BUILD New build, comments and advices ?

[arameen]

Hi reader
After 2 years with NAS4free I decided to move to freeNAS.
My previous PC serves as my NAS4free server. And the next step now is to build a completely new machine dedicated to running FreeNAS. This machine will be used to stores files, no streaming. I will be accessing my documents that will be stored there, otherwise just storing. No uTorrent running, not at this point.
Now to the hardware I would like to get your opinion about.

SABERTOOTH 990FX R2.0
http://www.asus.com/Motherboards/SABERTOOTH_990FX_R20/overview/

ECC RAM totally 32 GB Depending on the price:
Either 4x 8GB Module - DDR3 1600MHz Part Number: KVR16E11/8
Or 4x 8GB Module - DDR3 1600MHz Part Number: KVR16N11/8
Or 2x 16GB Kit* (2x8GB) - DDR3 1600MHz Part Number: KVR16N11K2/16
Or 1x 32GB Kit* (4x8GB) - DDR3 1600MHz Part Number: KVR16E11K4/32
http://www.kingston.com/us/memory/search/Default.aspx?DeviceType=7&Mfr=ASU&Line=SABERTOOTH Motherboard&Model=85083&DisPart=&Description=Kingston_ValueRam_Memory_HyperX_Memory_for_ASUS/ASmobile_SABERTOOTH_Motherboard_990FX_R2.0 (check box ECC, left side!)

AMD CPU Athlon II X2 280 3,6GHz 1MB Tray AM3 65W + appropriate CPU cooler.

Be Quiet Be quiet! Pure Power L8-350W 350Watt
http://www.bequiet.com/en/powersupply/391

Hard drives
2x WD Red 4TB HDD Review (WD40EFRX) 1 raidz2 pool should have been 1 raidz1 pool ! my fault
2x SEAGATE BARRACUDA 3TB 7200RPM SATA/600 64MB 1 raidz2 pool raidz1
2x SEAGATE BARRACUDA 3TB 7200RPM SATA/600 64MB 1 raidz2 pool raidz1
2x SEAGATE BARRACUDA 3TB 7200RPM SATA/600 64MB 1 raidz2 pool raidz1
http://www.storagereview.com/wd_red_4tb_hdd_review_wd40efrx
http://www.seagate.com/gb/en/internal-hard-drives/desktop-hard-drives/desktop-hdd/?sku=ST3000DM001

Asus GeForce EN210 Silent/DI/1GD3/V2(LP) 1GB
http://www.asus.com/se/Graphics_Cards/EN210_SILENTDI1GD3V2LP/

Intel® PRO/1000 GT Desktop Adapter (Eventually because I read Realteks will perform poorly under CPU load! )
http://www.intel.com/products/desktop/adapters/pro1000gt/pro1000gt-overview.htm



Now some of my comments and questions:

I went with this motherboard because this is one of few ones supporting ECC memory in stores. The negative here is the limitation of 32GB, would have preferred one supporting 64GB.
I read a little about Supermicro but it is a completely new brand for me, not sure if there is any point in looking into it, learning new configurations ….. ? What do you think?

I am interested in ZFS and seem I will not get out much of it if not using ECC memory. So I decided to go with ECC memory.
According to the link (check ECC in the left, motherboard already chosen)
http://www.kingston.com/us/memory/search/Default.aspx?DeviceType=7&Mfr=ASU&Line=SABERTOOTH Motherboard&Model=85083&DisPart=&Description=Kingston_ValueRam_Memory_HyperX_Memory_for_ASUS/ASmobile_SABERTOOTH_Motherboard_990FX_R2.0
All the mentioned memories above should work with this motherboard. On ASUS memory support list http://www.asus.com/Motherboards/SABERTOOTH_990FX_R20/HelpDesk_QVL/ those memories are not mentioned at all. But I guess this is no issue at all?

