SOLVED Building a FreeNAS box for file sharing and storing backups

[f4242]

Hello,

I'm new to FreeNAS, ZFS and FreeBSD, but experimented with Linux sysadmin. I'm looking to build a FreeNAS box. That box will have two uses in an SMB : files sharing for the office and storing backups.

Could you tell me if I'm in the right direction with theses components?

• CPU: Intel Xeon E5-2603 V4 1.7GHz 6-Core Processor (Xeon is probably overkill but I need ECC support?)
• CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler (not included with Xeon processor?)
• Motherboard: MSI X99A Raider ATX LGA2011-3 Motherboard
• Memory: Crucial Memory CT2K16G4WFD8213 32GB DDR4 2133 ECC UDIMM 2X16GB
• Boot drive: Kingston SSDNow UV400 120GB 2.5" Solid State Drive
• Storage drives: 8X Hitachi Deskstar NAS 4TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive
• Video card: EVGA GeForce 210 DirectX 10.1 01G-P3-1313-KR 1GB 64-Bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready Low Profile Ready Video Card (overkill but cheapest I found)
• Network: 2X Intel EXPI9301CTBLK PCI-Express x1 10/100/1000 Mbps Network Adapter (would like to use them in aggregation mode to get 2 gbps)
• Case: Fractal Design Define R4 w/Window (Black Pearl) ATX Mid Tower Case (a case with hot swap could be better)
• Power supply: EVGA BQ 650W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply

Like you can see with the posted links, I'm buying from Canada. Let me know if you find some components I could swap to lower the bill.

Thanks!

 

[wblock]

Almost certainly overkill on the processor, but you don't say what the usage will be like. Some of us have found that replacing the stock Intel fan really doesn't accomplish much.

I don't recall seeing many people using that MSI board, and would choose Supermicro long before anything made by MSI. Many Supermicro boards have built-in video with an ASmedia chipset and so no additional video card is needed.

Link aggregation does not work like most people expect. There is an article on it here... somewhere. Also, Supermicro boards would have Intel gigabit adapters built in.

Power supply seems like it's not of the same level as the rest. Gold is worth it, at least in some brands. I've used a couple of the EVGA G2 models with no complaints, and Seasonic is popular.

 

[baummer]

Does your networking equipment (switches/routers) support LACP? If not, I don't think you'll able to setup link aggregation on your NICs.

 

[Stux]

If you're going to go for x99 you should consider an E5-16xx processor. The 2603 is quite slow st single threaded work-loads and this can affect smb.

If you don't need x99/e5 consider a skylake X11 from supermicro board.

 

[f4242]

Hello,

Thank you for your feedback!

The box will serve a Samba share for about 50 users, host a crashplan server (desktop backups) and a burp server (server/vm backups).

This is my revised components list.

• CPU: Intel Xeon E3-1220 V5 3.0GHz Quad-Core Processor
• Motherboard: Supermicro MBD-X11SSM-F-O Micro ATX LGA1151 Motherboard
• Memory: 2X Kingston ValueRAM 16GB (1 x 16GB) DDR4-2133 Memory
• Boot drive: Kingston SSDNow UV400 120GB 2.5" Solid State Drive
• Storage drives: 8X Hitachi Deskstar NAS 4TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive
• Case: Fractal Design Define R4 w/Window (Black Pearl) ATX Mid Tower Case
• Power supply: Corsair RMx 650W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply

Two notes about this revised list:

• I found that Intel Core i3-6100 supports ECC. Should I use the i3 instead of Xeon E3-1220V5 to lower the bill?
• The motherboard has only 8 SATA ports. I miss one port for the boot drive. I'm not very comfortable with the use of USB flash drive for the boot drive. I could add a PCI-E SATA controller, but this seem overkill just for one port. Any idea?

EDIT: replaced power supply

 

[religiouslyconfused]

Hello,

Thank you for your feedback!

The box will serve a Samba share for about 50 users, host a crashplan server (desktop backups) and a burp server (server/vm backups).

This is my revised components list.

• CPU: Intel Xeon E3-1220 V5 3.0GHz Quad-Core Processor
• Motherboard: Supermicro MBD-X11SSM-F-O Micro ATX LGA1151 Motherboard
• Memory: 2X Kingston ValueRAM 16GB (1 x 16GB) DDR4-2133 Memory
• Boot drive: Kingston SSDNow UV400 120GB 2.5" Solid State Drive
• Storage drives: 8X Hitachi Deskstar NAS 4TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive
• Case: Fractal Design Define R4 w/Window (Black Pearl) ATX Mid Tower Case
• Power supply: Corsair RMx 650W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply

Two notes about this revised list:

• I found that Intel Core i3-6100 supports ECC. Should I use the i3 instead of Xeon E3-1220V5 to lower the bill?
• The motherboard has only 8 SATA ports. I miss one port for the boot drive. I'm not very comfortable with the use of USB flash drive for the boot drive. I could add a PCI-E SATA controller, but this seem overkill just for one port. Any idea?

