This will be my first build and I am looking for feedback on my hardware selection. We are in the process of moving and will need to set up our own storage, and thought NAS would be suitable. It's purpose will be a central location multiple users can access scientific data, so the file types will include video, images, office documents. The images and videos in particular are large files (1-2GB each). We are currently using 6TB of data, which will lead me to some other questions.
My primary concerns are reliability, maintenance/performance, as well as upgrade-ability if we need to add storage (I've only done some quick reading on setting up the pools and such from the n00b slideshow, so I know this may have to be thought out some more).
I'm also trying to read the documentation and forums as much as possible, trying to do as much research as I can, so please excuse me if I have not found the answer I'm looking for. I can also provide links to specific items below if needed.
Some of my other questions/thoughts were:
If I can explain anything better I will be glad to do so, as well as learn. I'm sure I will have plenty of questions, and I appreciate all the help.
My primary concerns are reliability, maintenance/performance, as well as upgrade-ability if we need to add storage (I've only done some quick reading on setting up the pools and such from the n00b slideshow, so I know this may have to be thought out some more).
I'm also trying to read the documentation and forums as much as possible, trying to do as much research as I can, so please excuse me if I have not found the answer I'm looking for. I can also provide links to specific items below if needed.
- ADATA AV120 8GB USB Thumb Flash Drive - MFg:
- ASUS P8B-X LGA 1155 Intel C202 ATX Intel Xeon E3 Server Motherboard
- Intel Xeon E3-1230 3.2GHz 4 x 256KB L2 Cache 8MB L3 Cache LGA 1155 80W Quad-Core Server Processor BX80623E31230
- MASSCOOL 8W2002F1M4 90mm Long Life Bearing CPU Cooler for INTEL Socket LGA 1155/1156 Cooper base
- Kingston KVR1333D3E9SK2/16G 16GB (2 x 8GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM ECC Unbuffered DDR3 1333 Server Memory (16GB to start with, will most likely decide to max at 32GB at time of build or soon after).
- Antec Three Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
Some of my other questions/thoughts were:
- If I can partition a HDD, e.g., the 2TB into (2) 1TB and have them as separate drives, similar to doing so in Windows (e.g., mapping a network drive). I would like to have each HDD dedicated (for example) to a type of media or type of file we use, i.e., instead of buying 2 1TB HDD, one HDD for images and one HDD for videos, purchase a 2TB and partition it for these two types of files. We also currently have individual folders, so I'd like to have a dedicated HDD for users.
- I had originally planned a small partitioning one of the HDD for FreeNAS instead of using a USB drive. My only objection to using USB was that I did not want it to be easily pulled out (if it's plugged in externally), but I can just place the USB drive in the casing instead.
If I can explain anything better I will be glad to do so, as well as learn. I'm sure I will have plenty of questions, and I appreciate all the help.