Hi,

I just found out about unRaid recently and wonder if anyone has used it for backing up a windows home server?

 

Currently I have a DROBO (USB, 4 Drive Version) which I use as the backup drive for my WHS machine. Problem is Drobo only holds 4 drives and I have about maxed it out, with the cost of the Drobo units I started to look at alternatives and found unRaid which from what I have read, works exactly like the Drobo as far as just adding drives, replacing, mixing sizes and allowing drive(s) to fail w/o loosing data, seems unRaid is Unlimited or at least more expandable Drobo. I have a few older systems lying around I could use, or if my MB will not boot unraid, I could purchase a mb for one of the P4 2.8HT's or an Ahtlon 64 3400 I have.

 

But before I would make a commitment I would eant to know if unRaid can show up a 1 huge disc to windows? Is Unraid dependable? Also with the CPU's listed above are there any recommended MB that will boot to USB anyone can recommend or can unRaid be installed on a small HDD?

 

Thanks,

Tom

I would eant to know if unRaid can show up a 1 huge disc to windows?

 

User shares present a consolidated view of all disks into a named Windows Share.

Consider Each top level directory on a disc, becomes a consolidated share from the server.

So Movies on disc 1,3,4,5,7 appeare to be seen as \\tower\movies

Music on disk 2,3,8 appear to be seen as \\tower\movies.

 

See http://www.lime-technology.com/joomla/technology/usershares

 

Is Unraid dependable?

Very. Just like any other Linux based NAS out there. Probably more dependable due to it;s unique ability to protect data and survive with "some" data if you have multiple drive failures.

 

 

with the CPU's listed above are there any recommended MB that will boot to USB anyone can recommend

See hardware compatibility page from the Wiki.

http://lime-technology.com/wiki/index.php/Hardware_Compatibility

 

FWIW, I would not base a mother board purchase based on a spare P4 HT CPU.

I might sell of the CPU and purchase a newer configuration that was more energy efficient.

(Unless you already have a complete system ready to be used).

 

 

can unRaid be installed on a small HDD?

It's possible, but more time consuming and you still need a USB key if you want to use higher more feature rich versions of unRAID.

So each physical disc shows up as a folder? My Home Server's pool is over 3TB, I can get more than that to use as back-up out the various discs I have but home server needs to see the storage area larger than it's own or obviously it will not think there is enough available space, so I need to be able to combime multiple drives for it to be useable. I suppose I could directly store media on unRaid, but would want to know if it honors workgroup permissions, I do not want the kids deleting files by accident.

 

As far as hardware, with the cost of the drobo, I could sell my current drobo and have plenty for the unRaid software and the MB/CPU to run the system.

Yes, each drive can be seen seperately. But that is not the only way.

 

You can also create a user share. Create a share call "backup" and set the drives you want it to use. The "backup" share will appear as a directory on the "Tower" server and it will be the size of the drives you allow it to use. Stick in 5 x 2T drives and you could have a 10T "backup" directory.

 

Peter

 

So each physical disc shows up as a folder?

You can have access to each physical disk on the LAN if you desire.  They would be visible as

\\tower\disk1

through

\\tower\disk20

 

However, you can elect to not export them on the LAN, or to export them as read-only, or hidden (not show up in network neighborhood, but accessible if you know the path.)

 

You ALSO have available a "User-Shares" feature that logically combines like named top-level folders on all the physical disks into a single share on the LAN. (one share per top level folder)

 

I have a "Movies" folder on each of my physical disks.  A subset of my movie collection resides on each physical disk.  The share at

\\tower\Movies shows my entire collection, regardless of the physical disk involved.  My media player sees the whole list as a single share.

 

In the same way, I have a "Pictures" top level folder on several of my disks, and a MP3 folder on several... These too are combined logically and presented as a single "Share" on the LAN as \\tower\Pictures and \\tower\MP3.  For each top level folder on the disks I can configure the way it will be seen on the LAN.  I have a top level folder named "data" that is combined across several disks, but hidden so it does not show up in my media players.  I use it for backups of my other PCs.  You can create and name the top level folders as you desire.  If you have the PRO version of unRAID, you can specify specific user security for each share.