EDIT: replaced power supply

For pure backups you could probably get away with a Core i3, but the Xeon looks good. SSD as a boot drive is pretty nice.

 

[f4242]

Hello,

I made changes again.

• Replaced the motherboard. This one have a M.2 port I will use for my boot drive.
• Replaced the case. This one have 8-bay hot-swap for the storage drives.
• Replaced the power supply. Lowered to 550W, should be enough.

The revised list:

• CPU: Intel Xeon E3-1220 V5 3.0GHz Quad-Core Processor
• Motherboard: Supermicro MBD-X11SSH-LN4F Micro ATX LGA1151 Motherboard
• Memory: 2X Kingston ValueRAM 16GB (1 x 16GB) DDR4-2133 Memory
• Boot drive: Intel 600p Series 128GB M.2-2280 Solid State Drive
• Storage drives: 8X Hitachi Deskstar NAS 4TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive
• Case: Silverstone Technology CS380B Silverstone DIY ATX NAS Storage Case with Hot Swap Cases
• Power supply: Corsair RMx 550W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply

I think I'm not too far from my final configuration.

What do you think about Hitachi Deskstar NAS 7200 RPM vs WD RED 5400 RPM?

 

[ccssid]

Hello,

I made changes again.

• Replaced the motherboard. This one have a M.2 port I will use for my boot drive.
• Replaced the case. This one have 8-bay hot-swap for the storage drives.
• Replaced the power supply. Lowered to 550W, should be enough.

The revised list:

• CPU: Intel Xeon E3-1220 V5 3.0GHz Quad-Core Processor
• Motherboard: Supermicro MBD-X11SSH-LN4F Micro ATX LGA1151 Motherboard
• Memory: 2X Kingston ValueRAM 16GB (1 x 16GB) DDR4-2133 Memory
• Boot drive: Intel 600p Series 128GB M.2-2280 Solid State Drive
• Storage drives: 8X Hitachi Deskstar NAS 4TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive
• Case: Silverstone Technology CS380B Silverstone DIY ATX NAS Storage Case with Hot Swap Cases
• Power supply: Corsair RMx 550W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply

I think I'm not too far from my final configuration.

What do you think about Hitachi Deskstar NAS 7200 RPM vs WD RED 5400 RPM?

Everything looking good. WD Red will give a little less heat and a little less noise. Very similar to my setup. I would say up the xeon to e3 1230 v5 to get 8 threads, but noticed you have to pay quite the premium up there in Canada.

 

[f4242]

Also considering the FreeNAS Mini XL. The custom build is a little bit cheaper and would be easier to repair, but I like the idea to buy a turnkey box ready to be used.

What do you think?

 

[ccssid]

if yo

Also considering the FreeNAS Mini XL. The custom build is a little bit cheaper and would be easier to repair, but I like the idea to buy a turnkey box ready to be used.

What do you think?

If you're asking me ?? Build your own, of course.

 

[GBillR]

• Replaced the power supply. Lowered to 550W, should be enough

What do you think about Hitachi Deskstar NAS 7200 RPM vs WD RED 5400 RPM?

Are you sure about that P/S? with 8 drives and the 80w Xeon, you may be close. Also, I personally use those Corsair P/S for my desktop builds, but I'm not sure I would trust them for a server build. I also second the 5400 Reds. They are plenty fast for NAS use, and will generate a lot less heat.

And lastly... I have read bad things about Kingston RAM in the forums... not sure if anyone has used that RAM on an X11 board, but you should try to find out.

 

[f4242]

Are you sure about that P/S? with 8 drives and the 80w Xeon, you may be close. Also, I personally use those Corsair P/S for my desktop builds, but I'm not sure I would trust them for a server build. I also second the 5400 Reds. They are plenty fast for NAS use, and will generate a lot less heat.

Why not?

