Ummagumma wrote:I am going to echo a number of comments made elsewhere in this thread.
- Consolidating all of your files into a single storage server/system is not smart. Having a NAS is no excuse to not have backups.
- Non-ECC memory can be used with ZFS; I have a number of those systems working flawlessly for 5+ years to prove it.
- ECC corrects single bit flips in memory and is supposed to help prevent file corruption ("bit rot"), but I can't prove or disprove that claim.
- Adding additional work to the NAS like transcoding (PLEX, etc.) certainly loads down the server and will require more CPU "grunt" and more RAM. So consider your needs.
Can you build your own NAS? Yes, but if you don't decide in advance of your building regarding what you want the system to do you will be disappointed and want to start all over again. So:
- Do you want a fancy GUI to manage the NAS? Either use premade software or "roll your own" if you are a decent programmer.
- Do you need an "expandable" storage array? Either use premade software or learn how to use all the intracate aspects of whatever RAID software you choose. Hardware is also a factor.
- Do you need transcoding? Prepare to buy a more powerfull CPU and more RAM.
- Do you need ECC or non-ECC RAM? Decide for yourself on that one.
- What filesystem do you want to use? Do you need the ability to directly read the storage drives in a Windows or Apple OS?
- What types of OS will access the NAS over the network? Linux? Windows? Apple? Other?
- You do have a network, right?
- And that network is "stable", right? IMHO any network using Wi-Fi does not qualify as "stable" because Wi-Fi is heavily susceptible to interference whereas "proper" wired networks are not.
- How do you plan to backup your NAS system?
- How do you plan to update your NAS system?
- Do you plan to make files accessible over the Internet through some method? And how will you control who accesses which files on the system?
- Is noise going to be a problem for you? Fans running constantly and dust filters to clean.
- Is heat generation going to be a problem for you? That is irregardless of whether you run the system 24x7 or just when you need it.
- Is power consumption going to be an issue? If your electric rates are high now, then running a 24x7 server simply "feeds the beast".
- What are your power protection plans? NAS with UPS is a good idea, but UPS runtime and automatic NAS shutdown have to be considered.
- Who will access your NAS system?
- Do you have to share your network and possibly your NAS with roommates? Fraternity buddies? Beer buddies? Other gerbils?
- Who will maintain your NAS system? Do they have the time to do the job right? Do they actually understand what they are doing?
- If something happens to the NAS, are you prepared to do without your files while the system gets fixed? What if the system can't be fixed?
I could go on and on based on my own experiences of running both premade (store bought) and homemade NAS systems at home for the past 10 years or more.
There is a lot to think about when considering your question.
This is an
excellent starting list of things to thing about!
blahsaysblah wrote:You will be much better off building a home NAS or HTPC with 2.5" drives that use/generate much less power/heat/noise. There is not much difference between 2.5 and 3.5 drives unless you go to 10k+/SAS drives or need the extra capacity.
The cost per bit difference between 2.5" and 3.5" drives is still pretty vast - and the power differences are minimal unless you're hammering it 24/7. My NAS with a quad core Xeon, 16 GB of RAM, dual RAID/SAS cards, an SSD, and 16 2 TB 3.5" drives idles at well under 100 watts, and I have my drives set to never spin down. I'd drop another 20 watts or so if I removed the RAID/SAS cards. I should re-measure it now that I've finalized the config but my last spot-check was around 50 watts.
It's so little I don't even consider turning it off. Ever.
The cost per bit stored difference is so vast it would take a long time to make up the difference. Heat is directly related to power usage, and if you can't stand an incandescent light bulb being on, then you shouldn't have any computers.
Victory requires no explanation. Defeat allows none.