 

The user-share system will use the disk space as you configure it.  (There are several allocation methods available) You can create new files and it will put them where space is available.  The one limitation is that a single file cannot span two physical disks.  (If you have two physical disks, each with 3 Gig free, you cannot add a new 5Gig file.)

 

Joe L.

Thanks guys, looking better with every post. Last Question...

 

Does unraid work at all with UPS systems? I will be hooking up to a UPS and would like the system to shut itself down when battery power reaches x % if there is a power outage, not just go out when the power does.

 

Thanks again for all your help.

 

Tom

Some other resources (sorry, no quick answers here):

* UnRAID Topical Index, UPS support

* Getting Started with unRAID

I did exactly what you're considering for the exact same reasons. Once I setup my Drobo, it took about 2-3 months to run out of space. My only option was to throw away 3-month old hard drives in order to make room for bigger ones.

 

Comparing unRAID to Drobo:

• Drobo gets the nod on zero-configuration. You will have to get involved a little more often and a little more deeply than when using the Drobo (but, really, only a little). Not to worry, this is one of the most helpful user forums I've ever experienced so I'm certain you can find any answers you need right here.
  
• Drobo gets the nod on system noise. My Drobo box was darn near silent. You can build an unRAID system that's almost as silent, but doing so may very well eliminate any of the economic advantages. An unRAID server is a "real computer" and will make that much noise. In my case it's very loud because I'm concerned with drive temperatures AND economy (read: lots of powerful fans). That's okay for me because I have an air conditioned closet where it happily lives
  
• unRAID gets the nod on economy hands down. My system can hold 12 hard drives it cost me about 1.5 Drobos to piece it together with mostly new parts. Plus it's network ready from day one (no need to buy a Drobo Share).
  
• unRAID gets the nod on flexibility. With zero-configuration comes zero (or severely limited) options. If you're so inclined, your configuration options with unRAID are vast. You have control over the number and size of shares. You can mix and match hard drives and you can use ALL the space on ALL the drives (not just the smallest volume like on Drobo). Some have had success using multiple NICs to better manage traffic...the list goes on.
  

Like any comparison I could probably go on but, for me, the unRAID advantages far outweighed the Drobo advantages. If I had a "complaint" about unRAID it would be the speed at which it can write. A cache drive can improve that drastically so that comment is really only for full disclosure (I haven't actually complained about it on this forum if that gives you any idea how high on my list it is).

 

Can unRAID show one large volume? Yes - "User Shares" span as many physical disks as you allow and show all that space as one network "drive"/share and available space can grow over time as your needs change.

 

Motherboard suggestions? Look at my signature. I'm not sure if the Athlon 6400 is a socket 939 (like mine), but I haven't had issues with my mobo. Some have noted problems with the NForce4 chipset (I think mainly the SATA controller), but others, like me, have had successful unRAID builds using this board (i.e. the "Premium" version). This board has an additional SIL controller and lots of slots for adding on.

 

All in all, I'm very happy with my move from Drobo to unRAID.

 

Good luck.

I did exactly what you're considering for the exact same reasons. Once I setup my Drobo, it took about 2-3 months to run out of space. My only option was to throw away 3-month old hard drives in order to make room for bigger ones.

 

Comparing unRAID to Drobo:

• Drobo gets the nod on zero-configuration. You will have to get involved a little more often and a little more deeply than when using the Drobo (but, really, only a little). Not to worry, this is one of the most helpful user forums I've ever experienced so I'm certain you can find any answers you need right here.
  
• Drobo gets the nod on system noise. My Drobo box was darn near silent. You can build an unRAID system that's almost as silent, but doing so may very well eliminate any of the economic advantages. An unRAID server is a "real computer" and will make that much noise. In my case it's very loud because I'm concerned with drive temperatures AND economy (read: lots of powerful fans). That's okay for me because I have an air conditioned closet where it happily lives
  
• unRAID gets the nod on economy hands down. My system can hold 12 hard drives it cost me about 1.5 Drobos to piece it together with mostly new parts. Plus it's network ready from day one (no need to buy a Drobo Share).
  