The CPU I choose is just a random cheap one I could find on ASUS list of supported CPUs http://www.asus.com/Motherboards/SABERTOOTH_990FX_R20/HelpDesk_CPU/ and that was still being sold somewhere, most other CPUs on that list are hard to find in stores! Because I assume I can use other CPUs then those on that list ?
Question here is, is there any minimum requirement of CPU? When I look around I find nothing like that at all.

I added a network interface, but not sure if it’s really needed. Maybe the build in motherboard works fine? Try and upgrade later if needed?

About the GPU. I know I don’t need it to run freeNAS. But to install freeNAS I will need to connect the machine to a screen? And after the installation if ever I need to access the machine directly on screen, I will need the graphic card. Is there a workaround or a solution for that? So I can skip buying a videocard?
Besides, to be honest I am not sure if a machine could even startup without a video card is installed?

About the rest of the hardware, hard drives, PSU ... no questions at all.
So what do you think ?

by the way, this is my first post ever on this forum, so I appreciate all help :)

 

[danb35]

You're building a server, so you should really consider server-grade hardware. SuperMicro isn't the only manufacturer, but they're the best known and most-used around here. They also aren't too expensive--the X10SLL-F-O motherboard is less expensive than the one you're looking at, and has onboard video. It has 6 SATA ports vs. 8; if you really need 8 ports you would want to look at the X10SL7-F-O instead. It's a bit more expensive, but gives you 14 SATA ports.

A two-disk configuration is not RAIDZ2; it's a mirror. You could ditch the 4TB disks entirely and set up the six remaining 3TB disks in a RAIDZ2 pool with approx. 12TB net capacity. You should also consider different disks--7200rpm disks aren't optimal for this environment, as they tend to use more power and run hotter than 5400 ones. If you already have them, you can use them, but they aren't the best choice if you're buying new hardware.

Either of the SuperMicro motherboards I suggested supports IPMI, which lets you manage your server remotely. So, even though they have onboard video, you won't ever need to use it--you can do everything over your network.

As far as CPUs go, the Socket 1150 Celerons, Pentiums, i3s, and Xeon E3s support ECC. The i5s and i7s don't. A Celeron G1850 is about $55 and should meet your needs without problems.

 

[Ericloewe]

You're building a server, so you should really consider server-grade hardware. SuperMicro isn't the only manufacturer, but they're the best known and most-used around here. They also aren't too expensive--the X10SLL-F-O motherboard is less expensive than the one you're looking at, and has onboard video. It has 6 SATA ports vs. 8; if you really need 8 ports you would want to look at the X10SL7-F-O instead. It's a bit more expensive, but gives you 14 SATA ports.

A two-disk configuration is not RAIDZ2; it's a mirror. You could ditch the 4TB disks entirely and set up the six remaining 3TB disks in a RAIDZ2 pool with approx. 12TB net capacity. You should also consider different disks--7200rpm disks aren't optimal for this environment, as they tend to use more power and run hotter than 5400 ones. If you already have them, you can use them, but they aren't the best choice if you're buying new hardware.

Either of the SuperMicro motherboards I suggested supports IPMI, which lets you manage your server remotely. So, even though they have onboard video, you won't ever need to use it--you can do everything over your network.

As far as CPUs go, the Socket 1150 Celerons, Pentiums, i3s, and Xeon E3s support ECC. The i5s and i7s don't. A Celeron G1850 is about $55 and should meet your needs without problems.

This.

Also, using 64GB of RAM is a pipe dream unless you move to Xeon E5s and Registered RAM.

