Question Recommendations for Home Server Build

[TantalizingMoon]

Hello all.

I'm looking to get a home server setup for myself. I know I could technically grab an old PC and use that as a server, but I'd like a step up from that. Something that can last me a few years.
I'll be using it for personal and business, but I'll be the only one accessing it, so it's load will be minimal.
I'll want a RAID setup for the system. Not sure what type.
Don't have a particular budget in mind, but don't want to spend thousands. Just no reason to right now.
I'd like it in a server rack preferably so any recommendations on an affordable rack and actual server case would be appreciated.

And, the main point of the post, any recommendations for the specs of the server would be great.

Thanks as always.

P.S. Security for the server is important to me. In fact, I wanted to implement the requirement to have a Yubikey in order to access the server remotely. I'll make a forum post on that down the line, but if anyone thinks that would affect what system specs I'll need for the server, that'd be nice to know beforehand.

 

[kanewolf]

Hello all.

I'm looking to get a home server setup for myself. I know I could technically grab an old PC and use that as a server, but I'd like a step up from that. Something that can last me a few years.
I'll be using it for personal and business, but I'll be the only one accessing it, so it's load will be minimal.
I'll want a RAID setup for the system. Not sure what type.
Don't have a particular budget in mind, but don't want to spend thousands. Just no reason to right now.
I'd like it in a server rack preferably so any recommendations on an affordable rack and actual server case would be appreciated.

And, the main point of the post, any recommendations for the specs of the server would be great.

Thanks as always.

P.S. Security for the server is important to me. In fact, I wanted to implement the requirement to have a Yubikey in order to access the server remotely. I'll make a forum post on that down the line, but if anyone thinks that would affect what system specs I'll need for the server, that'd be nice to know beforehand.

What functions will this server perform? For many a commercial NAS is the simplest option. Getting a Synology or QNAP with an Intel CPU allows you to use docker containers.

 

[USAFRet]

I second the recommendation of a commercial NAS.

I'll want a RAID setup for the system. Not sure what type.

Aside from this, what is the real backup plan?

 

[TantalizingMoon]

What functions will this server perform? For many a commercial NAS is the simplest option. Getting a Synology or QNAP with an Intel CPU allows you to use docker containers.

Going over my head here a bit with some of the terminology in your second sentence, so you may have to help me out.

With regard to the functions, I did a quick google search of what a commercial NAS is and yes that sounds about right. Main functions will be storage of sensitive information and the ability to connect to it to use different softwares, etc.
I take it I can build my own NAS system? Any spec recommendations for that?

 

[TantalizingMoon]

I second the recommendation of a commercial NAS.


Aside from this, what is the real backup plan?

Backup plan in what regard? If the system goes down?
I've got a beast of a battery backup that's rack mounted that I plan to use. Any other recommendations would be appreciated. And if I misunderstood, let me know.

 

[USAFRet]

Backup plan in what regard? If the system goes down?
I've got a beast of a battery backup that's rack mounted that I plan to use. Any other recommendations would be appreciated. And if I misunderstood, let me know.

Backup of the data.

RAID is NOT that.
Whatever RAID array type presents one copy of the data to the OS and user.
Accidentally delete something, it is GONE. There is no 'second copy'.
Or all of the other forms of data loss.

RAID only protects against physical drive fail. It does nothing for data redundancy and protection.

 

[TantalizingMoon]

Backup of the data.

RAID is NOT that.
Whatever RAID array type presents one copy of the data to the OS and user.
Accidentally delete something, it is GONE. There is no 'second copy'.
Or all of the other forms of data loss.

RAID only protects against physical drive fail. It does nothing for data redundancy and protection.

I understand.
I don't have any plan for that, but I'd imagine something as simple as backing up the data to another cheap HDD every few months would be fine. If you have another recommendation, I'm all ears.

 

[USAFRet]

I understand.
I don't have any plan for that, but I'd imagine something as simple as backing up the data to another cheap HDD every few months would be fine. If you have another recommendation, I'm all ears.

