Hello everyone!
After spending a couple of weeks looking at different options for a DIY NAS, hardware recommendations and the merits of FreeNAS vs. alternatives like unRAID, I've been convinced that ZFS seems to be the way to go. While I would have preferred if ZFS was more flexible in terms of expansion, the anti-bit rot features are a much higher priority than expandability.
The use case for this build is a machine capable of safely storing personal files as well as being able to handle 4-5 simultaneous PLEX transcodes. It might also be used to run some jails such as BT Sync, Owncloud, etc.
My (albeit limited) understanding of ZFS is that it will keep data safe on a software level, meaning the biggest threats are damaged hardware (disk failure or disaster) or simple user error. A properly configured array should mitigate the damage of disk failures, but I also understand that "RAID(Z) is not a backup" and would very much appreciate any tips for a backup solution, such as if it would be advisable to build a second FreeNAS machine to keep off-site, or if it would be enough to backup snapshots to one or multiple smaller, less expensive devices.
The Build
Case: Fractal Design Define R6
By ordering trays from Fractal's spare parts shop, the Define R6 will be able to fit up to 11 HDDS and 4 SSDs.
CPU: Intel Xeon E3-1270 V6
I realize is that this CPU is most likely overkill, given that the hardware guide recommends the E3-1230 V5 and similar CPUs for heavy transcode use, but I managed to find one almost new at a very good price, and decided to snap it up while available. This is therefore the only part of the build that is more or less set in stone.
Motherboard: Supermicro X11SSL-CF or Supermicro X11SSM-F
The choice of motherboard mainly comes down to the amount of drives that will be be used in the system. If the total amount of drives (including SSDs) is 14 or less, I can get away with using the X11SSL-CF without a separate HBA.
RAM: Crucial 32GB Kit (2 x 16GB) DDR4-2400 ECC UDIMM
SSD: 2-4x Samsung 860 EVO 250GB
One SSD will be used as a boot drive, and one will be used for jails. I'm not sure of either of these are worth mirroring, but if they both are I would end up with a max of 4 SSDs. This particular model also seems to be a bit overpowered, at least for a boot drive, but the price difference for lower-capacity SSDs seems to be negligible unless I choose to step down to a lower quality products (such as a WD Green 120 GB, which I've heard bad things about).
Storage: 11x WD Red 4TB
I'm currently thinking of using 11 4TB drives in a RAIDZ3-array, which should result in around 30 TB of redundant storage. The only issue with this is that it would be impossible to expand without replacing every single drive in the array. The alternative would be to use 6x6TB drives in a RAIDZ2-array, with the ability to add another 5xN TB vdev later on. The question is whether it's better to have 2 vdevs capable of surviving 2 drive failures each, or 1 vdev capable of handling 3 drive failures. I've also heard that 5 drives is not an ideal number for a RAIDZ2-array, but I'm not sure how much of an issue that would be in practice.
PSU: EVGA SuperNOVA 850 G2 or Corsair RM850i
Based on the following calculation, the ideal size of a power supply would be 800 W, but given that they appear to be a bit uncommon, I have instead decided to go with a 850 W PSU. This should also enable me to add in an extra fan later on.
While the general recommendation seems to be to use Seasonic power supplies, they don't provide a model with enough cables to support the number of drives that will be used in this build, and don't appear to sell additional cables. Both of these PSUs come with 10 SATA connectors, and sell additional cable sets.
UPS: APC SMC1500I Smart-UPS C 1500VA LCD 230V
I'm honestly not sure how important a UPS is, but since the it has to be able to handle the power draw of the PSU, this 900 W model seemed like a good choice.
Thank you in advance for all your help!
After spending a couple of weeks looking at different options for a DIY NAS, hardware recommendations and the merits of FreeNAS vs. alternatives like unRAID, I've been convinced that ZFS seems to be the way to go. While I would have preferred if ZFS was more flexible in terms of expansion, the anti-bit rot features are a much higher priority than expandability.
