Small scale server storage on a budget

[CombatChrisNC]

So here's the setup.

I've got an old (1366 socket) 1U 2-proc IBM server fitted out with a single 2.9ghz quad core and 64GB of RAM. I've got a pair of 74GB SAS drives (don't remember if 10k or 15k) set up in RAID0.

RAID0 because 74GB isn't enough for me to have (as it is now) a 2008R2 install with some Steam games on it, acting as a LAN server.

I'm going to rebuild the device from being a bare-metal 2008R2 into a ESX 6 host with a 2012r2 VM.

So here's what I'm trying to accomplish.

Goal 1: Size. 148GB is my current capacity, so no back-sliding from there.
Goal 2: Reliability. RAID0 presently, with no real backup plan. I know I can schedule a backup process for my game files, but I would like to have RAID1 or RAID5 so I have one more buffer in place before having to restore from backup.
Goal 3: Speed. It's not exactly a slouch right now, but it's not greased lightning either. I'm used to my gaming desktop which has a paid of SSD's in RAID0. I certainly don't want anything slower than it is.
Goal 4: Price. Things are tight, so it's hard to justify much for a pleasure-server which only hosts some games I get to play 2-3 times a week. $100 absolute cap.

So, here are my options.

Option 1: Pair of ~128GB SSD's in RAID1. Hits most of the goals, minus size. A little back-sliding...
Option 2: 2 (or 3) 300GB SAS 10Ks. Set up in RAID1 or RAID5, it would hit most goals, but would likely be a little slower than the current RAID0.
Option 3: 6 146GB SAS 10Ks. Set up in RAID5. It gets me the most size, and I imagine likely faster than a 3-disk option 2.
Option 4: Biggest single SSD I can get within budget. No RAID, but is the most simple setup. Not faster than RAID1 for reads, but still quick.

NON POLL OPTION: 6 disk RAID10. Lets up to 3 disks fail, and more IO than a RAID5. Only hit is space, but I still am 400+GB.

Thoughts?


These are the drives I'm looking at BTW:
HP 146GB 10K 2.5"SAS DRIVE 431958-B21 431954-003 *NEW*
HP 300GB 10K 2.5"6G SAS DRIVE 507127-B21 ST9300603SS NEW
I shouldn't expect any issues using the 'HP' drives in an IBM host, no?

 

[iamwhoiamtoday]

I'm voting for
Option 3: 146GB SAS (x6) RAID5

Seeing as how you do have valid backups, realistically your best bet is probably the "Biggest single SSD" option, and then add additional drives as time / budget allows.

I picked the 6*SAS drives because that sounds like the most fun to work with, even though it'll use a hell of a lot more power / produce more heat / have worse performance than the single SSD.

 

[CombatChrisNC]

I think I will be doing single ssd. MX200 250gb preforms well on the read-heavy anandtech custom bench and is well priced for me.

Or just wait for a decent sale on it or something similar.

Unless someone makes a convincing argument otherwise, this gives me also the most room to grow in the server before resorting to JBOD enclosures.

 

[CombatChrisNC]

I think I will be doing single ssd. MX200 250gb preforms well on the read-heavy anandtech custom bench and is well priced for me.

Or just wait for a decent sale on it or something similar.

Unless someone makes a convincing argument otherwise, this gives me also the most room to grow in the server before resorting to JBOD enclosures.

Or an 850 EVO. It's not much of a price difference, and while the MX is faster in some benchmarks, the EVO seems faster in random read. The only time I really need speed is when the servers get launched - so I'm all about some read.

 

[CombatChrisNC]

Turns out I have a buddy who works for a large storage company and he might be able to swing a bunch of lab-used 450gb 10k 2.5" SAS drives my way. So I'm going to be stuffing the server full of them, all 8 slots. And getting another server too!

HP ProLiant DL380 G6 2 x 2.40Ghz E5530 Quad Core 24GB

And stuff THAT full of disk as well. That'll make for some decent storage and a good home VMware platform. If I do get any SSD's, they'll be small and McGyvered into the servers and running off the (if any) mobo's SATA ports and hosting VMware itself.

 

[CombatChrisNC]

Final option!

Get 8x free sm843tn. Samsung 480GB SATA 6gbs drives from a mildly used environment.

 

[FnordMan]

Final option!

Get 8x free sm843tn. Samsung 480GB SATA 6gbs drives from a mildly used environment.

Wow, nice score there. That'll make for some quick storage.