Useful links:

http://forums.freenas.org/index.php?threads/hardware-recommendations-read-this-first.23069/
http://forums.freenas.org/index.php...ning-vdev-zpool-zil-and-l2arc-for-noobs.7775/
http://forums.freenas.org/index.php...ations-for-supermicro-x10-motherboards.23291/

(Full disclosure: I wrote the last one)

 

[Mynorx]

View: http://youtu.be/IZJRzIq6GuQ

go with this mobo
X10SL7-F-O
this memory kit
Crucial 16GB (2 x 8GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM ECC Unbuffered DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Server Memory Model CT2KIT102472BD160B

 

[arameen]

thanks for all 3 links guys.
I will start over from scratch with the hardware, luckily I checked the forums before buying those hardware I posted before.
After reading all the links, and it really is much to read and many details to check. I will still need your opinions.
I will go with supermicro. It seems I can find it in a store in Sweden.
For example I found the X10SL7-F-O but on the other side I couldn't find it on supermicros website? I would like to read more details about this card on their webpage ?

After reading the hardware links provided I am considering maybe not go with raidz1 which was my thought from beginning, instead go with raidz2 ? The tricky thing here is that I already have all harddrives I got. 8 as in the list above. 2 of those are WD RED, and they are not enough for a raidz2 configuration. While the rest 6 Seagate could function as 2 pools with raidz2. But, i even have several 3 WD green harddrives that I use for windows storage, never intended to use here. I coulde use them in my freenas instead or just switch them with some drives from the list above and use in my freenas machine. What I read before about WD green and Raid was that those disks are strongly disadviced to be used in raid ? but on the freenas hardware links you sent it says people use WD green and by that reduce power consumtion ?

When it comes to connecting drives i will propably need a motherboard with at least 8 SATA contacts, as minimum. But i am not sure anymore how many drives to use totally in my freeNAS. Specially when i see many supermicro cards having as most 6 SATA but lots of SAS. And there is no SAS doesnt connecto to SATA whatsoever ? (ble (I know this is a noobish questions )?
The disks i dont use in the freeNAS would in the case be used as external windowsbackup (with no selfhealing...)
What do you think? put even more disks than 8 into the machine? or reduce? the disk that will not be in the freenas machine will be used as external backup disk in windows.

I wanna avoid upgrading and changing that is why i am thinkin about mroe ram than just 32GB.
But is there really no motherboard card supporting 64 GB not requering a very expensive CPU ?

about USB memories, there was a recomendation not to use non brand. Not sure why? i mean if the a cheap USB memory dies, just plugin a new one and reinstall freeNAS with the configurations. Isnt that possible as in nas4free ? or is the USB recomdation to avoid this reinstall?

 

[Mynorx]

1. When searching for the X10SL7-F-O on the supermicro site leave the last -O out.
http://www.supermicro.com/products/motherboard/xeon/c220/x10sl7-f.cfm

2. From what I understand it's ok to use different brand drives as long as they are all the same capacity.

3. You may wanna read this post about using green drives.
http://forums.freenas.org/index.php?threads/hacking-wd-greens-and-reds-with-wdidle3-exe.18171/

4. The X10SL7-F-O, has 8 SAS ports they are ment to be used with higher performance drives, but will handle regular hard drives. They come in a RAID configuration. You have to flash them to IT firmware so they perform as regular non raid ports (raid will be handled by freenas and not the hardware controller)
http://forums.freenas.org/index.php?threads/suggestions-before-i-commit.23132/#post-140489

5. I just have a 16gb Kingston usb 2.0 flash drive connected to the usb 3.0 header that's next to the cpu. It seems to work fine.

I'm just learning so you may want to do a little more research on your own. So far this has worked for me.

 

[arameen]

When having many harddrives in my freeNAS. Is there any smart way to mark every harddrive inside the chassi and in FreeNAS?
So when I see in freNAS that one drive is down (dead) I know easily wich harddrive that is inside the chassi and can remove the correct one?
Instead of disconnected one harddrive after the other until finding out which one is the dead one ?

 

[enemy85]

When having many harddrives in my freeNAS. Is there any smart way to mark every harddrive inside the chassi and in FreeNAS?
So when I see in freNAS that one drive is down (dead) I know easily wich harddrive that is inside the chassi and can remove the correct one?
Instead of disconnected one harddrive after the other until finding out which one is the dead one ?