The use case for this build is a machine capable of safely storing personal files as well as being able to handle 4-5 simultaneous PLEX transcodes. It might also be used to run some jails such as BT Sync, Owncloud, etc.
My (albeit limited) understanding of ZFS is that it will keep data safe on a software level, meaning the biggest threats are damaged hardware (disk failure or disaster) or simple user error. A properly configured array should mitigate the damage of disk failures, but I also understand that "RAID(Z) is not a backup" and would very much appreciate any tips for a backup solution, such as if it would be advisable to build a second FreeNAS machine to keep off-site, or if it would be enough to backup snapshots to one or multiple smaller, less expensive devices.
The Build
Case: Fractal Design Define R6
By ordering trays from Fractal's spare parts shop, the Define R6 will be able to fit up to 11 HDDS and 4 SSDs.
CPU: Intel Xeon E3-1270 V6
I realize is that this CPU is most likely overkill, given that the hardware guide recommends the E3-1230 V5 and similar CPUs for heavy transcode use, but I managed to find one almost new at a very good price, and decided to snap it up while available. This is therefore the only part of the build that is more or less set in stone.
Motherboard: Supermicro X11SSL-CF or Supermicro X11SSM-F
The choice of motherboard mainly comes down to the amount of drives that will be be used in the system. If the total amount of drives (including SSDs) is 14 or less, I can get away with using the X11SSL-CF without a separate HBA.
RAM: Crucial 32GB Kit (2 x 16GB) DDR4-2400 ECC UDIMM
SSD: 2-4x Samsung 860 EVO 250GB
One SSD will be used as a boot drive, and one will be used for jails. I'm not sure of either of these are worth mirroring, but if they both are I would end up with a max of 4 SSDs. This particular model also seems to be a bit overpowered, at least for a boot drive, but the price difference for lower-capacity SSDs seems to be negligible unless I choose to step down to a lower quality products (such as a WD Green 120 GB, which I've heard bad things about).
Storage: 11x WD Red 4TB
I'm currently thinking of using 11 4TB drives in a RAIDZ3-array, which should result in around 30 TB of redundant storage. The only issue with this is that it would be impossible to expand without replacing every single drive in the array. The alternative would be to use 6x6TB drives in a RAIDZ2-array, with the ability to add another 5xN TB vdev later on. The question is whether it's better to have 2 vdevs capable of surviving 2 drive failures each, or 1 vdev capable of handling 3 drive failures. I've also heard that 5 drives is not an ideal number for a RAIDZ2-array, but I'm not sure how much of an issue that would be in practice.
PSU: EVGA SuperNOVA 850 G2 or Corsair RM850i
Based on the following calculation, the ideal size of a power supply would be 800 W, but given that they appear to be a bit uncommon, I have instead decided to go with a 850 W PSU. This should also enable me to add in an extra fan later on.
CPU: 72 W
Motherboard: 25 W
RAM: 12 (2x6) W
SSD: 16 (4x4) W
Storage: 385 (11x35) W
SAS Controller: 10 W
Case Fans: 90 (3x30) W
Total: 610 W
1.3x Total: 793 W
Motherboard: 25 W
RAM: 12 (2x6) W
SSD: 16 (4x4) W
Storage: 385 (11x35) W
SAS Controller: 10 W
Case Fans: 90 (3x30) W
Total: 610 W
1.3x Total: 793 W
While the general recommendation seems to be to use Seasonic power supplies, they don't provide a model with enough cables to support the number of drives that will be used in this build, and don't appear to sell additional cables. Both of these PSUs come with 10 SATA connectors, and sell additional cable sets.
UPS: APC SMC1500I Smart-UPS C 1500VA LCD 230V
I'm honestly not sure how important a UPS is, but since the it has to be able to handle the power draw of the PSU, this 900 W model seemed like a good choice.
Thank you in advance for all your help!
