[SOLVED] Need reccomendations for a storage server

[Prydz]

I'm looking to build a huge storage server at home. But I don't know where to start

Looking for something that won't break the bank, has a lot of space for harddrives and some processing powers to run unraid and a windows server

Any ideas? Prefferably rack mountable

 

[kanewolf]

I'm looking to build a huge storage server at home. But I don't know where to start

Looking for something that won't break the bank, has a lot of space for harddrives and some processing powers to run unraid and a windows server

Any ideas? Prefferably rack mountable

You have to quantify "huge" and "break the bank" ... Those are not requirements that can be designed against.

 

[Prydz]

You have to quantify "huge" and "break the bank" ... Those are not requirements that can be designed against.

I want to be able to use 4TB drives in raid, with preferable 8-12 drive capacity. The more the better
Also I want to be able to run a windows server on there for torrenting (and a minecraft server and small java apps if there's capacity for that)

Trying to spend as little money as possible so I can buy more drives. Is 500$ too low?

 

[kanewolf]

I want to be able to use 4TB drives in raid, with preferable 8-12 drive capacity. The more the better
Also I want to be able to run a windows server on there for torrenting (and a minecraft server and small java apps if there's capacity for that)

Trying to spend as little money as possible so I can buy more drives. Is 500$ too low?

Is Windows server the bare metal OS? Or is something else the bare metal and Win server is a VM?

 

[Prydz]

Is Windows server the bare metal OS? Or is something else the bare metal and Win server is a VM?

VMware something is bare metal and windows will be vm

 

[USAFRet]

Torrenting does not require WindowsServer. Either native or in a VM.
QNAP systems have a torrenting application built in.


The cost of a WinServer license boosts the cost of this significantly.

 

[Prydz]

Torrenting does not require WindowsServer. Either native or in a VM.
QNAP systems have a torrenting application built in.


The cost of a WinServer license boosts the cost of this significantly.

Forum autobumpers and minecraft servers would need windows tho. I dont NEED to host them, but would be nice to have an rdp. I could have them separate thoug

What could I look into for a pure storage / torrenting server?

 

[Prydz]

@USAFRet bumping

 

[USAFRet]

And Forum autobumpers get booted around here...😉

A minecraft server can absolutely run on a Linux platform.
https://minecraft.gamepedia.com/Tutorials/Setting_up_a_server


In your $500 budget, that just barely covers the cost of a basic WinServer license. No hardware.

 

[Prydz]

And Forum autobumpers get booted around here...😉

A minecraft server can absolutely run on a Linux platform.
https://minecraft.gamepedia.com/Tutorials/Setting_up_a_server


In your $500 budget, that just barely covers the cost of a basic WinServer license. No hardware.

OOOH I'm sorry heh...

I wouldn't need windows running on it. Just pure storage and torrenting. Any ideas?

 

[USAFRet]

I just mentioned that WinServer license, because you did...😉
If on the actual drive or in a VM, it still needs that license. Which starts at $501.

So, tossing that WindowsServer OS out the window...

Anyway, "8-12 drives" is tough on a standard motherboard. Lack of SATA ports.
What software you're going to use will dictate the hardware requirements.
Basic file serving for a residence can be done from a current i3 or Ryzen 3 CPU. Doesn't need a lot of horsepower.

 

[Prydz]

I just mentioned that WinServer license, because you did...😉
If on the actual drive or in a VM, it still needs that license. Which starts at $501.

So, tossing that WindowsServer OS out the window...

Anyway, "8-12 drives" is tough on a standard motherboard. Lack of SATA ports.
What software you're going to use will dictate the hardware requirements.
Basic file serving for a residence can be done from a current i3 or Ryzen 3 CPU. Doesn't need a lot of horsepower.

The R720 has 8 slots for example
Heard unraid is reccomended? I just need a pointer on what server to look at. UPU can be changed later
500 is just for the server, no harddrives or anything else.

I can buy a R610 for 150$ with 6 drive slots, but I don't know if the raid controller supports 4TB drives ect ect.

Everything is SUPER complicated and I don't know where to start basically

 

[USAFRet]

Well, unraid is its own OS. Linux based.

$500 would easily buy a 4 or 6 bay commercial NAS box.
Fill it up with 6-8TB drives.

Built in Plex server, VMWare, etc, etc.

 

[Prydz]

Well, unraid is its own OS. Linux based.

$500 would easily buy a 4 or 6 bay commercial NAS box.
Fill it up with 6-8TB drives.

Built in Plex server, VMWare, etc, etc.

Yeah but what brand, where do I start looking

And I know unraid is it's on OS. I'd have to figure out how to run torrents on there as well

 

[USAFRet]

QNAP or Synology.
I have a 4 bay QNAP TS-453a.

Plex and download applications installed and started up with a couple of clicks.

 

[USAFRet]

But for a basic parts list, this, to start:

PCPartPicker Part List

CPU: AMD Ryzen 5 2600 3.4 GHz 6-Core Processor ($119.00 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: MSI B450-A PRO MAX ATX AM4 Motherboard ($99.99 @ B&H)
Memory: Patriot Viper Elite 16 GB (2 x 8 GB) DDR4-2666 Memory ($64.98 @ Amazon)
Case: Fractal Design Focus G ATX Mid Tower Case ($56.98 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Silverstone 400 W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($49.99 @ Amazon)
Total: $390.94
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2020-04-16 20:57 EDT-0400

 

[Prydz]

QNAP or Synology.
I have a 4 bay QNAP TS-453a.

Plex and download applications installed and started up with a couple of clicks.

Wow thank you what was very helpful!

I'm looking at a cheap Synology RX1211 expansion unit and a RS407 as the main brains so to say
Not familiar with the equipment, but I think they can work together?

 

[USAFRet]

Wow thank you what was very helpful!

I'm looking at a cheap Synology RX1211 expansion unit and a RS407 as the main brains so to say
Not familiar with the equipment, but I think they can work together?

Yes, those should work together.

 

[Prydz]

Yes, those should work together.

Great! That would give me 14 ports to work with
Are there any bottlenecks or pitfalls I'll need to look out for?

 

[USAFRet]

Great! That would give me 14 ports to work with
Are there any bottlenecks or pitfalls I'll need to look out for?

I don't think so.

For my NAS situation:
4 bay QNAP TS-453a (8TB + 8TB + 8TB + 500GB SSD system drive)
4 bay QNAP TR-004 expansion. (4TB x 4)
4 bay MediaSonic enclosure. (3TB + 3TB + 3TB + 2TB)
~50TB.

The Qnap OS sees all 12 drives seamlessly.
From my Windows boxes, can see any volume, and not care what physical drive it may be.

 

[USAFRet]

Another thing you need to consider in this is space for actual backups.
Don't depend on a RAID array for that.

 

[SamirD]

If you search long enough and are patient, you can find a server with a windows server coa on it as a platform for you to build into what you want. A rackmounted R710 should work well for this and should easily fit your budget. And if you need more drives you can just get a das unit to go with it.