First NAS. First NAS Build.

[fr33n0zeer]

I've been searching for a NAS solution for about a year, initially eyeing up Synology and QNAP. But these options seemed to fall short in one way or another. The consumer grade boxes tend to lack upgradability. And some features require additional licensing fees, such as with security cameras.

After reading many posts in this forum, I am looking more closely at putting together a 5 drive NAS box using the HPE ProLient ML10 Gen9 Tower Server. I've seen a couple of successful builds in this forum using this inexpensive system. And it only requires adding more RAM to meet the FreeNAS 8GB minimum, a Display Port to VGA adapter, and a 16GB flash drive, in addition to the hard drives (WD RED NAS 4TB) for data storage.

HP ProLient ML10 Gen9
16GB Kingston DDR4 ECC
Tripp Lite DP to VGA
SandDisk 16GB FD (x2)

Previously Purchased
5 WD RED 4 TB HD

Option: Replace the two flash drives for a SanDisk SSD PLUS 120GB SSD.


This system should provide more than enough storage/parity to meet my needs now and for several years to come. Does this seem like a descent entry level setup? Any changes you would recommend?

 

[gpsguy]

It's a great budget system. I bought one back in March.

You'll probably need 2 SATA power splitters.

 

[Patrik Hansson]

Just a heads up, according to the reviews on the site:
"They use Displayport as the video out and if you try and use a Displayport to VGA adapter it won't work unless you buy the HP adapter at 3-4X the price of the others."

 

[fr33n0zeer]

It's a great budget system. I bought one back in March.

You'll probably need 2 SATA power splitters.

Thanks for the diagram. Helpful.

 

[fr33n0zeer]

Just a heads up, according to the reviews on the site:
"They use Displayport as the video out and if you try and use a Displayport to VGA adapter it won't work unless you buy the HP adapter at 3-4X the price of the others."

The Tripp Lite DP to VGA is one that bent98 recently used on their machine. That's why I chose it.

 

[Inxsible]

120GB SSD option, if you go for it, is way too big. Buy a 32/64GB SSD instead. Although I use a USB drive for my boot, because my board doesn't have anymore SATA ports and buying a PCIE card just for the boot drives seems like a waste to me. When providing power to the drives, try to use a molex cable and molex to SATA adapters instead of using any splitters, if possible. I don't know how many cable runs your power supply has. Is it modular/semi-modular or non-modular?

 

[Linkman]

The TrippLite adapter will work just fine - it's an Active adapter, which will work (passive will not), and I think that's the same one I'm using.

The power supply is not modular/semi-modular, and has no Molex connectors, only SATA (and perhaps a fan? can't recall). It's designed for that specific case/board/drive configuration.

Try to find crimped, not molded, adapters/splitters for safety.

 

[fr33n0zeer]

120GB SSD option, if you go for it, is way too big. Buy a 32/64GB SSD instead.

I initially looked for a 32GB SSD but the cost was the same or more for a lesser brand than the SanDisk SSD.

 

[fr33n0zeer]

The power supply is not modular/semi-modular, and has no Molex connectors, only SATA (and perhaps a fan? can't recall). It's designed for that specific case/board/drive configuration.

Try to find crimped, not molded, adapters/splitters for safety.

Is this what you mean when you say "crimped"?

 

[Inxsible]

Nope. See this for more info:

 

[fr33n0zeer]

Nope. See this for more info:

Thanks. I hadn't realized that Molex connectors came like that. I'm used the "push-in" kind. Though I don't think this unit uses Molex.

 

[Inxsible]

Thanks. I hadn't realized that Molex connectors came like that. I'm used the "push-in" kind. Though I don't think this unit uses Molex.

Same applies to the SATA power cables too though.

 

[fr33n0zeer]

Same applies to the SATA power cables too though.

Gottcha. Thanks.

 

[gpsguy]

Though I don't think this unit uses Molex.

Correct!

 

[fr33n0zeer]

Well...I ordered the HP ProLient ML10 Gen9, 16GB Kingston DDR4 ECC, and Tripp Lite DP to VGA.

1. I need to decide between running off of flash drives or getting an SSD.
2. And then I just need to find some decent SATA extension power cables.

Did I just do this?

 

[Inxsible]

Did I just do this?

Yes, yes you did !!! :)

Good luck and enjoy the new system.

 

[fr33n0zeer]

Yes, yes you did !!! :)

Good luck and enjoy the new system.

At least the "Good luck..." isn't followed by eerie laughter. I must say that I'm both excited and a little nervous.

 

[gpsguy]

Nothing to be nervous about. - some of us have have already blazed the trail ahead of you.

 

[fr33n0zeer]

Nothing to be nervous about. - some of us have have already blazed the trail ahead of you.

Ah, so very true. And for that I am thankful.

My caution is with the hope that I avoid a huge oh no data loss moment. With that in mind I’m a little concerned about missing something critical in the deployment process.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Linkman]

As mentioned, more like the 1 to 4 splitter here https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0086OGN9E/

That's the one I'm using.