]

I recommend going with the quad-core Core i5 2400 due to all your VM usage. As for the motherboard, I'd go with a Z68 or H67 motherboard in your case.

 

[mollocampo]

Thanks Danny

Does anybody know if it's possible to do all I want to do with OpenIndiana?

 

[_Gea]

Thanks Danny

Does anybody know if it's possible to do all I want to do with OpenIndiana?

You can:
use Virtualbox on Top of OpenIndiana
-> i would say slow and not very stable

use KVM inside OpenIndiana
-> the future, not really ready now

use ESXi below OpenIndiana
all Machines together with the OpenIndiana NAS/SAN are virtualized
-> the best for now

I would use a cheap microATX serverboard for such a config
like a SupdrmIcro X9...-f with a vtd capable CPU and a dedicated SAS controller
for the NAS/SAN part - if you can spend 400 euro+ for the parts

(=all-in-one server)

 

[mollocampo]

Thanks Gea

I'll look into the server hardware and ESXi. I knew vt-d but after reading many posts about boards that could not deal with it even though they claimed they could, I decided to stay away from it. I guess it's different with server boards.

Can you suggest a dedicated SAS controller?
Won't my Supermicro card do the job?

 

[mollocampo]

bump


Can anybody suggest a dedicated SAS controller?
Won't my Supermicro card do the job?

 

[danswartz]

If you pass it through, probably yes.

 

[Dangman]

Can anybody suggest a dedicated SAS controller?

Look for the IBM M1015 off eBay. Or these other cards:
$160 - Intel SASUC8I PCI-Ex8 SATA/SAS Controller Card
$250 - LSI SAS 9211-8i Controller Card

Won't my Supermicro card do the job?

I think I know why _Gea didn't mention your card:
http://hardforum.com/showpost.php?p=1036884873&postcount=150

Or it could also be that your card would have relatively slow performance in ZFS.

Either that or he didn't see that you had that card.