Just sign the serial number of the hard drive on it in a place u can easily see it

 

[arameen]

Just sign the serial number of the hard drive on it in a place u can easily see it

Do you mean the serial drive that is printed on the drive?
It will be the first time i install FreeNAS. So I wonder if I can see the serial number of the drive inside the GUI ?

another idea is if i can mark every drive with a number, 1, 2, 3, 4 ... and so on then in GUI give them the name of 1, 2, 3, 4 for every drive i add to simply see what is dead and what to remove

 

[danb35]

You can see the serial numbers in the GUI.

 

[Ericloewe]

Do you mean the serial drive that is printed on the drive?
It will be the first time i install FreeNAS. So I wonder if I can see the serial number of the drive inside the GUI ?

another idea is if i can mark every drive with a number, 1, 2, 3, 4 ... and so on then in GUI give them the name of 1, 2, 3, 4 for every drive i add to simply see what is dead and what to remove

Yes, the drives have their serial numbers printed on them, visibly. WD at least even adds a sticker visible in some enclosures with the serial number.
It will be visible from the GUI.

 

[enemy85]

As already said

 

[joelmusicman]

Just curious, but why the 6 3tb Seagates in different mirrored pairs?

For most every home use scenario having a single 6 drive RAIDZ2 pool is more than sufficient speed-wise, offers better data protection, and even an extra drive's worth of available storage...

 

[arameen]

Just curious, but why the 6 3tb Seagates in different mirrored pairs?

For most every home use scenario having a single 6 drive RAIDZ2 pool is more than sufficient speed-wise, offers better data protection, and even an extra drive's worth of available storage...

In my current nas4free machine i have those 6 harddrives configured in 2 pools as raidz2.
In my new freeNAS machine i would like to get more space, so i want to have 3 pools raidz1. But after reading several posts telling that raidz1 with bigger disks is not so safe, i will have to go with 2 pools instead, containing 3 seagates in riadz2.
When it comes to configurations, i am still newbie. The only thing i understand well is the differences between raidz1, 2 or 3 ....
Pools and the rest is still not so clear for me.
So if you wanna suggest another configuration I would gladly think about it :)
I have even 2 WD red 4 TB that i will use in i radiz2, not raidz1, so i will buy a third one for those.

 

[enemy85]

For a raidz1 u need at least 3disks, for raidz2 at least 4

 

[arameen]

For a raidz1 u need at least 3disks, for raidz2 at least 4

is that true?
sounds different from what I am used to in nas4free
and both systems using zfs
can you provide a link explaining and giving advices about raidz1 concifugrations, pools and so on. (the one from this forum I read so far were not good, at least not for me)

 

[enemy85]

http://forums.freenas.org/index.php...ning-vdev-zpool-zil-and-l2arc-for-noobs.7775/

 

[joelmusicman]

It's mostly a naming thing:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RAID#Standard_levels

Note that FreeNAS and Nas4Free both use different terminology. With only two drives you're only able to use RAID0 (striping) or RAID1 (mirroring). RAIDZ1 (Freenas terminology) = RAID5, 2+ data drives, 1 parity drive. RAIDZ2 = RAID6, 2+ data drives, 2 parity drives.

 

[arameen]

It's mostly a naming thing:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RAID#Standard_levels

Note that FreeNAS and Nas4Free both use different terminology. With only two drives you're only able to use RAID0 (striping) or RAID1 (mirroring). RAIDZ1 (Freenas terminology) = RAID5, 2+ data drives, 1 parity drive. RAIDZ2 = RAID6, 2+ data drives, 2 parity drives.

thanks, now i got it :)

 

[arameen]

So what raidz setup would you guys choose with my 2 x WD Red 4TB and 6x Seagate 3 TB ? consider you are interested in loosing at most one disk before loosing data ?!


Anyone got an advice for moving my data from my current nas4free to my new FreeNAS ? Something smoother then moving the files by windows 7 (copying from Nas4Free pasting into FreeNAS)