• unRAID gets the nod on flexibility. With zero-configuration comes zero (or severely limited) options. If you're so inclined, your configuration options with unRAID are vast. You have control over the number and size of shares. You can mix and match hard drives and you can use ALL the space on ALL the drives (not just the smallest volume like on Drobo). Some have had success using multiple NICs to better manage traffic...the list goes on.
  

Like any comparison I could probably go on but, for me, the unRAID advantages far outweighed the Drobo advantages. If I had a "complaint" about unRAID it would be the speed at which it can write. A cache drive can improve that drastically so that comment is really only for full disclosure (I haven't actually complained about it on this forum if that gives you any idea how high on my list it is).

 

Can unRAID show one large volume? Yes - "User Shares" span as many physical disks as you allow and show all that space as one network "drive"/share and available space can grow over time as your needs change.

 

Motherboard suggestions? Look at my signature. I'm not sure if the Athlon 6400 is a socket 939 (like mine), but I haven't had issues with my mobo. Some have noted problems with the NForce4 chipset (I think mainly the SATA controller), but others, like me, have had successful unRAID builds using this board (i.e. the "Premium" version). This board has an additional SIL controller and lots of slots for adding on.

 

All in all, I'm very happy with my move from Drobo to unRAID.

 

Good luck.

 

Wow,

Thanks for all the info...

 

I picked up a 45 watt AMD Athlon X2 4050e Brisbane 2.1GHz for $39 at newegg, am looking at which mb goes best with it for the build. I already have an Antec 350 earthwatts p.s. and a server case in a homemade rack system to put it all in, just trying to decide on a mb. My Case can host 14 drives (9 internal and I have a 5 in 4 backplane), so I want a board with 6 onboard sata, boots from flash obviously and at least 2 PCI-e x1 slots and onboard video, gig lan, power on by lan would be excellent as well.

 

Still looking at boards. Starting off unraid will be 2x 1.5tb, 6x 750gb. I am looking at a tool called synctoys to use as backup software. Unless unraid vastly outperforms windows home server serving up media files, my unraid box will be booted, backup performed and shut down about once a week.

 

Tom

I did exactly what you're considering for the exact same reasons. Once I setup my Drobo, it took about 2-3 months to run out of space. My only option was to throw away 3-month old hard drives in order to make room for bigger ones.

 

Comparing unRAID to Drobo:

• Drobo gets the nod on zero-configuration. You will have to get involved a little more often and a little more deeply than when using the Drobo (but, really, only a little). Not to worry, this is one of the most helpful user forums I've ever experienced so I'm certain you can find any answers you need right here.
  
• Drobo gets the nod on system noise. My Drobo box was darn near silent. You can build an unRAID system that's almost as silent, but doing so may very well eliminate any of the economic advantages. An unRAID server is a "real computer" and will make that much noise. In my case it's very loud because I'm concerned with drive temperatures AND economy (read: lots of powerful fans). That's okay for me because I have an air conditioned closet where it happily lives
  
• unRAID gets the nod on economy hands down. My system can hold 12 hard drives it cost me about 1.5 Drobos to piece it together with mostly new parts. Plus it's network ready from day one (no need to buy a Drobo Share).
  
• unRAID gets the nod on flexibility. With zero-configuration comes zero (or severely limited) options. If you're so inclined, your configuration options with unRAID are vast. You have control over the number and size of shares. You can mix and match hard drives and you can use ALL the space on ALL the drives (not just the smallest volume like on Drobo). Some have had success using multiple NICs to better manage traffic...the list goes on.
  

Like any comparison I could probably go on but, for me, the unRAID advantages far outweighed the Drobo advantages. If I had a "complaint" about unRAID it would be the speed at which it can write. A cache drive can improve that drastically so that comment is really only for full disclosure (I haven't actually complained about it on this forum if that gives you any idea how high on my list it is).

 

Can unRAID show one large volume? Yes - "User Shares" span as many physical disks as you allow and show all that space as one network "drive"/share and available space can grow over time as your needs change.