Intel Xeon E3-1220 V5 3.0GHz Quad-Core Processor 10W - 80W
Supermicro MBD-X11SSH-LN4F Micro ATX LGA1151 Motherboard 15W - 60W
Kingston ValueRAM 16GB (1 x 16GB) DDR4-2133 Memory 11W - 11W
Kingston ValueRAM 16GB (1 x 16GB) DDR4-2133 Memory 11W - 11W
Hitachi Deskstar NAS 4TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive 4W - 20W
Hitachi Deskstar NAS 4TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive 4W - 20W
Hitachi Deskstar NAS 4TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive 4W - 20W
Hitachi Deskstar NAS 4TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive 4W - 20W
Hitachi Deskstar NAS 4TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive 4W - 20W
Hitachi Deskstar NAS 4TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive 4W - 20W
Hitachi Deskstar NAS 4TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive 4W - 20W
Hitachi Deskstar NAS 4TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive 4W - 20W
Intel 600p Series 128GB M.2-2280 Solid State Drive 2W - 10W
Total: 81W - 332W

Do I miss something?

And lastly... I have read bad things about Kingston RAM in the forums... not sure if anyone has used that RAM on an X11 board, but you should try to find out.

I hope it will works, I just made the order :D. Kingston says it's compatible (the motherboard is in their compatibility list).

 

[ccssid]

Why not?

Intel Xeon E3-1220 V5 3.0GHz Quad-Core Processor 10W - 80W
Supermicro MBD-X11SSH-LN4F Micro ATX LGA1151 Motherboard 15W - 60W
Kingston ValueRAM 16GB (1 x 16GB) DDR4-2133 Memory 11W - 11W
Kingston ValueRAM 16GB (1 x 16GB) DDR4-2133 Memory 11W - 11W
Hitachi Deskstar NAS 4TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive 4W - 20W
Hitachi Deskstar NAS 4TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive 4W - 20W
Hitachi Deskstar NAS 4TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive 4W - 20W
Hitachi Deskstar NAS 4TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive 4W - 20W
Hitachi Deskstar NAS 4TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive 4W - 20W
Hitachi Deskstar NAS 4TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive 4W - 20W
Hitachi Deskstar NAS 4TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive 4W - 20W
Hitachi Deskstar NAS 4TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive 4W - 20W
Intel 600p Series 128GB M.2-2280 Solid State Drive 2W - 10W
Total: 81W - 332W

Do I miss something?



I hope it will works, I just made the order :D. Kingston says it's compatible (the motherboard is in their compatibility list).

Even if you go the 35w per drive at max surge at startup....numbers still look o.k. As I mentioned earlier in a thread, I went over my setup with the tech dept at Seasonic and they reassured me that I was well within the limits of 550w (and , of course, I did my own math). BTW....did you purchase the Hitachi hdd yet ? If not, really reconsider WD Red

 

[f4242]

Yep all components are on order. The NAS will be stored in a server room with A/C. I think noise and heat should not be a problem. I read some review and performance of Deskstar NAS are very comparable with WD Red Pro.

 

[ccssid]

Looks

Yep all components are on order. The NAS will be stored in a server room with A/C. I think noise and heat should not be a problem. I read some review and performance of Deskstar NAS are very comparable with WD Red Pro.

Looks like you are good to go....congrats. will you be going with 9.10 or corral ? Which case did you end up with ?

 

[f4242]

The case is SilverStone SST-CS380 for the 8-bay hot swap.

I think I will start with 9.10. I have both installed in VM. 9.10 seem to work great, but I can't even join our AD domain with Corral (I opened a ticket about that).

 

[GBillR]

Why not?

Total: 81W - 332W

Do I miss something?

I hope it will works, I just made the order :D. Kingston says it's compatible (the motherboard is in their compatibility list).

Nope - Looks like you're good to go. I would be safe and hold 25W per drive, and then add in a 1.25 fudge factor, but that's me. Even doing so (as @ccssid stated), it looks as if you're good. Just wanted to offer the backup.

Let me know how that RAM works for you. It's much cheaper than the Samsung RAM, which is anywhere from $150 - $200 / 16 GB.

Good luck with the build!

 

[f4242]

The build is completed.

Memtest passed w/o problem.

Currently testing my drives.

 

[Chris Moore]

The build is completed.

Memtest passed w/o problem.

Currently testing my drives.

Did you end up using the case that you linked above?

Case: Silverstone Technology CS380B Silverstone DIY ATX NAS Storage Case with Hot Swap Cases

How is that working out for you?

 

[f4242]

Yes it work great since then. I have two identical builds on two differents sites. I even built a third one for use at home (with an i3 instead of Xeon). The case feal a little cheap (tray all plastic), but work fine and I didn't found better anyway.

I had some little issues when configurating FreeNAS (it's my first builds), but always found a way arround.The only remaining problem with the motherboard. When I reboot the server, it often fail to reboot without a power cycle (stuck at "0x17=DIMM Not Present"). Supermicro asked to try to update the BIOS but didn't had time yet.