Well for me its about data security. I have had corrupted files before but your milage may vary.

On the power consumption you are right in that its only 55w is max.
http://www.extrahardware.com/clanky/intel-...ion/strana/0/11

If you are thinking of future expansion ITX is probably too limiting with only 1 slot. My HP N40L only have 1 16x and 1 1x PCIe slots I also find susah to upgrade.

LSI has several options to add 4-16x HDDs, but the external HDD enclosures will cost you.

Are you refering to using a DAS for external connection?

No. SAS Expander. Look for external SAS ports.

And since you have brought up DAS, it is a cheaper but slower option...

What are you running on your N40L?

Another cheaper option

http://www.icydock.com/icy_tip/ICY_DOCK_To...ver_icytip.html

I am having an extra desktop, Lenovo Thinkcentre Edge 72, SFF built and powered by G2020 CPU which is I find suitable to run as a NAS function. The specs are as below

Processor
Intel Pentium G2020 Processor( 2.90GHz 1333MHz )
- Operating system
Windows 7 Professional (64-bit)
- System Graphics
Intel Integrated HD Graphics
- Total memory
Hynix 2.0GB PC3-12800 DDR3 SDRAM 1600 MHz
- Hard drive device
WD Blue 500GB 7200 rpm
- Optical device
DVD Recordable/CD-RW

Most probably I am willing to wipe the Windows and replacing it with Linux, other than that which part is good for me to upgrade/replace. Any opinions appreciated. Thanks

wow! this is nice!!! Anyone know what are the pricing like?

And if I can replace the SSD with normal 2.5" sata drive instead? It does work with normal 2.5" sata hdd.

Hmm..does hp proliant have enough sata connection for it...

This post has been edited by abubin: Nov 5 2013, 10:57 PM

The icydock is meant to work with any 2.5" SATA drives. Problem with it though u need to have equal number of SATA connections to connect all the drives.

Which HP proliant server are you referring to anyway? The microserver model?( in which case has 1 SAS port + 1 SATA + 1eSATA. Otherwise get a PCIe to SATA expansion card.

Upgrade the RAM. Did you check how many SATA connections it has and how many free drive bays is available?

2GB ram is more than enough for a linux system. Remember it's not a desktop. It is a server so no need to install the linux desktop environment if you don't need it. I used to run my ubuntu with 1GB ram and it is totally sufficient for almost everything I throw at it. I also install XFCE which is a very light desktop envinronment with minimal stuffs.

With 1GB ram, I was running deluge torrent, serviio DLNA server, apache (for serviio gui), samba file sharing, software RAID, a few java apps, vnc server (with XFCE). Until I went and throw in a camera monitoring system. This prove to be slightly overwhelming for my linux box. however, it still can run fine all the apps with some load only. That is even due to partially processor not power enough.

All depends on what you plan to do with the NAS and how much space you will need in the next X number of years that the NAS is online - whether just for pure storage or if you plan to add apps for torrenting, downloading, web page serving, media serving etc. Just note that if you torrent 24/7 on a desktop, your electric bill is gonna rise. My advise - keep torrenting on a separate low-powered Linux-embedded NAS like Dlink or Synology etc and keep the NAS powered on when you need it.

The 500GB HDD seems minuscule, if you plan to host media files on the box. FYI MP3/FLAC albums runs 150-250MB each and 1080P movies runs around 5-9GBs each. Also if planning for RAID 1 redundancy (easiest to setup and fastest to replicate) you will need a free SATA port and a HDD bay on the box. I'm not familiar with Lenovo Thinkcentre Edge 72 (SFF model). How many 3.5"/2.5" drive bays, SATA ports and PCIe slots does it have? Seems like a small box. Depending on the current mobo spec and what you want, there are ways to expand the storage space.

On the software side, you will do better without NTFS for your NAS. Linux file systems are more efficient. 2GB RAM is a great place to start with any Linux distro. But if you are looking into ZFS or Win Storage Svr 2012, you will need more RAM.

The Newegg link on the icydock webpage shows US$97 for the 6 SSD/SATA model. You will still need SAS/SATA Expander cards for this to work.

I am thinking to run it as a pure storage that keep my medias and torrenting that may run overnight for any big files on slow connection. 500GB is intended on OS and looking forward to add another larger capacity HDD, lets say 1TB min or higher capacity WD Red if budget permits me. I am noob about RAID thingy to be frank, but willing to read more later on. Yes, I am fully aware of ready build NAS device, but this Thinkcentre Edge 72 is an extra unit desktop for myself, new out of the box and I really don't know what to make fully use of it It has 3 sata ports on board, 1 occupied by optical drive and 1 by current HDD and left 1 unused. Another HDD expansion bay is there. The good about this model is the Intel Pentium Dual Core G2020 2.9GHz CPU that run at minimal powered, very less heat and almost no sound from the fan at all.

I am opt for my box running openSUSE as I am familiar with it, DE however would be XFCE as well.

Only 2x 3.5" HDD bays? Then you only have RAID 1 (mirror) option available which I think will be fine. You don't want to be running a NAS without any form of redundancies or parity as you will be running the NAS at a great risk of loosing your data in the event of HDD failure.

Actually your SFF would be a good candidate for Ubuntu XBMC media PC. You will still be able to play your media on the TV. Spend your money to build a proper 4-8 bays NAS which will likely last longer as you don't need to move your data around too much when you run out of space.

Hello all,

Hope you guys could help out with my dilemma.
My Laptop is running of out of space again though I got myself a 1TB External Storage last year for backup for non-quickie access such as Media and Photos.

I already got a HDD Caddy to replace my Optical Drive and I intend to purchase WD 2.5" Blue 1TB together with Caddy. It is an inexpensive way to solve Storage issue for the mean time. However, another part of me hesitated and hope to get a full-capable NAS such as Synology for solving Storage for the next 5 years, at least. NAS is expensive, but its capability with Pool Storage and RAID Backup for my important Photos are worth it. But the cost is what put me Wait & See.

You may ask Why not just use any old-desktop as NAS.
Honestly, I do not have an old desktop free to be as NAS now.

Thanks you all for your time, reading or/and comment.

Hello weirdguy,

Instead of buying external and internal HDDs as a bandaid to patch an open wound, let me suggest a 2-phase solution.

Phase-1

Buy the following parts :-
- Dlink DNS-320L RM250
- 2x WD AV Green 3TB RM818
Setup DNS-320L as RAID1 (mirrored). This will provide you some breathing space while you work on completing phase-2.

Total investment for phase-1 RM1068

Phase-2
Buy or build a 4-8 bays NAS which will address your storage needs in the next 3-5 years.

Estimated investment for phase-2 RM2800 to RM10000 depending on the solution. Note that 60-75% of the cost will go into buying the HDDs. Start reading up on NAS and RAID technologies so that you can make informed decisions later.

Thanks mrbob for your suggestion.

I have thought of straight jump to Phase-2 before as I never thought there is a reasonable price and reliable NAS such as the one you recommended.
However, I still wish to understand, from your perspective (hopefully you have Synology especially DS413J), would there be many and great difference/benefit to choose Synology, QNAP than Dlink and others?

Also, is WD AV Green share similar to WD Red series?

This post has been edited by weirdguy: Nov 14 2013, 09:07 PM

For those looking for NAS with transcoding capabilities , read this QNAP Launches : http://www.benchmarkemail.com/c/v?e=3DAEA2...o&relid=C6EC15A

I always recommend getting a DIY fileserver vs a NAS. I just think the NAS in Malaysia (and maybe overseas too) are overpriced.