 

Motherboard suggestions? Look at my signature. I'm not sure if the Athlon 6400 is a socket 939 (like mine), but I haven't had issues with my mobo. Some have noted problems with the NForce4 chipset (I think mainly the SATA controller), but others, like me, have had successful unRAID builds using this board (i.e. the "Premium" version). This board has an additional SIL controller and lots of slots for adding on.

 

All in all, I'm very happy with my move from Drobo to unRAID.

 

Good luck.

 

Wow,

Thanks for all the info...

 

I picked up a 45 watt AMD Athlon X2 4050e Brisbane 2.1GHz for $39 at newegg, am looking at which mb goes best with it for the build. I already have an Antec 350 earthwatts p.s. and a server case in a homemade rack system to put it all in, just trying to decide on a mb. My Case can host 14 drives (9 internal and I have a 5 in 4 backplane), so I want a board with 6 onboard sata, boots from flash obviously and at least 2 PCI-e x1 slots and onboard video, gig lan, power on by lan would be excellent as well.

 

Still looking at boards. Starting off unraid will be 2x 1.5tb, 6x 750gb. I am looking at a tool called synctoys to use as backup software. Unless unraid vastly outperforms windows home server serving up media files, my unraid box will be booted, backup performed and shut down about once a week.

 

Tom

 

How many drives are you planning on using? If you plan on maxing out your case with HD's that power supply isn't going to handle it. I'd look for a good single rail supply (Corsair & PC Power & Cooling are two to consider) with at least 550W.

 

 

How many drives are you planning on using? If you plan on maxing out your case with HD's that power supply isn't going to handle it. I'd look for a good single rail supply (Corsair & PC Power & Cooling are two to consider) with at least 550W.

 

Actually, looking at what I have here I have an Antec SmartPower 450 to start which I think will be adequate to start me off, especially with everything onboard shutdown except the video and lan, if that seems strained I have a Ultra V-Series 550 (I have had excellent experiences with these units and have 5 of them functioning in the home at this moment).

 

 

How many drives are you planning on using? If you plan on maxing out your case with HD's that power supply isn't going to handle it. I'd look for a good single rail supply (Corsair & PC Power & Cooling are two to consider) with at least 550W.

 

Actually, looking at what I have here I have an Antec SmartPower 450 to start which I think will be adequate to start me off, especially with everything onboard shutdown except the video and lan, if that seems strained I have a Ultra V-Series 550 (I have had excellent experiences with these units and have 5 of them functioning in the home at this moment).

 

The 1.5TB Seagate drives have a 2.8A startup rating. I don't know who the 6 750G drives are manufacturered by but at 2.0A each that means you have 17.6A at a minimum during startup exceeding the 15A on the 12V1 and the 17A on the 12V2 so make sure you spread them out over both rails.

Be careful w/ the 1.5 TB Seagates. lots of prob

ems even after firmware upgrades. 2TB still too expensive so I'm using only as many 1TBs as I need until the price comes down on 2TBs

 

 

How many drives are you planning on using? If you plan on maxing out your case with HD's that power supply isn't going to handle it. I'd look for a good single rail supply (Corsair & PC Power & Cooling are two to consider) with at least 550W.

 

Actually, looking at what I have here I have an Antec SmartPower 450 to start which I think will be adequate to start me off, especially with everything onboard shutdown except the video and lan, if that seems strained I have a Ultra V-Series 550 (I have had excellent experiences with these units and have 5 of them functioning in the home at this moment).

 

The 1.5TB Seagate drives have a 2.8A startup rating. I don't know who the 6 750G drives are manufacturered by but at 2.0A each that means you have 17.6A at a minimum during startup exceeding the 15A on the 12V1 and the 17A on the 12V2 so make sure you spread them out over both rails.

 

Well if I need to build a gaming rig minus video just to run unRaid, then it would not really be much if at all better than a drobo or a drobo pro so hopefully what I have will do.