If "every few months" is tolerable for you, then OK.

My procedure, basically...

House systems back up to the NAS nightly or weekly, depending. (Macrium Reflect)
NAS backs up to another volume in the NAS weekly. (Internal backup application)
Quarterly, I refresh my offsite. (2 drives stashed in a drawer at work, my "cloud") (Manual copy)

So, there are always multiple copies.


When I first got my QNAP, I ran a RAID 5.
After a couple of years, though..I realized it was not really doing anything that the actual backup couldn't handle.

RAID is only needed if you really really need the uninterrupted uptime.

 

[kanewolf]

Going over my head here a bit with some of the terminology in your second sentence, so you may have to help me out.

With regard to the functions, I did a quick google search of what a commercial NAS is and yes that sounds about right. Main functions will be storage of sensitive information and the ability to connect to it to use different softwares, etc.
I take it I can build my own NAS system? Any spec recommendations for that?

You stressed security in your original post and now use the term sensitive. Those aspects are MUCH higher with a commercial unit. Why, because that is what they do. If you build something, then YOU are responsible for determining and disabling all unnecessary software that might be a back door. You are responsible for keeping everything up to date. Yes, you pay for that by purchasing a commercial unit. But you get their automated testing on each software release, and their watching the vulnerabilities database for things that impact their software baseline.
If you haven't guessed, I am not a fan of build it yourself for small business servers which are primarily for storage.
If you had said, I am a visual artist and I need a render farm, then this is a different conversation. That is why the KEY question is what functions does this hardware have to fulfill?

 

[kanewolf]

I understand.
I don't have any plan for that, but I'd imagine something as simple as backing up the data to another cheap HDD every few months would be fine. If you have another recommendation, I'm all ears.

As @USAFRet said, occasional backups are not optimal. Critical data needs to follow the 3-2-1 rule. Three copies on at least two physical devices with one copy off-site. The off-site requirement is something that a commercial NAS can help support. The commercial units have capabilities to upload to cloud storage assuming your internet upload speed can support it (100 - 200mbit minimum). Otherwise, follow @USAFRet recommendation of carrying hard disks off-site for storage.

 

[TantalizingMoon]

You stressed security in your original post and now use the term sensitive. Those aspects are MUCH higher with a commercial unit. Why, because that is what they do. If you build something, then YOU are responsible for determining and disabling all unnecessary software that might be a back door. You are responsible for keeping everything up to date. Yes, you pay for that by purchasing a commercial unit. But you get their automated testing on each software release, and their watching the vulnerabilities database for things that impact their software baseline.
If you haven't guessed, I am not a fan of build it yourself for small business servers which are primarily for storage.
If you had said, I am a visual artist and I need a render farm, then this is a different conversation. That is why the KEY question is what functions does this hardware have to fulfill?

The server will be mostly for storage as you said.
My main concern with buying a commercial unit is that the research I've done (granted it's very little) made it hard to find a system that wasn't $5k+ which is just overkill for what I'm trying to do. But maybe I'm just misunderstanding.
I don't like any cloud options and that's really the whole point of me setting up this server is so that I can avoid having any of my data being accessed by any third party. I know "technically" the third party isn't supposed to be able to access your data. But whomever has access to the cloud server, has access to the data. My server is meant to be my own cloud.
If you have any recommendations for places to get a commercial unit from, I'll definitely check it out.

 

[kanewolf]

The server will be mostly for storage as you said.
My main concern with buying a commercial unit is that the research I've done (granted it's very little) made it hard to find a system that wasn't $5k+ which is just overkill for what I'm trying to do. But maybe I'm just misunderstanding.
I don't like any cloud options and that's really the whole point of me setting up this server is so that I can avoid having any of my data being accessed by any third party. I know "technically" the third party isn't supposed to be able to access your data. But whomever has access to the cloud server, has access to the data. My server is meant to be my own cloud.
If you have any recommendations for places to get a commercial unit from, I'll definitely check it out.

