New FreeNAS build - recommendations

[clefus]

This is my first FreeNAS hardware build. Would love to see some feedback...The basic requirements are as follows:

Must have hot-swappable disks.
Must be able to support AT LEAST 8 TB.
Needs to be able to support multiple HD video streams.
Must be fully recoverable with hardware failure.
Prefer a smaller form factor case.
Needs to support not less than 2 drives....more preferred.
Prefer something with a small energy / heat foot print.

Here is the proposed hardware I am looking at:

Case Choice 1:
ES34069
Compact High Storage Capacity Server Chassis
ES34069
http://www.chenbro.com/corporatesite/products_detail.php?sku=79

I am concerned about finding this case in stock...Also...should I be looking at ES34169 instead? I'm not sure I see the difference.

Case Choice 2:
Ark Technology
ITX/CS-CI03
Model #CS-CI03
http://www.arktechinc.net/server-case/itx-cs-ci03.html


Motherboard:
Intel Desktop Motherboard LGA1155 DDR3 1600 mini-ITX - BOXDH77DF
DH77DF
http://www.amazon.com/Intel-Desktop...ini-ITX/dp/tech-data/B007S9PF92/ref=de_a_smtd


Processor:
Intel Core i5 3470T 2.9 GHz 3 MB 35W! (2 cores 4 threads via HT)
http://ark.intel.com/products/65703/Intel-Core-i5-3470T-Processor-3M-Cache-up-to-3_60-GHz


HeatSink - Do I really need a low profile heat sink?
May have to find another if I need it...currently this one is unavailable.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...SIN=B006V5SZMI&linkCode=as2&tag=samkearcom-20


RAM
ECC Version - (Ignore the ECC...it does not appear to work with the motherboard/processor....is that a deal breaker on the M/B?)
http://www.crucial.com/store/partspecs.aspx?IMODULE=CT2K8G3ERSLD8160B

Non-ECC Version if costs get too high...
http://www.crucial.com/store/partspecs.aspx?IMODULE=CT2KIT102464BD160B


Boot Drive
mSATA drive
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227746

 

[clefus]

I think I have decided since this is a home build...ECC is really not necessary. The stuff I do at work is all ECC....but that is a much larger production environment...would love to have ECC at home...but don't think it is a deal breaker at this point.

 

[clefus]

No comments? Come on guys....help a guy out!

 

[Joshua Parker Ruehlig]

i don't know why'd get an msata boot drive. if you were to get that use it as zil (speeds up writes) or l2arc (speeds up reads). freenas boot drive only uses 2GB and is read into ram so performance isn't affected by having a faster/slower boot drive

 

[clefus]

i don't know why'd get an msata boot drive. if you were to get that use it as zil (speeds up writes) or l2arc (speeds up reads). freenas boot drive only uses 2GB and is read into ram so performance isn't affected by having a faster/slower boot drive

Much appreciated...will consider that.

Both of the cases listed only support 4 hot swap drive bays. If that is what I end up with (say 2 TB drives for all 4) what type of drive config do you recommend for ZFS?

Does anyone know of any small ITX cases that have more hot swap drive bays? 5 or 6?

 

[Stephens]

I know the one I use, Lian-Li PC-Q08, supports 6 + a 5" (optical). They make at least one other too. I believe Fractal Design has some too.

more.

 

[clefus]

I know the one I use, Lian-Li PC-Q08, supports 6 + a 5" (optical). They make at least one other too. I believe Fractal Design has some too.

more.

I had looked at the Lian-Li PC-Q08...what had deterred me previously was all the hard drives appear to be internal? I was really hoping for hot swap...am a little torn between being able to hot swap and being able to add a couple other drives.

Pretty much the same thing with Fractal Designs....I feel like I am buying a full size PC case instead of a small case.

http://www.fractal-design.com/?view=product&prod=57
http://www.fractal-design.com/?view=product&category=2&prod=59
http://www.fractal-design.com/?view=product&category=2&prod=58

Does anyone know of a small case that has 6 hot swap bays?

I would also maybe consider this case: http://usa.chenbro.com/corporatesite/products_detail.php?sku=224

This looks awesome: http://nbtaifa.en.alibaba.com/produ..._Swappable_SATA_SAS_Drive_Bays_Mini_ITX_.html But, I'm not sure I can get it.