Hello,
After several weeks of reading about FeeNAS, exploring the forum and watching videos from Lawrence System's Youtube channel, I decided to go for my first build. :)
The main use will be a file server (Synthing, rsync, smb,...) and will also store CloneZilla images from several PC. I currently have a Synology DS414 that I plan to recycle into a backup server for FreeNAS (via rsync) while waiting to build a second FreeNAS server! :p
For now, the future server will be installed in the living room so it must be silent (important.
Here is the hardware that I think to use...
- Mobo : SuperMicro X11SCH-F
- CPU : Intel Core i3-9100F
- CPU cooler : Noctua NH-U12S
- RAM : 32GB DDR4-2666 ECC UDIMM Samsung or Micron x 1
- OS : SATA DOM 32 Go x 2Intel SSD 320 40 Go x 2 Kingston A400 120GB M.2 x 2
- HDD : WD RED 4 TB WD40EFRX (CMR) x 8
- PSU : Seasonic Focus PX 550W
- Case : Fractal design R5
- Fan : Noctua NF-A14 PWM
- HBA : LSI 2308 SAS 9207-8i with cables SFF-8087/SATA
(- 5.25" bay conversion : Icy Box FatCage MB153SP-B (3 x 3.5") or ToughArmor MB608SP-B (6 x 2.5") or ToughArmor MB996SP-6SB (6 x 2.5"))
... and a few points for reflection/questioning:
For the CPU, I am a little hesitant with the version without the "F" that incorporates a graphics controller. Having never used Plex, I plan to test it with FreeNAS to see if it can suit me. I had used Kodi a few years ago.
The videos will only be streamed locally and on a single device so I don't think I will need to transcode the videos (requires TrueNAS CORE 12 and an iGPU for the selected motherboard).
For the RAM, I thought at first I would use 2 x 16 GB but 1 x 32 GB seems more appropriate for a future upgrade.
For the OS, the motherboard has two M.2 slots which could allow a mirrored configuration with two SSDs but I am thinking that it might be oversized as an operating mode? Installing FreeNAS and restoring configurations seems fast from what I have seen. The advantage is if there is a problem with one SDD and I am away from home, the server is always available for family members.
The case contains two 5.25" bays which I will probably convert to several 3.5" hot swap bays. I plan to use it to create an experiment pool without touching the main pool (ISCSI for an XCP-NG server, encryption, removable backup, ...).
I will add a second fan on the front panel so that all the hard drives are properly ventilated.
The case contains 8 bays of 3.5". I plan to take 6 x 4 TB in RAIDZ2 but I hesitate to take 8 HDD, would imply adding an HBA controller for the conversion of the two 5.25" bays (8 SATA ports for the mobo).
That is where I am now in my thinking.
Feel free to comment or make suggestions regarding my choices. We always learn from the experiences of others.
Thank you for reading me! :)
Edit 17may2020 : Updating the hardware list for OS and adding HBA.
Edit 18may2020 : Adding 5.25" bay conversion.
Edit 04june2020 : Thread title (reflection -> order), updated shopping list
Edit 18july2020 : Thread title (order -> assembling), updated shopping list
After several weeks of reading about FeeNAS, exploring the forum and watching videos from Lawrence System's Youtube channel, I decided to go for my first build. :)
The main use will be a file server (Synthing, rsync, smb,...) and will also store CloneZilla images from several PC. I currently have a Synology DS414 that I plan to recycle into a backup server for FreeNAS (via rsync) while waiting to build a second FreeNAS server! :p
For now, the future server will be installed in the living room so it must be silent (important.
Here is the hardware that I think to use...
- Mobo : SuperMicro X11SCH-F
- CPU : Intel Core i3-9100F
- CPU cooler : Noctua NH-U12S
- RAM : 32GB DDR4-2666 ECC UDIMM Samsung or Micron x 1
- OS : SATA DOM 32 Go x 2
- HDD : WD RED 4 TB WD40EFRX (CMR) x 8
- PSU : Seasonic Focus PX 550W
- Case : Fractal design R5
- Fan : Noctua NF-A14 PWM
- HBA : LSI 2308 SAS 9207-8i with cables SFF-8087/SATA
(- 5.25" bay conversion : Icy Box FatCage MB153SP-B (3 x 3.5") or ToughArmor MB608SP-B (6 x 2.5") or ToughArmor MB996SP-6SB (6 x 2.5"))
... and a few points for reflection/questioning:
For the CPU, I am a little hesitant with the version without the "F" that incorporates a graphics controller. Having never used Plex, I plan to test it with FreeNAS to see if it can suit me. I had used Kodi a few years ago.
The videos will only be streamed locally and on a single device so I don't think I will need to transcode the videos (requires TrueNAS CORE 12 and an iGPU for the selected motherboard).
For the RAM, I thought at first I would use 2 x 16 GB but 1 x 32 GB seems more appropriate for a future upgrade.
For the OS, the motherboard has two M.2 slots which could allow a mirrored configuration with two SSDs but I am thinking that it might be oversized as an operating mode? Installing FreeNAS and restoring configurations seems fast from what I have seen. The advantage is if there is a problem with one SDD and I am away from home, the server is always available for family members.
The case contains two 5.25" bays which I will probably convert to several 3.5" hot swap bays. I plan to use it to create an experiment pool without touching the main pool (ISCSI for an XCP-NG server, encryption, removable backup, ...).
I will add a second fan on the front panel so that all the hard drives are properly ventilated.
The case contains 8 bays of 3.5". I plan to take 6 x 4 TB in RAIDZ2 but I hesitate to take 8 HDD, would imply adding an HBA controller for the conversion of the two 5.25" bays (8 SATA ports for the mobo).
That is where I am now in my thinking.
Feel free to comment or make suggestions regarding my choices. We always learn from the experiences of others.
Thank you for reading me! :)
Edit 17may2020 : Updating the hardware list for OS and adding HBA.
Edit 18may2020 : Adding 5.25" bay conversion.
Edit 04june2020 : Thread title (reflection -> order), updated shopping list
Edit 18july2020 : Thread title (order -> assembling), updated shopping list
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