items tagged with fileserver
High avaibility NAS File Server
Written By: Administrator
Section: PC and Hardware
Category: Storage
2006-05-11 18:27:58
Written By: Administrator
Section: PC and Hardware
Category: Storage
2006-05-11 18:27:58
I will be building in the next few days my own Network Array Storage (NAS) monster:
- RAID 6 , instead of RAID5, so 2 disks can fail in the array. A 7 Hot spare is planned
- Hardware RAID because the cheap motherboard (NVIDIA) only support in best case software RAID5
- GIGABIT network...
- Linux powered of course: FreeBSD for security or OpenFiler (RedHat) for it's ease of use...
- Crypto loop (Linux kernel 2.6 dmcrypt), private keys on USB stick, only 20GB will NOT be encrypted
- FileSystem: XFS or ReiserFS because I will be storing big files
The hardware will look as follow:
- 6 Maxtor 7L300R0 MaXLine III, 7200rpm, 16MB, 300GB, IDE, 24/7 server : 60 Months garanty! 104/each = 624
- AMD Athlon 64 3000+ BOX, Socket 939, Venice, the least expensive Athlon 64 99
- Asus A8N-VM CSM, mATX, Nvidia 6150/430 Video, socket 939, SATA RAID, because I need PCI-E for the hardware RAID 70
- Promise SuperTrak EX8350, SATA2, 8 SATA port, Raid6 Controller, because Promise support Linux 297
- Thermaltake Armor (bought previously)
- Zalman CNPS9500 LED, Socket 754/939/940/478/LGA775 53
I will explain later why I did not bought a SOHO NAS, but briefly because:
- For the price of my complete system, I have an empty SOHO NAS box or with 250GB (Raid0)
- I have 8 + 6 = 14 SATA ports!
- SOHO NAS are only RAID5 in best case
- Bad performances of SOHO NAS
NAS @ HOME part 1 building
Written By: Administrator
Section: PC and Hardware
Category: Storage
2006-05-23 22:31:03
Read More About NAS @ HOME Part 1 Building...
Written By: Administrator
Section: PC and Hardware
Category: Storage
2006-05-23 22:31:03
 Penguin computing power! |
Here we goes, I've receive yesterday all missing hardware to finish the building of my own NAS. A NAS (or Network Attached Storage) is a hard disk storage device that is set up with its own network address rather than being attached directly to the computer that is serving applications or files to a network's users. By using a NAS, both applications and files can be served faster because they are not competing for the same processor resources. The NAS is attached to a local area network (typically, an Ethernet network) and assigned an IP address. ... Here is some pictures...Nothing really special, if You already know how to build a computer by Your own... |
Read More About NAS @ HOME Part 1 Building...
NAS Raid ready for the masses?
Written By: Administrator
Section: PC and Hardware
Category: Storage
2006-04-24 22:36:28
I've start looking at RAID 5 NAS array (a way to ensure redundancy of data and allow a set of files to be accessible across a network of machine) system 2 months ago, reading a lot of articles at the best hardware reviewers:
I came also across some very good resources, one for example listing the SATA chipsets which are recognized under Linux which is a must read before buying any mainboard or controller. And then get shocked by this performance RAID roundup: Hardware Vs Software RAID, where the Linux kernel is a clearly winner.
Basically, the number of choice are now limited:
Links and resources
Written By: Administrator
Section: PC and Hardware
Category: Storage
2006-04-24 22:36:28
I've start looking at RAID 5 NAS array (a way to ensure redundancy of data and allow a set of files to be accessible across a network of machine) system 2 months ago, reading a lot of articles at the best hardware reviewers:
- TomsHardware which has a dedicated NAS section, (German site review)
- Anandtech which has made review of the major NAS on the market: Buffalo, Infrant (X6 and NV)
A lot of new products have appeared in the last months, sign of a consumer demand. I have a lot of possibilities, each with their strengths and weakness:
 |  |  | |
| Infrant Ready NAS NV | Intel SS4000E | Thecus 4100 |
- Build my own small system, ($300 without disks), an ASUS Nforce mainboard (Gigabit, PCI-E, Video), an Athlon X64 3200MHz, but the CPU alone consume 90Watts (less in economic mode) and it is difficult to find a power supply under 200Watts. I already have a box (A mini ThermalTake tower for sure too big in the living room)
- Buy a Infrant ReadyNAS NV ($900 without disks), because it has a great community (Forums), is small, look nice, consume only 50Watts. But I am concerned by performances problems (not consistent, good in read). Attention it is by far the faster SOHO NAS on the market as it outperform Buffalo Terrastation, Synologic base NAS by figures. [AnandTech]
- Buy a Intel SS4000E ($850 without disks), mainly because its small, run dedicated XOR engine at 400MHz vs only 200MHz for Infrant NV, but it also consume a lot more: 200Watts, and it hasn't been reviewed till now. Intel technical sheet also state that the CPU can reach 600MHz.
- Buy a dedicated RAID 5 hardware card, there is a lot available, but their prices are ridiculous for a personal use, more than 400 euro and for a little more it is today possible to build a top system based on a NFORCE4, Athlon XP64, Memory. Linux driver support is not bad (Promise, Escalade) but their drivers are not open source. This option fell down, as I do not have a PCI-Express port on my A7N8X NFORCE2, and may want to get rid of that big tower soon.
I came also across some very good resources, one for example listing the SATA chipsets which are recognized under Linux which is a must read before buying any mainboard or controller. And then get shocked by this performance RAID roundup: Hardware Vs Software RAID, where the Linux kernel is a clearly winner.
Basically, the number of choice are now limited:
- Wait for the Intel SS4000E review, or hope for a faster ReadyNas from Infrant.
- Keep my biggest tower (huge Thermaltake Armor) and run on a new mainboard (Time to get rid of my 2001 mainboard NFORCE2? ) a software RAID array.
Links and resources
- NFORCE4 chipset Serial ATA and RAID performance compared,
- The Software-RAID HOWTO
- mdadm is a tool for creating, maintaining, and monitoring Linux "md" device arrays, also known as Software RAID.
- Remark: even if the NVRAID function is running into the NFORCE chipset, it is a FAKE raid, purely software, and not as efficient as Linux 2.6 raid
- Promise Hardware Controller
- RAID 5 and beyond: RAID 6 controller roundup
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