Hi,

I've decided to build an UnRAID server.

 

Beside storage it would be great if it could host content used while editing since it would make it very easy when using two different computers. 

 

So, I'm aware the UnRAID technology is not fast enough and made for that task, but what about a SSD cache drive in the UnRAID server? Would that be able to handle the task?

 

The editing software would be local on the computers. Only the content would be on the server. 

 

Would it be possible? Or would it be poor performance?

 

It would of course run on a Gigabit network. The server will most likely be with an i3 processor, but if it's only about the storage, I don't think that matters to much?

 

Thank you.

 

Jesper

With a decent SSD device as cache gigabit would be the bottleneck.

Is Gigabit really to slow? 

An SSD could potentially write at 500Mb/sec whereas a maxed out Gigabit connection would be just over 100Mb/sec.

Oh, yes now I see.

 

And just checked out that 10gb is rather expensive.

 

Is it possible to connect to the server via usb 3 in order to work with the files on the cache drive?

That should be fast enough.

 

When not working from server, the gigabit network is fine for storage.

If the computers are close you can buy an used 10GbE direct attach kit for under 100$

Something like this?

 

For Cisco SFP-H10GB-CU3M, 10Gb/s SFP+ Copper Twinax Direct-attach Cable, Passive, 3-Meter https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01B7N93UG/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_KquPzbV4K6ZNA

 

So:

 

Video edit. Files on server:

MacBook -> server = 10gb direct access cable

Desktop -> server = 10gb direct assess cable

 

Plus normal network connection when the speed isn't so important.

 

That's possible?

 

But as far as I can see on Google, usb 3 to 10gb isn't possible. I'd need a rather large and expensive thunderbolt device.

 

So, is usb 3 directly an option or not possible?

 

Thank you.

 

 

 

10 minutes ago, Jesper said:

Something like this?

 

Like this:

 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SET-2x-low-profile-HP-671798-10GbE-3m-Bundle-10Gbit-Ethernet-10Gigabit-10G-LP-/152605047151?hash=item2387f8396f:g:vL8AAOSwiYFXJ36a

 

10 minutes ago, Jesper said:

Video edit. Files on server:

MacBook -> server = 10gb direct access cable

Desktop -> server = 10gb direct assess cable

 

Yes, you'd just need a dual port 10GbE NIC for the server

 

11 minutes ago, Jesper said:

So, is usb 3 directly an option or not possible?

 

Not AFAIK.

Then I'd have a problem getting 10gb from my MacBook. I can see the trouble.

 

So combining working with same material on two computers and having safety in case of hard drive failure, I guess that a raid 1 in a 2.5 hdd enclosure is the easiest and cheapest solution.

 

Like http://www.storkz.com/hornettek-bc81503.html?currency=DKK&country=DK&gclid=Cj0KCQjwoZTNBRCWARIsAOMZHmH94DOxIJxKaRLfgW2ipH02AF0_J7I078tzSTmpI6QwaF7vvodSIWUaAkTkEALw_wcB

 

Thank you.

Edited August 29, 20178 yr by Jesper

2 minutes ago, Jesper said:

Then I'd have a problem getting 10gb from my MacBook

 

Yes, sorry, forgot about the mac.

Here is your fix:

 

OS X vm on the server.

 

 

done.

49 minutes ago, 1812 said:

Here is your fix:

 

OS X vm on the server.

 

 

done.

 

Just what I was going to suggest. VMs have the luxury of a virtual 10GB network.

Thank you for your help.

5 hours ago, NeoDude said:

 

Just what I was going to suggest. VMs have the luxury of a virtual 10GB network.

Not OS X VMs. Virtio is not compatible and the vmxnet3 driver has at best given me 300MB/s. 

 

But you can setup a raid cluster on the cache and host the VM there and run fast. Or do what I do and run hardware raid and pass logical drives to unRaid. Sustained 7-11100MB/s on heavy read/write with redundancy.

Sounds good. And complicated for me at my current state of entering the server World. But perhaps with a little experience. Thank you.