Cloud security is not an issue if you encrypt your data prior to upload. That is what I do.
The recommendation is to look at Synology and QNAP webpages.
First question, how much total space do you need today? How much in 1 year, 3 years?

Spinning disks need to be thought about for replacement after 5 years because the failure rate increases after 5 years. Might not be an issue when you have 4 to 8 disks but it is an issue when you have thousands, and it is worth keeping in mind. Spinning disks don't last forever.

You asked about a rack mount unit in your initial post. Is that a hard requirement?

 

[TantalizingMoon]

Cloud security is not an issue if you encrypt your data prior to upload. That is what I do.
The recommendation is to look at Synology and QNAP webpages.
First question, how much total space do you need today? How much in 1 year, 3 years?

Spinning disks need to be thought about for replacement after 5 years because the failure rate increases after 5 years. Might not be an issue when you have 4 to 8 disks but it is an issue when you have thousands, and it is worth keeping in mind. Spinning disks don't last forever.

You asked about a rack mount unit in your initial post. Is that a hard requirement?

I'll check out both those suppliers.
Right now, I need probably 5TB, 1 year from now maybe 7-8TB, 3 years maybe 13-15TB. Not much.

Rack mount isn't a hard requirement, but like it for the security of the physical server as well as the fact I've got a rack mount batter backup that I plan to use.

 

[USAFRet]

My main concern with buying a commercial unit is that the research I've done (granted it's very little) made it hard to find a system that wasn't $5k+ which is just overkill for what I'm trying to do. But maybe I'm just misunderstanding.

A 4 bay is around $500 + drives.

QNAP
4 bay $550
https://www.amazon.com/QNAP-TS-431X3-High-Speed-10GbE-Port/dp/B08DTYF7DB

9 bay mixed drives - $670
https://www.amazon.com/QNAP-TS-932PX-4G-High-Speed-10GbE-2-5GbE/dp/B08FB5LBJP

Synology
4 bay - $600
https://www.amazon.com/Synology-4-Bay-DiskStation-DS923-Diskless/dp/B0BM7KDN6R

6 bay for 2.5" drives - $450
https://www.amazon.com/Synology-Bay-2-5-DS620slim-Diskless/dp/B07V6CC4M2

 

[kanewolf]

I'll check out both those suppliers.
Right now, I need probably 5TB, 1 year from now maybe 7-8TB, 3 years maybe 13-15TB. Not much.

Rack mount isn't a hard requirement, but like it for the security of the physical server as well as the fact I've got a rack mount batter backup that I plan to use.

For a rackmount solution with QNAP
TS-464U chassis ($850 US price)
3 x WD RED+ 8TB disks providing 8TB usable RAID1. $200 each -- 2 active plus a shelf spare.
Then in 2 - 3 years you buy 3 more disks to finish filling the slots.
Initial cost $1500.
Rack mount is more expensive. Desktop units have a security slot to allow you to chain them to a rack -- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kensington_Security_Slot

 

[TantalizingMoon]

For a rackmount solution with QNAP
TS-464U chassis ($850 US price)
3 x WD RED+ 8TB disks providing 8TB usable RAID1. $200 each -- 2 active plus a shelf spare.
Then in 2 - 3 years you buy 3 more disks to finish filling the slots.
Initial cost $1500.
Rack mount is more expensive. Desktop units have a security slot to allow you to chain them to a rack -- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kensington_Security_Slot

Awesome, thank you.

Any knowledge on how to integrate the Yubikey that i mentioned in the post script of my original message?

 

[kanewolf]

Awesome, thank you.

Any knowledge on how to integrate the Yubikey that i mentioned in the post script of my original message?

I don't know if the Yubikey is supported, but here is the QNAP article on 2FA -- https://www.qnap.com/hu-hu/how-to/t...ce-account-security-using-2-step-verification