Once again I feel the need... The need for more storage space. And with more storage space comes newer, better, more exciting hardware! So my current file server build is pretty basic, something just hobbled together from spare parts.
- Intel Pentium Dual Core e5200
- mATX Gigabyte LGA775 board
- 2GB DDR2
- 1x1TB+1x2TB in spanned volume (I know, I’m bad)
- Couple of 2.5” drives for OS and download caching
- 350w Sparkle power supply
I’m honestly surprised the thing has lasted this long without a drive failure. My luck while typing this, a drive would fail. So, we’re going to address the weak points in my current server build with the new one.
Power consumption
The current server consumes a fair bit of power. The processor really isn’t horrible power wise, but it is a 65w TDP, and it’s running on an older, more power hungry chipset. This is going to be remedied by a much more powerful, more efficient processor, the Intel Core i3 2120T. This is a dual core processor running at 2.6GHz, however, it’s a newer more energy efficient process, with a TDP of 35w, and by benchmarks, is about twice as powerful. The poweful part could easily be due to the included hyperthreading, but a lot of it just comes down to a better overall build process and more efficient transistors. The i3 2120T will find itself at home in my new file server build.
Expandability
The current file server is running on an mATX board which only has 2 DIMM slots, which would be alright, if they took DDR3 memory. The cost of DDR2 is practically outrageous compared to DDR3, and even compared to ECC DDR3. Sure I could populate it with 8GB of DDR2, but that’s as far as it would go. Not only that, but without ECC, one is looking at the possibility of running into errors while processing, which can lead to corrupted files. Another major limitation with the board is the minimal number of expansion slots. One can only do so much with a single PCI-e x16 slot. The board also has fairly limited I/O options, including the serviceable, however, not ideal, Realtek NIC. The final major limitation on the board is the limited number of SATA ports. The board only has 4 making an expansion card practically a necessity. Although an expansion card will be put to use in the new server, it’s not a necessity off the bat, so I can hold out on purchase until required.
For the new motherboard, I chose a SuperMicro X9SCL+-F. This board is extremely flexbile, with some great features to boot. It’s an mATX format with 3 PCI-e x8 lanes, 6 on board SATA ports, IPMI for KVM over LAN, dual Intel Gigabit NICs, an onboard USB port for OS installs, and 4 DIMM slots that accept only ECC DDR3. The board should be rock solid in this regard, serving up lots of usability niceties. Hell, with IPMI, I will only ever have to have ethernet and power hooked up. I may still go with a Tyan S5512WGM2NR, due to the onboard LSI 2008 RAID controller, which, when flashed with IT firmware, would provide 14 usable SATA ports to the server. It also includes triple Intel based LAN, providing even more interfaces for higher bandwidth applications. This however, is probably more trouble than it’s worth in my case, so I will more than likely stick by the SuperMicro board.
For drives, the server will be running pairs of 3TB drives in RAID 1. It will start with 1 pair, allowing for 3TB of usable storage space, and when adding another pair, I will stripe with the existing pair, allowing for a RAID10. This should increase performance while still maintaining a much higher level of redundancy than my current spanned volume. Once I get to the point where I run out of on board SATA ports, I will add a port expander, possibly a SuperMicro AOC-SAS2LP-MV8, which would allow a further 8 drives to be connected. Ideally at some point I would be adding an SLC SSD for a ZIL cache, along with more RAM as well for a larger ARC cache.
That about covers how I’m going to make up for the downsides of the current server, as for the rest of the parts, I believe I have decided on them. For a case, I figure a Fractal Design Define R4 will be more than adequate for what I want to do for storage, however, a Fractal Design Define XL may also be considered due to the extra 5.25” bays, along with the 2 extra 3.5” bays. The fractal cases look absolutely beautiful, and are designed for silence and good cooling. The 3.5” bays all have rubber gromets attached too, to limit hard drive vibrations, and all vents either have the option of being blocked, or include a dust filter to keep things clean.
As for a power supply, I haven’t quite decided on what model, however I am leaning toward an Antec Earthwatts power supply. I have never had any trouble with Antec supplies, and it should be enough to provide the power required for the server. Ideally, it will be a platinum model, to further cut down on power usage.
For hard drives, I’m leaning toward Seagate 7200RPM drives for the cost to performance ratio, as the 3TB models normally go for around $130. I haven’t had any trouble with the Seagate drives that I have purchased in the past, so I have no reason to believe it will be any different this time around.
The final build should look like this:
- Intel Core i3 2120T
- SuperMicro X9SCL+-F
- 16GB ECC DDR3
- 8x3TB drives in RAID 10 for 12TB usable or 10x3TB drives in RAID 10 for 15TB usable
- 20GB Intel SLC SSD for ZIL cache
- 650w Antec Earthwatts modular
- Fractal Design Define R4 or Fractal Design Define XL
- OpenIndiana installed to 16GB USB thumb drive on internal USB header.
Over the process of the build, the server will basically bump up by 3TB intervals. The bump for 6TB will also bump the RAM to 8GB, and the bump to 9TB will then bump the RAM to 16GB. I’ll add the other drives as needed then.
That about covers the file server. I’ll be sure to add any hardware updates and whatnot as more parts roll in. I’m hoping to have everything going by Christmas, and ideally at least a functional testbed without drives by the end of October. In future posts I’ll also be logging a virtual server build, and a possible desktop upgrade. And guess what? There’s some more reviews around the corner!
Stay tuned.
