unRAID media server log.

[Jon]

Well, I pulled the trigger on the 'starter' parts for my new media server about 10 minutes ago. I had initially thought of going with an expandable RAID5 array using a 4-port Highpoint controller that was port multiplier-capable (20 drive potential), but decided that I would probably never get to 1/4 of that before technology passed that configuration way up (I'm going strictly with 1TB drives). A 20TB RAID5 array is just beyond usage for me. I've converted every DVD I have (about 1500) over the past 2+ years and am barely at 1TB of disk usage right now (many are 400-700MB XViD format that was more popular a couple years ago, hence the small footprint). I still have just under a 1TB of space remaining, but it's shrinking much faster with HD/BD and higher bitrate h.264 encodings I'm using now.

Anyway, I decided I still wanted the availability of at least 10TB over time, if I needed it, and unRAID (http://www.lime-technology.com) has always interested me. After testing it through VMWare for a bit, I decided it's perfect for a dedicated home media server. I also like the idea that I can lose more than one disk and not find myself at a total loss.

Anyway, I'm initially going with 4 1TB drives since that will allow me to set up my shares exactly how I want them. This is a breakdown of what I grabbed today (most links for Newegg since they have good descriptions, but I didn't buy anything from there...I bought the core from Ewiz). I tried to stick to a startup budget of $1K:

2x1TB Seagate 32MB cache SATA-300 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148274) at Fry's for $235e (weekend sale)

External 4-bay hotswap eSATA enclosure (http://www.pc-pitstop.com/sata_enclosures/scsat4e.asp) for $219

Internal 4-port SATA to 4-port eSATA PCI bracket (http://www.pc-pitstop.com/sata_cables_adapters/PCI4XSS.asp) for $26.50

Intel BOXDG965RYCK motherboard (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813121048&Tpk=intel%2bboxdg965ryck) for $92

Intel Celeron Dual-Core E1200 Retail (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116064&Tpk=E1200%2bCELERON) for $49.50

STT DDR2-800 2GB (2x1GB) CL5 S-RIGID Memory Kit (http://www.ewiz.com/detail.php?p=T8UX2GC5&c=fr&pid=c77ad1f5db1141a77f04841aece8bacf18ed585af1e970 5d8e1dbe0cc138abf3) FOR $40.50

Antec Earthwatts EA-430 430W PSU (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371006&Tpk=EA430) for $56

4x6ft eSATA to eSATA cables (http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=102&cp_id=10226&cs_id=1022603&p_id=3940&seq=1&format=2) $3.92e

After tax and everything, I overshot by $40, but only because I went with PC-Pitstop for the external drive cage and eSATA bracket. I was going to go with Cooldrives.com until I saw their reseller ratings.

I'll also have to wait a bit to get to the 4th TB drive. I'll grab another in the next week or so, but after that I'm busted until April, more than likely (painting the entire insides of the house plus a new bedroom suite :\ ). I'll still have enough space out of the 3 drives to migrate though. I also already have a couple of ATX cases laying around, so that's a saved expense. They're ugly and old, but all this stuff is in the basement and I rarely go down there. No one else does.

unRAID will set me back $149 for two copies (only installs to flash drive, so having a spare is pretty much necessary), but the free version works for up to 3 drives. So, I'll be able to hold off on that for a bit.

Hopefully everything will make it in during the coming week so I can start slapping it together next weekend. I'll try and make as many pics as possible available. Stay tuned :)

[Albaholic]

Nice, can't wait to see how this turns out. I'll be looking to do something similar

[{PMS}fishy]

You unraid link seems to be down.

Have you seen this --> http://www.drobo.com/

[Jon]

Not down, LT is just slow sometimes. Loaded for me.

Drobo looks to be about the same technology as unRAID from what I've read - it's just self-contained (even though it still requires a head unit). The only thing I don't like about what I see in it is the USB interface and the additional cost for the Droboshare. Another downside, for me anyway, is the additional $500 per unit after 4 drives. There's also no mention of pooling units, which I wouldn't want to do anyway (4 of these on a USB bus? Nah. :) ).

For typical media servers, I'd say it might be a big hit soon.

My parts aren't going to start arriving until next week. Ewiz ground shipping is super slow. PC-Pitstop didn't notify me that the 4-port eSATA bracket was out of stock but it's expected to ship today. They waived my shipping cost for the inconvenience (about $18). I highly recommend them (good resellerratings too).

