Building a file server

[GML3G0]

I want to build a file server. I already bought a Centurion 5 and 2 320GB hard drives, as well as an Earthwatts 380W PSU. I'm still in need of a CPU/motherboard/RAM/video-card-if-not-onboard solution. Any suggestions? I'm trying to minimize costs, but I don't want this thing crashing on me and losing all my data.

Also, if I purchase an APC UPS rated for 300W output max, will that be fine? What happens if I plug in something drawing more than that? Will it just drain quicker in the event that power goes out, or are there more complications? The UPS should provide cleaner power to the system, correct?

 

[obeseotron]

Sorry for the froogle links, I'm lazy...
Sempron 3400+ $$36.50 http://www.ewiz.com/detail.php...1b986a8bc0d54b992fc092
Asus M2A-VM $60 http://www.google.com/product_...l=us&hl=en&sa=merchant
Kingston 512MB DDR667 $13 http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/...85023&prodlist=froogle

$110 before tax+shipping

 

[GML3G0]

hmm, looks good. room for expansion, too, with AM2. thanks.

what about the UPS in my first post?

 

[obeseotron]

I've never used a ups (well not one designed for a single desktop, only datacenter level) so I can't help you there. I can tell you an average desktop (with integrated video) only draws 50-75 watts at idle and 100-150 at load, so 300w output is plenty, even with plenty of extra drives.

 

[JackMDS]

The Gamer approach to File server is very None Functional.

In most case File server can be P-III 1GHz with 1GB RAM (even less cpu and mem. with open source OS).

Decisions about OS, File structure, Back Up, HD structure, Network Speed are the important variables then Room for expansion with AM2, or similar considerations.

 

[Kaido]

My experiences:

http://www.orionmods.com/blog/?p=4

http://www.orionmods.com/blog/?p=5

 

[Madwand1]

Originally posted by: obeseotron
300w output is plenty, even with plenty of extra drives.

This may depend on what you mean by "plenty". HD's typically take the most power during boot-up, and with a large number of drives, it is possible to exceed 300W during boot-up. If the UPS is anything like mine, it'll turn on a siren and try to call the fire department, etc., when this happens. (Just a mild exaggeration.)

I suggest buying an inexpensive Kill-A-Watt or similar device to help figure out stuff like this, and to help further optimize energy expenditure.

BTW, I agree that picking the OS and storage configuration should be priorities before picking the hardware. If you use a standard Windows-based OS, then you might want on-board RAID 5. If it's Linux based, you should use Linux OS RAID 5 instead, and avoid using on-board RAID.

 

[GML3G0]

Originally posted by: Madwand1
BTW, I agree that picking the OS and storage configuration should be priorities before picking the hardware. If you use a standard Windows-based OS, then you might want on-board RAID 5. If it's Linux based, you should use Linux OS RAID 5 instead, and avoid using on-board RAID.

I have purchased two rebadged Seagate (Maxtor) 320GB drives which I will be using in this build. I will be using a Linux distribution with a software RAID 1 mirrored array. From what I gather, I will need to run Samba to get a Windows based system to access the drives, right? NFS I believe won't work with a non-pro version of Windows, which I happen to use.

This is just intended to be a simple storage/backup solution.

$110, as posted by obeseotron isn't too costly, but if a P3 will do it, then why not? Trouble is finding a reliable CPU/motherboard from a mainstream vendor - this is pretty "old" hardware.

 

[Madwand1]

Yes, Samba would be the norm. FTP might give better performance.

I'd consider using the second drive as an external backup instead of RAID 1.

I'd try to find out about Linux support for the motherboard's chipsets before finalizing. If I couldn't find out, I'd look at more commonly-used chipsets -- Intel or nVIDIA.

 

[GML3G0]

All right. Thanks for all your help. I'll have to weigh a few other options before making any decisions.