Linux Server (NAS)

[Singh400]

Now at the moment I have 4 x 1TB HDDs and 1 x 750GB HDD, so if I want that amount I just need to buy another 750GB HDD? That would be 6 SATA ports. The DVD-RW drive will then need to be external.

I suppose that isn't too much of a problem, but who really wants an external DVD-RW drive these days?

You don't need a DVDRW drive <PERIOD>. Just grab one from another computer and connect it up to install the OS and thats it. Then remove it.

It has been suggested that I look for the following hardware by someone with experience building servers according to my specification:

What you want changes with every post. And the 8 sata port mobo I suggested you don't want because it was frowned upon, and any other 8 sata port mobo is going to cost a bomb.

Also, why don't you ask this someone to help you built it? Instead of making us run around in circles suggesting the same things over and over again.

Or maybe, do a little research yourself. You don't want the Abit or the Asus? Fine by me, then do some research on similar or alternative boards!

[mycarsavw]

Or maybe, do a little research yourself. You don't want the Abit or the Asus? Fine by me, then do some research on similar or alternative boards!

This, plus Singh's last post about you seemingly blowing off everyone's suggestions is very true.

A lot of people have given a lot of advice. While I can't see you ( ) it would appear you're just asking everyone to search for you.

How about you make a list of your chosen components and we'll critique it until you lose the will to help any more.

[oimi]

I see what you are saying and I am sorry if I seem ungrateful.

I don't mind boards made by Asus or Abit, it's MSI I am concerned about (because someone who posted in this thread stated there may be realibility problems with this board).

I think it's best that I stick with AMD CPU, because they design their processors energy consciously.

I don't have a spare DVD-RW drive lying around...

[strike-down]

http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/Gigab...-SATA-RAID-ATX

Have a look at that board, has 6 sata ports, but has 4 PCIE x1 so you can add cheap sata controllers to your hearts content.
Just bung a &#163;10 PCI gfx card in it from fleabay as servers dont need good graphics.
I would have a hunt around and try to find an athlon X2 4850e, couldnt find one on scan.

EDIT:

I don't have a spare DVD-RW drive lying around...

I assume you're using a computer to type on this thread . . . ??

[oimi]

http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/Gigab...-SATA-RAID-ATX

Have a look at that board, has 6 sata ports, but has 4 PCIE x1 so you can add cheap sata controllers to your hearts content.
Just bung a £10 PCI gfx card in it from fleabay as servers dont need good graphics.
I would have a hunt around and try to find an athlon X2 4850e, couldnt find one on scan.

EDIT:

I assume you're using a computer to type on this thread . . . ??

Looks like a good suggestion, would you value that over this: http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ASUS-A8N-SLI-D...ayphotohosting ?

I have an old GF MX4000 128MB DDR TV Graphics card, do you think that will work?

I'd rather not take this PC apart every time I want to use a DVD in conjunction with the file server.

[strike-down]

Looks like a good suggestion, would you value that over this: http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ASUS-A8N-SLI-D...ayphotohosting ?

I have an old GF MX4000 128MB DDR TV Graphics card, do you think that will work?

I'd rather not take this PC apart every time I want to use a DVD in conjunction with the file server.

Yes I would. That board is 2nd hand, and is s939 so far more expensive processor wise.
Yes the GF mx4000 would work, got the 64mb version myself.

And once you've installed the OS/drivers, what else would you need the DVD drive for?

[oimi]

Yes I would. That board is 2nd hand, and is s939 so far more expensive processor wise.
Yes the GF mx4000 would work, got the 64mb version myself.

And once you've installed the OS/drivers, what else would you need the DVD drive for?

Okay, please recommend a decent/reliable SATA controller that allows me to configure the arrays in RAID 0-10.

Which processor do I get for this?

It's always good to have a spare DVD-RW drive, I'd keep it in the system in case I needed to install anything else etc.

[oimi]

I've got 6 x 1TB HDDs, so in RAID 6 I will have a lot of usable space. So I need a 6-8 port SATA controller to go with this motherboard now.

[strike-down]

Btw, I just want to reiterate:
RAID is NOT a substitute for backup. Backup should be separate from the server (eg external hdd or separate server)
you have 6 hdds, so why do you need 8 sata ports?
On the board I linked you to there is an IDE PATA channel which would allow you to put in an IDE DVD drive AND a small hdd for the OS (i have a fujitsu 7200rpm 80gb in my server, does the job nicely)

[oimi]

Btw, I just want to reiterate:
RAID is NOT a substitute for backup. Backup should be separate from the server (eg external hdd or separate server)
you have 6 hdds, so why do you need 8 sata ports?
On the board I linked you to there is an IDE PATA channel which would allow you to put in an IDE DVD drive AND a small hdd for the OS (i have a fujitsu 7200rpm 80gb in my server, does the job nicely)

Ah, now that sounds useful!

In reverse response to your comments:

This sounds like a brilliant way to set-up the system, I would much rather have a seperate drive for the operating system (Ubuntu, I think)... The ability to add an IDE DVD-RW drive too, is a bonus.

Now that means that I do not have to be concerned with having 8 SATA ports, 6 will suffice.

Does the motherboard support RAID 6?

[Singh400]

What OS are you going for? A open source one or something like Windows Home Server?

[oimi]

Ubuntu I think...

[Singh400]

Any particular reason you are going for Ubuntu and not Windows Home Server?

[mycarsavw]

If it's just going to be a file server and nothing more, where the key is to have as much storage as is possible, my second post on the thread is, at least in my opinion, the better choice of OS.

As for Ubuntu vs WHS - WHS is a paid for application, Linux is free

[Splash]

Does the motherboard support RAID 6?

http://europe.giga-byte.com/FileList...a770-ud3_e.pdf

Have a read through the manual, it'll tell you.

[Singh400]

As for Ubuntu vs WHS - WHS is a paid for application, Linux is free

True, but WHS makes thing so easy. And linux has a reputation for being hard and a steep learning curve.