Hello everybody,

 

Last weeks I've been reading a lot and learning about different possibilities, both with hardware and software. Also I have studied both unRAID and FlexRAID, and while FlexRAID looks easier at the beginning, having it running on top of Windows scares me, because the added complexity to mantain (updates, viruses, drivers, etc.). So I think unRAID can be much more appropriate to what I'm looking for: something like a NAS, but home made, with the nice features from unRAID.

 

I'm looking for something cheap and simple and easy to maintain. First, I'll explain my environment:

 

- 3 Macs: 2 Macbooks and 1 Mac Mini Server, serving only Time Machine backups and sharing files, and connected to a home cinema and projector with Plex Media server

- 1 Windows PC that I use for 3D design and to play sometimes, but it's not a priority.

 

And here's what I want to get from the unRAID server:

 

- Media Storage: mainly MKVs, but also iTunes media library

- Time Machine reliable backups, although I could maybe keep using the Mini for that.

- Transmission for torrent download 24/7

 

What I need:

- Cheap and simple mainboard and processor. I think for my environment it's and obscenity and not necessary to have an i7. Is a Celeron G1820 capable of transcoding to one or two ipads (as much) at the same time?

- Between 4 and 6 harddisks

- Something reliable and stable, that I don't need to keep checking or worrying about.

- I have a UPS with USB connection (APC) which I want to use on the server, so it can automatically shutdown properly and turn on again when power comes back (I live in the North of Norway, and it happens 4 or 5 times per year during the winter )

 

Software:

- Time Machine backups (unless there's a way to let the Mac Mini keep doing it, but saving the backups on the UR server).

- Plex server (again, unless I can keep using the Mac Mini as server, watching the remote folders from the UR server. That way, transcoding capabilities are not needed).

- Transmission (with the same question about remote access).

- iTunes library (maybe also using the Mini as player (I also use Airplay to send music to different speakers).

 

Do you think a cache drive is necessary for this kind of use? How reliable is Plex plugin inside unRAID compared to the official one?

The rule of thumb I've seen quoted on these boards is that you need a CPU with a Passmark score of least 1000 per transcode stream.  Accordingly the G1820 looks to be capable of handling two streams just fine.

 

As for simple and reliable, the fewer bells and whistles you add the more reliable your system is likely to be.  Unraid itself runs on pretty minimal hardware.  My sig machine has been the epitome of set and forget.  Coupled with a UPS, it's been essentially bullet-proof to the unreliable power where I live.  Get a quality PSU and ensure good cooling and you'll likely have a machine that runs for many years.

 

Do check other CPU prices when you consider purchasing.  Right now the G1840 is listed for $1 less at Newegg.

 

I'm sure the ability to run backups on the Unraid system is possible, if I were in your shoes I would keep them hosted on the local system and just store the backup image on the Unraid share.  Otherwise you'll be needing to configure an Unraid plugin to do it, and while I'm sure it's possible it seems potentially very complex and unnecessary.

Hi Chugiak! Thanks for your answer.

 

It's just what I think. I love the KISS philosophy (Keep It Simple, Stupid) , so I will go the simplest way: My actual Mac Mini server works fine with Plex and Time Machine (with official support from Apple to the way I'm using it). I don't want to play with the backups, so I'll use the new unRAID server with just Bittorrent and file sharing, to use it as a "cheaper but better than a NAS device" for not critical information (Video and Music, both can be redownloaded from the Internet), keeping Plex on the Mac, and looking for movies and series on the remote unRAID server, and maybe to sync also with Bittorrent Sync or Owncloud, but never to store only one copy of critical information on it. Let's see

 

While writing this post, I've just ordered all components for my server:

 

- Corsair CX 430W PSU

- Cooler Master Silencio 452 Midi Tower

- 2x Kingston Datatraveler SE9, 8GB for two unRAID licenses (1 for backup)

- 2x WD Desktop Green 3TB

- Celeron G1820 (the price difference here in Norway to the next was noticiable, and this was included in a cheaper upgrade pack)

- MSI B85M-E45 (also included in the upgrade pack. Has 2x2.0 SATA + 4x3.0 SATA

- Crucial DDR3 1600MHz 4GB

 

And I already own the UPS, 1x3TB HDD, 1x1.5TB HDD and another 1TB HDD, so I'll theoretically will have around 8.5TB, and if I have any problem with power not being enough, I can remove the 1TB one from the equation

 

Fingers crossed

I hope you have good success with the Corsair CX 430.  The CX line is viewed by many on these forums as being too low cost to be trusted in an unRAID server.  If your electricity is particuarly expensive, you may actually save money in the long run by moving up the quality ladder and buying a 80 Plus Gold PSU that runs more efficiently.

Hi again Chugiak!

