NAS with RAID 1 + Software spanning

X

Xeth

[H]ard|Gawd
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Apr 6, 2007
Messages
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I want to build a cheap NAS box running Win2k3 server with some old hardware laying around. Requirements are that it is fault tolerant and extremely cheap :D. Also it needs to be expandable without having to wipe the entire array and re-building it from external backup. Performance doesn't matter...

Right now I'm thinking about getting 4x 500GB drives and running them in 2x 2-drive RAID 1 arrays, using cheapo 2x PCI SATA fakeRAID controllers for each set, then using windows to span a volume across the whole thing. That way when I need more room, I can just power down the box, add a pair of disks and a controller card, then power back up and extend the spanned volume across the new disks.

Right now I got the everything except the disks and the controllers (nf7-s raid with athlon xp-m barton, 1 GB RAM, generic mid tower). So I will spend about $600 for the 1 TB in disks and controllers, vs $1.5k at least for a proper RAID 5 setup.

Is this plan crazy enough to work? Or should I just spend the dough and get a nice RAID 5 controller that supports online expansion.. (prolly have to get a PCIe mobo for that though)?
 
In general, yes. But I do have a few questions that I'd still consider before you go this route.

1) How much will you expand in the future? Is four of five terabytes likely to happen in the next year or two, or just maybe another 500 gigs? Since you specifically mentioned expanding the array, I might be inclined to spend the extra money on raid 5 that does expansion and get fewer drives for the same capacity.
2) How suited is your case to lots of drives? Is there airflow, room, and power for 8 drives or so? What power supply are you using? How tightly packed will the drives be? Are you using a separate boot disk or *wince* booting off the array?
 
I suggest trying to beta of Windows Home server - you can add storage anytime without having to format or do anything - it keeps everythign redundantly on two drives automaticaly (unless you tell it not to) + you don't have to worry at all about drive letters, you're systems will see your NAS as one HUGE drive... and you don't even have to have the same drives.. my WHS has a 40 gig, 80 gig, and a 160 gig - all of which show up on my network as one drive.

plus it allows image based backups of your PCs and remote access to your data + even your desktop when you are away from home.

It does all this with a no hastle setup + an interface so easy my wife could administer it.

you should check it out!
 
Thanks for the replies.

1. I plan to expand to at least 2 TB+. My main concern with RAID 5 is getting locked into using identical 500GB drives (for example i might add a pair of really cheap 400 GB drives if I find them).

2. Case has 4x 5.25 and 6x 3.5 bays. PS is an Antec truepower 500W. There's a fan in front of the 4x internal 3.5's and I will install a 3-to-4 converter with fan in the top 5.25 bays. I will be booting off a separate RAID 1 pair of 40GB. After an optical drive is installed there should be 4 empty internal bays for future expansion. If additional room is needed I might buy a quad e-sata enclosure or 4 stackables, or just a bigger case...

Now that I think about it I should probably just get 2x 750 GB now and run them in RAID 1 then buy a real RAID controller later on... with an 8 port controller I can get to 4.5 TB on RAID 6...

K.I.S.S. :D
 
teststrips said:
I suggest trying to beta of Windows Home server - you can add storage anytime without having to format or do anything - it keeps everythign redundantly on two drives automaticaly (unless you tell it not to) + you don't have to worry at all about drive letters, you're systems will see your NAS as one HUGE drive... and you don't even have to have the same drives.. my WHS has a 40 gig, 80 gig, and a 160 gig - all of which show up on my network as one drive.

plus it allows image based backups of your PCs and remote access to your data + even your desktop when you are away from home.

It does all this with a no hastle setup + an interface so easy my wife could administer it.

you should check it out!
Click to expand...

Wow that's exactly what I need... thanks!
 
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