Hi all, thank you in advance for reading my post (hopefully this is the right location to place this).
 

This will be my first time building a home server, my target was to build an array used for hosting a Plex Media Server as well as for Network accessible storage.

I have already built the box using:

 

CPU: Intel Core i3-10100
MoBo: ASRock H470M-ITX
Ram: Corsair Vengeance LPX 16 GB (2 x 8 GB) DDR4 3200 MHz
PSU: EVGA SuperNOVA 550 GM 550W Modular 80+ Gold (SFX)
CPU Cooler: Noctua NH-L9i

USB: SanDisk Cruzer Fit 32GB USB 2.0 Flash Drive

SSD(s): PNY CS2130 M.2 NVMe 1TB

HDD(s): WD 4TB Red Pro (x2)
Case: Sharkoon QB One

(Some bits might be overkill, but 16gb ram worked out cheaper than 8gb, those types of scenarios)

So I'm now trying to figure out the best OS and way to sort this with not much prior experience. Open to all suggestions as I'm using this as a learning experience at the same time - got the USB for the OS as I heard Unraid prefers that. The SSD is for the Media Caching and i3-10100 has iGPU for hardcoding if required. Now, I say it like I know what I'm talking about - wrong! I'm barely scratching the service. This is from the few things I have read and watched.

I'm keen to see what you guys would do and how if you had this kit? For example, would I use the FlashDrive for the OS? the SSD for caching? the two HDD's - would you opt for 1x data, 1x parity etc..?

 

Then once all configured, what's the best way to get this data accessed via the network? Do I need to add extra security to keep it safe?

 

Is all of this much simpler to figure out with the UNRAID software? Is UNRAID the best option? Also regarding containers, should I look into these or no extra value added?

 

Many thanks for those sharing your knowledge and giving me your time.

 

Bootlegger

2 hours ago, Bootlegger said:

got the USB for the OS as I heard Unraid prefers that.

Unraid REQUIRES that.

2 hours ago, Bootlegger said:

iGPU for hardcoding

transcoding

2 hours ago, Bootlegger said:

use the FlashDrive for the OS?

REQUIRED

2 hours ago, Bootlegger said:

the SSD for caching?

as cache disk, which is usually also used for dockers and VMs so they will perform better without spinning up the array.

2 hours ago, Bootlegger said:

two HDD's - would you opt for 1x data, 1x parity

To start with. One of the great features of Unraid is the ability to easily add additional disks of mixed sizes without rebuilding the array.

2 hours ago, Bootlegger said:

get this data accessed via the network

If you mean your LAN that is just the way things work. Unraid is a NAS (Network Attached Storage) Operating System. Your Unraid server will be accessible on your LAN. You create User Shares (that can span disks when you get more disks), and you create Users that can be given read-only or full access to each of those User Shares.

 

If instead you mean accessed over the internet, Unraid has WireGuard VPN built-in and it is easy to setup. You would just need to install WireGuard on anything that needed remote access.

 

2 hours ago, Bootlegger said:

regarding containers, should I look into these

This is exactly how you

2 hours ago, Bootlegger said:

hosting a Plex Media Server

There are literally hundreds of Apps available to install as Docker containers on Unraid, including Plex Media Server. See here:

 

https://unraid.net/community/apps