 

Thanks for your answer. I appreciate it. I'll give it a try. If it's not enough, I'll get another one and use this one on other computer I own. While I don't have yet experience with unRAID, I have a long experience with computers (I work fixing computers since 10 years ago) and i know quality is not always related with price, but with the amount of units they sell, so the price doesn't scares me . Also, the ups will take care of it avoiding power spikes.

 

I also learnt from experience that dust is a big enemy: dust in heatsinks increases temperatures and also damages components, so I'll try to keep it clean. And also, sometimes, too many fans make it even worse, because they fill up heatsinks with dust faster, so I'll try to keep them as low as possible.

 

Thank you again and merry Christmas!

Hi again! I received today my parts, assembled everything and made a try with the free license for now with 3 disks, formatted as XFS. I've tried the v6 beta 12 just to see how it looks, and everything seems to work fine.

 

I think I'll move time Machine backups there too as I like how it's implemented.

Do you people think I could use it, or should I stay with the stable v5 release?

 

Right now I just want to share files with SMB and AFP (for Time Machine). Is it complex to upgrade from v5 to v6?

 

I'm considering v6 because I read something about better compatibility with AFP

Hi again! I received today my parts, assembled everything and made a try with the free license for now with 3 disks, formatted as XFS. I've tried the v6 beta 12 just to see how it looks, and everything seems to work fine.

 

I think I'll move time Machine backups there too as I like how it's implemented.

Do you people think I could use it, or should I stay with the stable v5 release?

 

Right now I just want to share files with SMB and AFP (for Time Machine). Is it complex to upgrade from v5 to v6?

 

I'm considering v6 because I read something about better compatibility with AFP

 

A couple of points. 6b12 seems stable, but it's still beta software.  While I am OK with taking that risk you might wish to wait for the RC1 or the final release which is prob a few months away.

 

I am a big fan of v6. First it's 64 bit which is long over due. Second it includes some really smart redsigns and default features which make unRAID feel fully featured... or at least closer to it. Lot's of improvements in almost every way.

 

But v6b9 (I think it was 7/8) it did have an issue an in earlier beta where an Kernal update included an error in the reiserfs file system resulting in silent data loss (corruption) for some people.  LimeTech was on top of this and got it fixed quickly but that's the risk of beta software.

 

Also because v6b12 introduced a major change in the webgui and plugin design everthing hasn't quite caught up yet... some plugins involve short term work arounds (until the updated version which adapts for v6b12 changes is released)

 

Overall I am on board...

Hi again! I received today my parts, assembled everything and made a try with the free license for now with 3 disks, formatted as XFS. I've tried the v6 beta 12 just to see how it looks, and everything seems to work fine.

 

I think I'll move time Machine backups there too as I like how it's implemented.

Do you people think I could use it, or should I stay with the stable v5 release?

 

Right now I just want to share files with SMB and AFP (for Time Machine). Is it complex to upgrade from v5 to v6?

 

I'm considering v6 because I read something about better compatibility with AFP

 

A couple of points. 6b12 seems stable, but it's still beta software.  While I am OK with taking that risk you might wish to wait for the RC1 or the final release which is prob a few months away.

 

I am a big fan of v6. First it's 64 bit which is long over due. Second it includes some really smart redsigns and default features which make unRAID feel fully featured... or at least closer to it. Lot's of improvements in almost every way.

 

But v6b9 (I think it was 7/8) it did have an issue an in earlier beta where an Kernal update included an error in the reiserfs file system resulting in silent data loss (corruption) for some people.  LimeTech was on top of this and got it fixed quickly but that's the risk of beta software.

 

Also because v6b12 introduced a major change in the webgui and plugin design everthing hasn't quite caught up yet... some plugins involve short term work arounds (until the updated version which adapts for v6b12 changes is released)

 

Overall I am on board...

 

Thanks for your answer! It's what I was looking for! I also tried both v5 and v6 b12 and it looks quite good! So I'll go that way too, being really careful before upgrading to the next.

 

I'm surprised about how easy has it been to setup, and to install and configure the ups management tool too! I was tempted to go the FlexRAID way with Ubuntu, thinking it could be easier, because the dockers thing scares me if it has to be done with the terminal, but when I began to research about how to configure the ups under Ubuntu, I gave up that idea.

 

So I paid the license and I have it already working! Clean, easy and fast!

I leave the format as XFS for all the discs, including the time machine backup harddisk. Is it safe? As far as I now, one of the advantages of XFS is that it's silent corruption proof, isn't it?

 

I'm transferring files right now, and it's using almost all the ram. Is that normal?

 

Thanks for your answer! It's what I was looking for! I also tried both v5 and v6 b12 and it looks quite good! So I'll go that way too, being really careful before upgrading to the next.

