Project: Big Bang V1
I am building what will become my new home media server. I have an old opty 146 running ubuntu with 3tb attached to it (raid 5 software) (6x wd7500's). I am migrating the drives to the new case / h/w raid.
Right now the box is pretty loud, and located in our bedroom. The new server is gonna go in the closet and be as quiet as possible (while maintaining low temperature).
I have followed a lot of the storage threads around here for years, as well as the Media Server suggestions over at avs. My biggest concerns are being able to handle two HTPC's streaming at the same time in 1080p, and data being written as a pretty constant click. I see my storage needs expanding with time (I have 3tb filled now). But I think the size of hard drives will increase frequently enough for me to not need more than 20 drives. (heres wishful thinking).
So here is my solution. I am going to use silent fans throughout. I am mounting all of the drives on rubber insulator rings. I am running a low power CPU, with an easy O/C. I will be running 3 arrays. 2 will be joined as a "media volume". Any thoughts on performance hits with that approach? They will be raid 5 volumes.
I will use 4x of my older 320gb seagates as a Raid0+1(software) for the O/S / downloads.
All I need now are the 1.5tb drives I ordered on Thursday. I have my two spare 750gb drives mounted now, and I am considering trying to spread out the data on my 3tb software raid, so I can move those drives over, instead of waiting for the 1.5tb drives.
I plan to run ubuntu on it, and use KVM for any of my virtualization needs.
Specs / Part List:
That about does it for current hardware. My upgrade plans, are to switch up to a faster quad core processor, and to switch the 750gb drives for 1.5tb's when money and time allow. The sheer data density you get with those new seagates is amazing.
I also decided to sleeve everything, since I had all the stuff. Figured it would make the build look nicer.
Pictures:
My old fileserver
SAS cable before I sleeved them
Post Sleeving
Front With trial fit of bays (lots of pushing and cussing)
Here are the raid cards in and hooked up (note: the battery backups are velcroed to the ceiling of the case)
The drive cages are ready for drives
Front minus racks
My work area...
We moved since my last build and everything was packed up. So lots of digging ensued.
Not gonna outpace ockie anytime soon, but I do have dual 8346's on the way. might go crazy, buy a board and some reg memory, and go 8 cores with this. Still not sure on that one.
Will update when the drives arrive. I am also shopping for a better PSU.
I am building what will become my new home media server. I have an old opty 146 running ubuntu with 3tb attached to it (raid 5 software) (6x wd7500's). I am migrating the drives to the new case / h/w raid.
Right now the box is pretty loud, and located in our bedroom. The new server is gonna go in the closet and be as quiet as possible (while maintaining low temperature).
I have followed a lot of the storage threads around here for years, as well as the Media Server suggestions over at avs. My biggest concerns are being able to handle two HTPC's streaming at the same time in 1080p, and data being written as a pretty constant click. I see my storage needs expanding with time (I have 3tb filled now). But I think the size of hard drives will increase frequently enough for me to not need more than 20 drives. (heres wishful thinking).
So here is my solution. I am going to use silent fans throughout. I am mounting all of the drives on rubber insulator rings. I am running a low power CPU, with an easy O/C. I will be running 3 arrays. 2 will be joined as a "media volume". Any thoughts on performance hits with that approach? They will be raid 5 volumes.
I will use 4x of my older 320gb seagates as a Raid0+1(software) for the O/S / downloads.
All I need now are the 1.5tb drives I ordered on Thursday. I have my two spare 750gb drives mounted now, and I am considering trying to spread out the data on my 3tb software raid, so I can move those drives over, instead of waiting for the 1.5tb drives.
I plan to run ubuntu on it, and use KVM for any of my virtualization needs.
Specs / Part List:
- E2180 OCed 3ghz
- Asus P5N32-E SLI
- Lian Li PC-V2000 Plus
- 8gb OCZ PC-6400 Ram (Fatal1ty, found cheap on the bay)
- 8 x 1.5TB Seagate drives
- 8 x WD7500AAKS 750gb drives
- 4x Seagate 7200.10 320gb drives
- 2x Perc 5i raid controllers
- 4x sas to sata cables
- Samsung dvd burner
- 5x S-Flex SFF21E fans
- Rosewell 750watt PSU
- 2x Lian Li EX-43 Bay converters
- Thermalright HR-01 Plus
That about does it for current hardware. My upgrade plans, are to switch up to a faster quad core processor, and to switch the 750gb drives for 1.5tb's when money and time allow. The sheer data density you get with those new seagates is amazing.
I also decided to sleeve everything, since I had all the stuff. Figured it would make the build look nicer.
Pictures:
My old fileserver
SAS cable before I sleeved them
Post Sleeving
Front With trial fit of bays (lots of pushing and cussing)
Here are the raid cards in and hooked up (note: the battery backups are velcroed to the ceiling of the case)
The drive cages are ready for drives
Front minus racks
My work area...
We moved since my last build and everything was packed up. So lots of digging ensued.
Not gonna outpace ockie anytime soon, but I do have dual 8346's on the way. might go crazy, buy a board and some reg memory, and go 8 cores with this. Still not sure on that one.
Will update when the drives arrive. I am also shopping for a better PSU.