SOLVED first time building a freenas server and had some questions...

[Shadowwrah5]

Hi everyone first time poster here on my first freenas build. I just had a few questions:
1) ecc memory is the route I want to go with. Can ecc memory work with any motherboard or cpu?
2) Do I need a Xeon processor (for the built in raid controller) or does freenas handle that there for any multi core processor will work?
3) does freenas have a dropbox like program where it can auto sync data with my desktop?

Thanks for the help!

 

[HoneyBadger]

Howdy.

There's some really good information over in the Hardware Recommendations thread so have a read through there.

1) Nope. ECC requires support from both the motherboard and the CPU. We've had some issues with certain Intel chips saying they support it when they don't, so once you've got a list of parts, post it here and wait for some validation.

2) Xeons don't have a "built-in RAID controller" and I'm not sure where that came from. Besides, you don't want anything that advertises itself as "hardware RAID" for a FreeNAS machine.

3) That would be a function of the desktop software. Your FreeNAS machine will appear as a network path, which you could assign to a local drive letter or path depending on your operating system, then use something like Microsoft's Windows Backup, Apple's Time Machine, or other third-party solution to keep the files in sync.

 

[DifferentStrokes]

Hi everyone first time poster here on my first freenas build. I just had a few questions:
1) ecc memory is the route I want to go with. Can ecc memory work with any motherboard or cpu?
2) Do I need a Xeon processor (for the built in raid controller) or does freenas handle that there for any multi core processor will work?
3) does freenas have a dropbox like program where it can auto sync data with my desktop?

Thanks for the help!

1 - No
2 - Not sure I understand the question
3 - Yes. There is Syncthing and BTSYNC

Welcome to the forum!

 

[Bidule0hm]

1) No, you need specific MB and CPU (usually server grade hardware)
2) You can put any CPU you want but for ECC to work you need a xeon or pentium IIRC (some i3 should support ECC but a recent thread made them risky to use)
3) I have no idea besides rsync, do a search ;)

 

[cyberjock]

3 - Yes. There is Syncthing and BTSYNC

Please note that both of those are NOT part of FreeNAS. They are available as plugins for FreeNAS, but FreeNAS itself does not support such a feature.

 

[marbus90]

3) Owncloud is the dropbox alternative.

check cyberjocks hardware recommendation thread: https://forums.freenas.org/index.php?threads/hardware-recommendations-read-this-first.23069/

 

[Shadowwrah5]

These are the parts I have found for my build. Can you confirm that they will all work appropriatly and if possible see if you can find any cheaper parts to cut costs a bit. (all links are on newegg.com)
Motherboard (link)
CPU (link)
PSU (link)
RAM (link)
Case (link)
Hdds (link)
Flash Drive (link)

This is a server that will just server as a backup and nas in a home setting. I have some movies in 1080p that it will be streaming but thats the most it will do as far as hard work. I want it to be reliable yet as cheap as I can make it. My total is currently $722. Im really worried about the ram motherboard and cpu working with freenas appropriatly. Thanks for the help!

Ps: Should a server be on a backup psu? If its on a surge protecter and the power goes out what risks are there to my data?

 

[danb35]

Yes, you should have a UPS. The parts look compatible, though we don't much like Kingston stuff around here, and tend to prefer Seasonic power supplies. Your CPU should be fine to stream video, but I wouldn't bet on being able to transcode.

 

[Shadowwrah5]

alright I found this stick of memory by crucial (HERE) and a similar seasonic psu (HERE). If I wanted to have the ability to transcode what should I buff my cpu up too? The strongest one I could find in the intel celeron line that supported ecc was this one here.

 

[danb35]

If you're wanting to transcode, I'd suggest at least an i3.

 

[DifferentStrokes]

Please note that both of those are NOT part of FreeNAS. They are available as plugins for FreeNAS, but FreeNAS itself does not support such a feature.

True dat.

 

[Shadowwrah5]

Okay so correct me if Im wrong but transcoding is only needed if the device trying to play the file doesnt support the type of file format it is in. If all my files are mp3s for example and all my devices support mp3 playback, no transcoding would be needed right? Same with movies, etc.

 

[danb35]

Correct. If your playback device supports all your file formats natively, you wouldn't need to transcode.

 

[Shadowwrah5]

Cool so I think ill stick with the celeron in this case. Thanks for all the help guys!!!

 

[DataKeeper]

If you haven't purchased yet the Supermicro A1SAi-2750f board/CPU might be a solution for you.

 

[Shadowwrah5]

If you haven't purchased yet the Supermicro A1SAi-2750f board/CPU might be a solution for you.

What makes this board a better choice over the other? Obviously is faster with more gadgets but do I need all that for a simple nas/backup?

 

[SweetAndLow]

What makes this board a better choice over the other? Obviously is faster with more gadgets but do I need all that for a simple nas/backup?

only real advantage to that board is the support for 32GB of memory. But that memory is very expensive right now and not usually work it because at the same price you can build a E5 system.

 

[marbus90]

32GB is still cheap on Avoton. at 64GB however the tide turns, Xeon E5's are 30% cheaper then. Also I'm awaiting the Xeon D - 4x32GB LRDIMMs = 128GB RAM and 2x10Gbe in an standard ITX form factor :)

 

[Shadowwrah5]

Alright but the parts I have above will work for my system and needs correct? Its a ton of money I wanna be sure I don't have any problems..

 

[DataKeeper]

Just tossing out another suggestion was all. It actually supports 64G of RAM per Supermicro's page. The memory isn't that expensive. Its lower power. 4 network ports. Its passively cooled to quieter.