 

I'm surprised about how easy has it been to setup, and to install and configure the ups management tool too! I was tempted to go the FlexRAID way with Ubuntu, thinking it could be easier, because the dockers thing scares me if it has to be done with the terminal, but when I began to research about how to configure the ups under Ubuntu, I gave up that idea.

 

So I paid the license and I have it already working! Clean, easy and fast!

I leave the format as XFS for all the discs, including the time machine backup harddisk. Is it safe? As far as I now, one of the advantages of XFS is that it's silent corruption proof, isn't it?

 

I'm transferring files right now, and it's using almost all the ram. Is that normal?

 

I can't really speak to is XFS is better then reiserfs, when I built my unRAID box XFS was not an option yet. XFS is the newer file system from my understanding. It also has some nice new features which I think protect you better. Is it silent corruption proof... well I don't know enough to answer that question. I'd love to know as well, because if it's that much better then I'll start the long process of moving all my data from reiserfs to XFS. I wouldn't worry about XFS being unsafe though, nothing has lead me to believe it's a risky option.

 

I also like how simple it was to set up unRAID and am happy with my purchase. I added an UPS earlier this year with little problem as well good stuff.

 

As to RAM, if you are looking in the webgui that's just a reporting issue / normal linux behavior. It's not really using all the ram as much as Linux is making use of free ram to cache and buffer as long as nothing else is requesting ram. Linux calles this used, even though it's 100% free for programs to request.

I can't really speak to is XFS is better then reiserfs, when I built my unRAID box XFS was not an option yet. XFS is the newer file system from my understanding. It also has some nice new features which I think protect you better. Is it silent corruption proof... well I don't know enough to answer that question. I'd love to know as well, because if it's that much better then I'll start the long process of moving all my data from reiserfs to XFS. I wouldn't worry about XFS being unsafe though, nothing has lead me to believe it's a risky option.

 

I also like how simple it was to set up unRAID and am happy with my purchase. I added an UPS earlier this year with little problem as well good stuff.

 

As to RAM, if you are looking in the webgui that's just a reporting issue / normal linux behavior. It's not really using all the ram as much as Linux is making use of free ram to cache and buffer as long as nothing else is requesting ram. Linux calles this used, even though it's 100% free for programs to request.

 

Hi again! And Happy New Year! . I researched some years ago about XFS, and is more and more popular, because of some nice features it has (performance, lack of silent corruption, etc.). The problem at that time was the lack of support inside the Linux kernel. But as reliability, I researched today again about it and even the NASA is using it in a macro cluster server, so I guess it's reliable .

 

May I ask another question? If I want to install Plex and Transmission in my system, should I use a plugin or a docker container? 4GB of RAM would be enough?

 

Hi again! And Happy New Year! . I researched some years ago about XFS, and is more and more popular, because of some nice features it has (performance, lack of silent corruption, etc.). The problem at that time was the lack of support inside the Linux kernel. But as reliability, I researched today again about it and even the NASA is using it in a macro cluster server, so I guess it's reliable .

 

May I ask another question? If I want to install Plex and Transmission in my system, should I use a plugin or a docker container? 4GB of RAM would be enough?

 

The best thing about unRAID is that the community is generally very friendly. Never hesitate to ask questions or post new threads in the support sections of the forum.

 

I'm not 100% sure on the answer to Plugin or docker either. Docker is the way of the future... but it's also new enough to me that I'm not 100% sure about it.  PhAzE has released some good plugins for Unraid v6 but the worst thing is that b12 kind of broke the plugin structure and PhAzE is waiting for a v6 release canidate before he updates everything. That said he created a temporary work around involving adding some code to your go file, and documented this in his plugin thread. 

 

I've been debating moving to docker, but I've not done it yet because I'm not sure about performance hits, proper configuration, and the like.

 

Also sort of like XFS I think if I had a choice to make today starting fresh I would choose XFS and docker over my current setup.

Hi again Gundamguy! Thanks again for your kind comments and tips! I really feel I made a good choice with unRAID.

 

Now, with all disks inside, and parity enabled and everything, I'm getting writing performances of 40-50MB/s (attached is a screenshot of it), so it looks fantastic!! No need to me to have a cache drive! I don't know if I found a good hardware combo or what, but I've been reading of much slower performances in the forum. Everithing seems even faster than before, when I was using the Mac Mini with USB disks.

 

I love how well organized is everything now from the front end user side, finally I have room for all the movies in only one folder, and both Plex and Transmission are happy working from the Mac Mini and accessing the remote server to store and manage files, so I'll keep that setup as it's the easiest for me to setup and also balances well the use of both machines.

 

And Time Machines backups work also flawlessly! So I can't be happier!