All in all, I probably won't get to start putting this together until next weekend :\

I think I am going to MicroCenter this weekend to pick up on of those super cheap Linkworld cases for $16 though.

[{PMS}fishy]

NAnother downside, for me anyway, is the additional $500 per unit after 4 drives.

From your first post I was under the impression that 4 drives was all you needed. Never mind the drobo then.

Please post results when its done.

I'm in the process of doing something similar, but more than just NAS.

[Jon]

I'll be starting with 4 drives (1 unit), but adding additional units along the way. There will be the potential for 4x4TB external bays.

I'm only starting with 3 of the 4 drives until I use unRAID in a live environment long enough to make sure it's going to be reliable enough for my needs (and worth the $149 for two licenses). The Basic free version only supports 3 drives, but I'm picking up the rest this weekend at Fry's since they extended their sale on the Seagate 1TB 32MB models for $234.99 again.

Unfortunately, we start painting the entire inside of our house next Friday too, which will take a full week to complete. I'll be able to get it built in the basement, but it won't get thoroughly tested for another 2 weeks once we get all the plastic out and everything put back together.

[LandShark]

subscribed! :cool:

[Jon]

Well, everything except my external drive cage and eSATA bracket is sitting on my front doorstep. The cage and bracket will be delivered on Wednesday, but everything will be put together tonight or tomorrow.

I also ordered a PCIe Gigabit adapter for my current server. I don't think sharing the PCI bus between the RAID adapter and current generic Realtek GigE NIC is going to be a fun experience when transferring everything to the new unRAID server, so it should help. It's a good Intel Pro 1000 adapter bought from EWIZ for $44 (including S&H).

I went to MicroCenter this weekend to get a cheap black case for this thing since they had 3 under $30. They were sold out of everything under $75 (big sale going on). I only went for one of the cheapos, so I came away empty handed. Fry's had a Cooler Master for $35 that was built more solid, but it was ugly as sin and I'm not that picky.

[{PMS}fishy]

I know this is probally too late, but have you considered using 5.25" drive enclosures in a large case? Keeping everything internal to one machine?

Like so.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16816215001

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ShowImage.aspx?ISList=11-112-164-S01%2c11-112-164-S02%2c11-112-164-S03%2c11-112-164-S04%2c11-112-164-S05%2c11-112-164-S06%2c11-112-164-S07%2c11-112-164-S08%2c11-112-164-S09%2c11-112-164-S10%2c11-112-164-S11%2c11-112-164-S12&S7ImageFlag=1&Depa=0&WaterMark=1&Description=LIAN+LI+PC-A17B+Black+Computer+Case+-+Retail

[Jon]

Wasn't really considered. I needed expansion potential to 16 drives without going broke up front for a case with backplanes to accommodate that. Nothing available interested me (that I wanted to pay for). Plus, I didn't want to have to worry about power requirements while adding drives. Finally, after dealing with the wiring mess that my current server suffers from, there was no way I was going to triple it on this one.

It can be done and I've followed many build logs that have - neatly at that. However, I don't have the money, time, and/or patience that these people had to accomplish it.

Having multiple external cases will probably cost me more in the long run, but it offers more management and flexibility that pays for itself...to me anyway :)

[Kasm]

Hey Jon, cool idea. I was thinking of doing something like this too but I looked at the hardware supported by the unraid software and it looked extremely limited. None of your stuff is on the list, are you sure it will work? If so, I think I might have to commit myself to this project too.

[Jon]

The actual motherboard model is not on the list, but the chipsets are supported. The motherboard uses a standard ICH8 chipset and the NIC is based upon the Intel Pro 1000. These are actually recommended. Everything else needs only generic driver support, which is provided.

Dual core processing is not currently supported, but it still uses one core. Same with the max memory of 1GB. Dual core support is being added very soon as well as memory limits over 1GB. I'm just future-proofing.

The compatibility list they have on the main site is way outdated - you have to check their forum for current hardware that works.

[Jon]

Build is completed and I'm transferring everything to it now.

Complete log will be on my newly created blog (http://www.thehtpc.net).

Write-up is in stages and it's not finished. Feel free to register and stay tuned though :)