Homelabnewb
Cadet
- Joined
- Dec 20, 2018
- Messages
- 7
Hi everyone. I have a small home network that consists of a general purpose linux server (Sorry BSD guys) that runs a number of docker containers. I have two inexpensive 1tb WD Nas devices that I use for network storage. One is the primary and it backs up to the other on a nightly basis. I am not thrilled with the setup and they are running out of space. They also don't do NFS which would be really helpful for the container volumes. I am planning on replacing the NAS devices with something new. I have used Freenas in the past for temporary labs where I didn't really care about reliability and just ran it on whatever hardware I had around. I am a fan of the product and I would love to have a reliable freenas solution for my home network. I plan on backing up to backblaze cloud as an offsite solution. So here is my conundrum.
I am super busy with work projects and I have also recently become a father. This means that my free time for doing things like researching and tracking down good compatible hardware deals is almost nil. I did look at the hardware guides and recommendations and realized that I may be better off just purchasing an off the shelf nas solution. My current plan is to purchase a synology ds418play for $429 and add x4 2tb WD Red drives for about $325. That is already more than I wanted to spend on the project but I figure if I invest now it will last me longer and I'll have less headaches. The nas will be primarily used to host data shares, nfs shares for containers, backup to a cloud service for offise (probably backblaze but I haven't done enough research yet), and possibly run some light jails. Encoding etc will probably just be handled by my linux server.
I would prefer to use freenas. If any energetic community member would be willing to spend some of their valuable time helping me out by pointing me towards freenas compatible hardware that falls into the same price range and performance I would absolutely go that route instead of the synology. I plan on making the purchase in mid January after I receive my annual bonus but if there is some great deal to be had I could make the purchase sooner. Here are my list of priorities.
1. Cost. I am not willing or able to spend more than $750 for everything including drives
2. Form factor. My home is not wired for ethernet. The device will be going on/under a desk. It cannot be rack mount. A small device is ideal but a tower would be okay. I understand the advantages of hotswap drives but I did read in a recent post that in a home environment due to dust sometimes it's better to not do hotswap. I'm open to either option. I'm not afraid to open a computer. I've built every one I've ever owned.
3. Power draw. I would much prefer something that is reasonably power efficient and not an old processor architecture that will nail me every month on the power bill.
4. Everything else. Obviously I would want a reliable system. Some expansion room would be a nice bonus as well.
Sorry about the long post. I just wanted to be really thorough so anyone who wanted to lend a helping hand had all of the information and I wasn't wasting their time. Thanks a million for taking the time to read this and thanks two million in advance for anyone willing to spend their time helping me out!
I am super busy with work projects and I have also recently become a father. This means that my free time for doing things like researching and tracking down good compatible hardware deals is almost nil. I did look at the hardware guides and recommendations and realized that I may be better off just purchasing an off the shelf nas solution. My current plan is to purchase a synology ds418play for $429 and add x4 2tb WD Red drives for about $325. That is already more than I wanted to spend on the project but I figure if I invest now it will last me longer and I'll have less headaches. The nas will be primarily used to host data shares, nfs shares for containers, backup to a cloud service for offise (probably backblaze but I haven't done enough research yet), and possibly run some light jails. Encoding etc will probably just be handled by my linux server.
I would prefer to use freenas. If any energetic community member would be willing to spend some of their valuable time helping me out by pointing me towards freenas compatible hardware that falls into the same price range and performance I would absolutely go that route instead of the synology. I plan on making the purchase in mid January after I receive my annual bonus but if there is some great deal to be had I could make the purchase sooner. Here are my list of priorities.
1. Cost. I am not willing or able to spend more than $750 for everything including drives
2. Form factor. My home is not wired for ethernet. The device will be going on/under a desk. It cannot be rack mount. A small device is ideal but a tower would be okay. I understand the advantages of hotswap drives but I did read in a recent post that in a home environment due to dust sometimes it's better to not do hotswap. I'm open to either option. I'm not afraid to open a computer. I've built every one I've ever owned.
3. Power draw. I would much prefer something that is reasonably power efficient and not an old processor architecture that will nail me every month on the power bill.
4. Everything else. Obviously I would want a reliable system. Some expansion room would be a nice bonus as well.
Sorry about the long post. I just wanted to be really thorough so anyone who wanted to lend a helping hand had all of the information and I wasn't wasting their time. Thanks a million for taking the time to read this and thanks two million in advance for anyone willing to spend their time helping me out!