Cheapie file server for photo library

My principle use case is providing an online destination for a ShadowProtect backup process running on each of two machines in my home network. Incremental backups to the NAS are performed by ShadowProtect daily, with complete image rebuilds monthly. Both workstations are used for photo editing. Working files are always stored on workstation disks, so backup is only accessed for reading when some recovery is needed. One machine's backup image file is about 400GB, and the other's is about 300GB.

 

Secondary use case is to provide a guest-accessible storage spot for general file sharing of a temporary nature.

 

UnRAID server will replace D-Link DNS-323, which is a two-drive NAS with RAID1 mirroring. Maximum write speed to DNS-323 is 11MB/s, despite upgrade to 1000BaseT network connection. Speeds six times that are routine using unRAID server. DNS-323 drives were 2TB each, providing 2TB storage. It took 15 minutes just to erase old images, which had to be done routinely because the disks filled up so often.

 

Internet access provided by broadband cellular, which is limited to 8GB/month, preventing any cloud backup option. Router is Cradlepoint MBR1000, which provides firewall for internal network (though IP address for access from outside is not stable at all). Router used for DHCP, but unRAID server given a static IP outside the DHCP range (as is also the case with three printers). Network switch is D-Link DGS 1016D.

 

This project began with the gift of a disused Dell desktop, which I repurposed to become a NAS. Prices shown are amounts paid for the project.

 

OS at time of building: unRAID 5.0-rc8a Plus

CPU: 2.8 GHz Intel Pentium 4 model 520

Motherboard: scavenged from a Dell Dimension 4700 (free), BIOS Version 10 (the final version provided by Dell for this MB). The only useful tidbit provided with this MB was a PCI-e 16-lane slot. Everything else is pretty unimpressive. The on-board NIC was Fast Ethernet only.

RAM: Four 1GB Crucial DDR2 unbuffered non-ECC sticks (free)

Case: NZXT Source 210 black mid-tower case ($40)

Drive Cage(s): Case contains fixed cage for 8 3.5" drives

Power Supply: Inland ATX-ILG-600R2 600-watt, single 12V rail. ($45 on sale)

 

NIC: Tenda TEL9901G (Realtek 8169 chip, requires r8169 driver). MB NIC disabled in BIOS. ($12)

SATA Expansion Card(s): IBM M1015, flashed with LSI9210-8i (IT) firmware, PCI-e 8-lane, with forward SATA expansion cables ($125, with BIOS flashed already).

Cables: As supplied with above, except for several sloppy-looking fan splitters ($3)

Fans: Stock fan exhausting from top of case. CPU cooling system integral fan in exhaust orientation, which didn't fit the case that well but nothing a couple of self-drilling, self-tapping screws could not fix (fan and CPU heatsink as from Dell). Package of four 120mm CoolerMaster quiet cheapies, two use in front of drive stack, in intake orientation. Fan on power supply in exhaust orientation. Air is brought in from front and exhaust to top and rear. ($10)

 

Parity Drive: 2 TB Western Digital Caviar Green ($110)

Data Drives: 2 TB Western Digital Caviar Green (1), 2 TB Seagate Barracuda LP (2), total storage 6 TB ($330)

Windows drive: Left in system to provide boot capability when unRAID thumb drive removed, whatever 40G drive came from Dell. Installed in 5.25" slot using adapter, and connected to slow MoBo SATA port. All 8 3.5" slots in case reserved for unRAID future use.

Cache Drive: None

OS Drive: Staples Relay Micro USB Flash Drive (16G), because it was microscopic and doesn't stick out the back of the server box. ($20)

Total Drive Capacity: 8 drives, including parity drive

 

Total cost of this project: ~$700, including array drives.

 

Primary Use: Photo storage, primarily as a backup. All files are stored on disks in each workstation, and backed up daily to unRAID file server. External storage on BluRay disks made occasionally. Internet access to work area limited to Verizon LTE and thus 8GB per month, so routine cloud backup services not an option.

Likes: Very quiet, runs cool, easily expanded, easily managed, far faster than previous D-Link DNS-323, cheaper than four-drive alternatives, active support community (compared to NAS4FREE, which was the alternative)

Dislikes: Big honkin' case

Add Ons Used: unMENU, Simple Features, APCUPSD (with installed 650VA APS Back-UPS)

Future Plans: Add drives as needed

 

Performance: Parity check 85MB/s at the end of 2TB parity check. File transfer from Windows workstation: 60MB/s typical

 

Power consumption wasn't really the objective and thus is not measured.

 

Cheapie box is not ugly, but it's also not compact.

 

But drives can be removed and added to fixed cage without removing anything else. Installed drives with space between them (why not?), and fans oriented to blow through the cage from the front. Fan wires are ugly, though, and the power supply supplied wires were a little voluminous.

 

Rear shows NIC displaying gigabit connection. Only other light is the tiny LED on the USB flash stick. Drive cage has room for 8 drives. Top drive is Windows OS drive which will boot if USB OS stick pulled. It's wired to MoBo SATA port. Array drives are wired to M1015

 

NIC and IBM M1015 disk controller installed.

 

Boxes for those looking up part numbers.

 

Rick "under $300 without drives, and quite high performance" Denney