41-50k PC as central storage function

[sushant9090]

Hi
I am planning to build a small central storage server for my small office, wherein 7 people will access the storage over network. A NAS with 6-8 bays is costing above my budget. I went through forum posts and found that vakarthik's query similar, and he's clear what he wants and he wants a Linux based PC for FreeNAS.
Whereas my office environment is Windows, and am planning to build a storage array that could handle 6-8 hdds, and have RAID 5 configured for redundancy purpose as most motherboards support RAID feature. Also a PC would come in handy as it can be put to use as a guest PC at times.
The storage capacity that am looking for is 8-10TB as we have lot of design data to backup.
I seek your advice on what all points to consider to build such a PC, and what would be ideal configuration for such a system. What Windows based NAS software can I use? Or can I do without it?

 

[cranky]

FreeNAS PC is indistinguishable from a NAS device. Windows clients can access it without any problem over the network.

 

[babhishek]

if you have a budget of 50k, why not go for a dedicated NAS Product?

 

[amitkher]

if you have a budget of 50k, why not go for a dedicated NAS Product?

For 8-10 TB, it will be around 30k for non-redundant hard drive space (around 3*3TB). If one even wants 4/3 RAID-5 protection, it gets around 40k. Leaving 10k for the NAS itself, which doesn't give a great NAS, especially if a lot of people have to use it and to support 6-8 HDDs.[DOUBLEPOST=1373984037][/DOUBLEPOST]

Hi
I am planning to build a small central storage server for my small office, wherein 7 people will access the storage over network. A NAS with 6-8 bays is costing above my budget. I went through forum posts and found that vakarthik's query similar, and he's clear what he wants and he wants a Linux based PC for FreeNAS.

You could do exactly like him if it fits your budget, and use it for windows clients.

 

[vivek.krishnan]

If several people are trying to access the NAS - then using it as a guest PC is not recommended - and it is a major security risk.

Would suggest to get a G2010 + B75 + 8GB dual channel RAM combo, one SSD for the Windows Server OS and 4x 2TB drives for the RAID. You should also get a good capable PSU, and a very large cabby. If you can do NIC teaming for higher speeds - may be useful.

 

[sushant9090]

Thanks everyone for the suggestions. The 6-8 bays NAs from Qnap and Buffalo are beyond 50k and HDDs costs extra. So thought to plan for storage array PC.
@vivek.krishnan Thanks for your suggestion. So, an additional LAN card 'teamed' with onboard LAN can be done? Would a 450W Coolermaster be fine, I guess.

 

[vivek.krishnan]

That is something to be answered by those who know more in depth about NAS. AFAIK, Windows Server 2012 has link aggregation built in - so you can use two adapters from different brands maybe.

450W should be fine, I guess.

 

[sasikanth8]

Thanks everyone for the suggestions. The 6-8 bays NAs from Qnap and Buffalo are beyond 50k and HDDs costs extra. So thought to plan for storage array PC.
@vivek.krishnan Thanks for your suggestion. So, an additional LAN card 'teamed' with onboard LAN can be done? Would a 450W Coolermaster be fine, I guess.

450W should be more than enough but i suggest to get a seasonic PSU.

 

[sushant9090]

Again, thanks a lot to everyone here for their suggestions, we're going with your suggestions. @vivek.krishnan My IT setup guy too has said that he can handle NIC port teaming. I guess you have helped us in handling a core issue for speed.

 

[axeman]

Prefer having 2 NIC card's of 1 GBPS each and team them up.

Leave the onboard NIC separate for taking access of the device and doing administration and management/ monitoring without impacting bandwidth.

Little more cabling, much more peace of mind, else when your NAS is at full load, you may not be able to access it for admin/ mgmt due to lack of bandwidth.