[SOLVED] DIY Server - Will it work?

[fabio.lanza]

Hi, I'd like to build a virtualization server so that I can have different VMs for FreeNAS, pfSense, web server, etc. This is a domestic build. I pick the following hardware, can you share thoughts? Also, what virtualization software would you run on this?

• Case: Cooler Master HAF XB EVO
• Motherboard: MSI X470 Gaming Plus
• Processor: Ryzen 7 2700X, 3.7GHz, Socket AM4
• RAM: Corsair Vengeance LPX 32 GB (4 X 8 GB), DDR4, 2666 MHz, C16 XMP 2.0
• Graphics: Asus Radeon R5 230-SL-2GD3-L
• Network: Gigabit PCI Express I350-T4 E1G44HT Intel 82580 4x RJ45
• Power: Corsair RM750x
• Storage: 1x NVMe M.2 250GB for cache
• Storage (Raid 5): 4x WD Red 4TB

Thanks!

 

[USAFRet]

Yes, that will work.
I use VirtualBox.
Be cognizant of how much RAM you dedicate to each VM.

This is my machine running 4x VMs and the Win 10 host.

 

[kanewolf]

Hi, I'd like to build a virtualization server so that I can have different VMs for FreeNAS, pfSense, web server, etc. This is a domestic build. I pick the following hardware, can you share thoughts? Also, what virtualization software would you run on this?

• Case: Cooler Master HAF XB EVO
• Motherboard: MSI X470 Gaming Plus
• Processor: Ryzen 7 2700X, 3.7GHz, Socket AM4
• RAM: Corsair Vengeance LPX 32 GB (4 X 8 GB), DDR4, 2666 MHz, C16 XMP 2.0
• Graphics: Asus Radeon R5 230-SL-2GD3-L
• Network: Gigabit PCI Express I350-T4 E1G44HT Intel 82580 4x RJ45
• Power: Corsair RM750x
• Storage: 1x NVMe M.2 250GB for cache
• Storage (Raid 5): 4x WD Red 4TB

Thanks!

I don't recommend 4 DIMMs for a Ryzen build. If you want 32GB get 2x16GB.
I would also recommend getting a genuine Intel NIC card. Even if you buy used to lower the price.
Running pFSense on the same physical host as the clients isn't the best implementation. With the extra NIC card it could work.

 

[SamirD]

I would also recommend getting a genuine Intel NIC card. Even if you buy used to lower the price.
Running pFSense on the same physical host as the clients isn't the best implementation. With the extra NIC card it could work.

And to add to this I would avoid Intel branded NICs and go with their Dell/HP equivalents to avoid the fakes that have flooded the used market. There's even Dell and HP fakes, but almost none of them are used, only new.

And honestly, you really should get a server for this as it's designed for this type of thing. Keeping a gaming computer on 24x7 to be a pfsense router doesn't make much sense.

 

[fabio.lanza]

Yes, that will work.
I use VirtualBox.
Be cognizant of how much RAM you dedicate to each VM.

This is my machine running 4x VMs and the Win 10 host.

Thanks, but I don't want to use Win 10 as host. I want to use proper virtualization host such as ESX or Hyper-V.

 

[fabio.lanza]

And to add to this I would avoid Intel branded NICs and go with their Dell/HP equivalents to avoid the fakes that have flooded the used market. There's even Dell and HP fakes, but almost none of them are used, only new.

And honestly, you really should get a server for this as it's designed for this type of thing. Keeping a gaming computer on 24x7 to be a pfsense router doesn't make much sense.

Not just a pfSense... I want to use it as NAS and other virtualization jobs as well. The problem with server is that it will be too noisy and occupy too much space. Would you suggest anything?

Thanks