Can I just buy a used server???

[hondageek]

Is there any reason why I can't just buy a used server, throw a bunch of my own HDDs in it and run FreeNas from a USB stick?

Something like this: http://www.ebay.com/itm/321208677038?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649

 

[hondageek]

Or even better, this: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Dell-PowerE...003752?pt=COMP_EN_Servers&hash=item2c6c07ae68

 

[jgreco]

You can absolutely do that, but you'll end up with a noisy, power-hungry box with a RAID controller that might not be quite what you really want. Compromises, compromises.

 

[DoulosGeek]

Off EBAY I bought an HP DL180/G6
- 14x 1TB 7.2k drives
- 48GB RAM
- P410i RAID controller
- Dual L5520 2.25GHz Quad Core Processors
- Dual hot swap/redundant power supplies
All for $1,500
http://www.ebay.com/itm/121171218352?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649

Swapped the p410i RAID card for an IBM RAIDServe M1015 (flashed to IT mode) for $100 (EBay again).

It is running great so far.