Be careful w/ the 1.5 TB Seagates. lots of prob

ems even after firmware upgrades. 2TB still too expensive so I'm using only as many 1TBs as I need until the price comes down on 2TBs

 

I have been reading a bit on this, seems like Windows has no problems with them, but Drobo's and unRaid might have, my drobo took both just fine so hopefully unRaid will do the same. I am almost ready to commit to the change over but some of these posts make me wonder, if unRaid is to picky then it will not be worth it for me.

Be careful w/ the 1.5 TB Seagates. lots of prob

ems even after firmware upgrades. 2TB still too expensive so I'm using only as many 1TBs as I need until the price comes down on 2TBs

 

I have been reading a bit on this, seems like Windows has no problems with them, but Drobo's and unRaid might have, my drobo took both just fine so hopefully unRaid will do the same. I am almost ready to commit to the change over but some of these posts make me wonder, if unRaid is to picky then it will not be worth it for me.

 

The advantage to unRAID is you can add as many drives as you want (upto 19 data drives plus a parity drive). With that many drives you have to have a high quality power supply. As for the 1.5T Seagate, I just bought one to add to my array (plus I already have 2 of the 1T models also affected that have worked flawlessly for me) so I have complete confidence in Seagate fixing their issues. As for the Gaming rig comment, I use an AMD Socket 939 motherboard with great results, hardly bleeding edge technology. I paid $69.99 for my 650W Corsair power supply (after rebate) that will power 21 drives (unRAID maxed out). If $69.99 is too much to spend for reliability then I don't know what I can say to help you.

RE: the 1.5 TB Seagates - BryantD confirms what I have been hearing: The results of the firmware upgrade are mixed.

 

I have a friend here that bought 3 of them for a great deal (I think the issues or scare of issues has driven the price down a bit). After taking delivery, he confirmed with Seagate that they all three should be updated. He sent them into Seagate, waited 2 weeks for them to upgrade firmware and return them. 3 days after installing them in an array on a Windows-based system, the first one died. Well not "died" really. It "paused" long enough for the raid controller to consider it a problem and it took it off line. He cleared everything up, started over, rebuilt the array, 5 days went by before a different one of the 3 did the same thing. The most common problem is like I described: in an array they pause long enough for the raid controller (or software) to mark them as bad. I've never heard of anyone having an issue just using them in a Windows box as a regular hard drive.

Other people have no issues and I hope you'll be among those ranks. Right now, they're about the same price per MB as the 1TB so that was my decision.

 

RE: start-up power draw. It might not be the end-all solution, but if you can get some or all of your drives to power up in stand-by you can avoid having the startup spikes hit all at once. I've got WD drives and they have a jumper for this. There's a script floating around that does the same thing for drives that don't support that jumper setting. Search this forum for "PUIS" and you'll find it. Doing something like this might let you delay a power supply upgrade for a while. (yet another thing I like about unRAID - all your investment doesn't have to be up front).

Here are a couple of possibilities for motherboards.

 

A board with the 740G chipset. The Gigabyte GA-MA74GM-S2 is an example of this. It has 6 SATA onboard and 1 - PCIe x16 and 1 - PCIe x1

 

Another cheap contender is the Gigabyte GA-MA780G-UD3H. 6 onboard SATA and 1 - PCIe x16 and 1 - PCIe x8 and 3 - PCIe x1

 

The  Adaptec 1430SA fits in a PCIe x4 or better slot, costs about $100 and gives 4 SATA2 connectors. There are a few cheap PCIe x1 cards that give 2 SATA2 connectors. Pick a motherboard and the PCIe slots you need to expand to the number of drives you want to support. The first board can go 12 drives and the second could go to 20.

 

I don't think there are any cost competitive PCIe options for 8 SATA2 connectors out there.

 

Peter

 

I created a Drobo topic in the UnRAID Topical Index.

 

(I also recently created an Editors topic there too.)

 

Feel free to edit and expand.

Good call on the motherboards, lionelhutz. Good advice to focus on your SATA expandability. Don't waste a PCIe slot (or the money) on a video card. I got a PCI ATI Rage card for $11.00 delivered. It's more than you need on unRAID so if your mobo doesn't have video but has a legacy PCI slot then you're still in good shape.

 

Good luck on your build. Let us know how it goes.