Suggestions for newbie home photo/video NAS, old i3(4th) in 2023

[Kevin_]

Original post , Got lost at forum..
Update for my first DIY NAS for home photo/videos
Mainly function would be backup for my google photo and photoprism, also as a SMB backup/video center
(further more may start VPN tunneling through internet, but still far away)
OS would be TrueNAS scale

Components	Brand / Spec	Source	USD
MB	Asrock E3C224-4L	2nd hand market	33.34
CPU	Intel i3-4130	Old	0
Cooler	Intel stock cooler	Old	0
PSU	FSP Hydro G PRO 650W (Gold 80+)	Brand new	87.19
RAM	Samsung ECC RAM 1600 8G*4	2nd hand market	40.16
Boot drive	Micron crucial BX500 240 GB*2 (mirrored)	Brand new	30.63
Case	Fractal Design Meshify 2	Brand new	152.81
HD Fans	Case stock fan x 2 14mm	Brand new	0
Exhaust Fans	Case stock fan x 1 14mm	Brand new	0
Vdev1	Seagate IronWolf Pro 4 x 18TB in RAIDZ2	Brand new	1650.03
Total cost	Without Data HDD		344.13

After reading post/fundamental there is no read/write cache for TrueNAS(misconception from other NAS system), so there is no need for NVMe SSDs for SLOG.
Simply just add all the RAM I could get for this mother board.(MB support single DIMM at 8GB with 4 slot DIMM)

I think the major problem would be Data HDD, I should go for EXOS with lower RPM and the initial volume go with 8~10 TB should be fine.(can't resist special offer...)
Any suggestions for this build?

 

[ChrisRJ]

(further more may start VPN tunneling through internet, but still far away)

VPN belongs on the router, not the NAS

I think the major problem would be Data HDD, I should go for EXOS with lower RPM and the initial volume go with 8~10 TB should be fine.

Seagate Exos are data center drives and as such have the normal 7200 RPM.

The rest looks ok to me.

 

[Kevin_]

Thanks for Chris kindly reply, finally get my system sets (kinda)

Following as my some trial and errors. Maybe useful for someone else try on old machine.
There's definite have better solutions, but works on me.

So current my NAS strategy from SMB share with photoprism to Nextcloud application with memories app(under Nextcloud application)
Reason would be:
1. Personal space(privacy)
2. SMB share via mobile devices ( it could be setup, but for elder's experience would be a pain)
3. Auto sync (Could solve by rclone, but also not every member is used to cld, OAth certification held on someone else make's user unconfortable)

Which Nextcloud nailed it, maybe not a best system efficiency, but much more friendly for users and administration.

**Hardware
Old spec motherboard java requirement not available via current modern computer
Occur: Unavailable to access Ikvm function due to java safety update
Solution: Downgrade java to meet ikvm software required

Case fan noise of P101 Silent still a little bit noisy
Solution: Upgrade cases fan via Noctua Silent Fan(not yet)

**TrueNas basics
TrueNas unable to detect my Igpu
Occur: From isolated GPU, could get my onboard ASPEED GPU.
Solution: Reboot to BIOS check GPU instead of "onboard" should on "integrated"(not yet)

**Nextcloud apps
Unable install Nextcloud via Truecharts
Occur: Install shows error
Solution: Truecharts need Cloudnative and promethus preinstall

Truecharts' Nextcloud unable deploying via custom path
Occur: Deploying stuck on 5/8 (or 4/7 w/o collab), events showing loop create port to ix-system
Occur_2: From Apps > Image, showing corrupt image file which unable to delete
Solution (not really): For preinstall setup, instead custom path using PVC available to deploy
Solution_2 : Uninstall all Apps and removed ix-system application dataset(reset all images).
Instead of using Truecharts' Nextcloud, TrueNas's Nextcloud w/o this issue

Collab not available through nextcloud
Occur: Nextcloud setup custom server shows clients need to be under same http/https
Solution: Go through Apps>Collab(Also from TrueNas), certification by ix-system, after deployed Collab would using https by default

After install Nextcloud MediaDC(for delete repeated picture/videos), unable access to setup pages.
Occur: Nextcloud overview shows outter link at different IP, unable to access MediaDC's pages.
Solution: Instead of proxy/Ips issue, need preinstall python under Nextcloud's application pages.

After install Nextcloud's recognized application, under setup pages shown need install machine learning to available
Solution: Just simple throw any pictures in memories/album, the install would automated start.

 

[Kevin_]

Another update for sadly news.

**Hardware
Unable to detect integrate CPU graphics, even manual update i915 firmware.(By this tutorial from reddit)
After searching chipset spec, unfortunately C224 did not support integrate CPU graphics(C226 does)
For FLEX/Jellyfin need another hardware accelerate solution...

Case fan of P101 Silent still a little bit noisy
Solution: Upgrade cases fan via Noctua A12x25, much more quieter, only harddrive sounds left.
(Stock fan lowest speed: 1300rpm vs. upgrade 700 rpm)
But after this fan upgrade, definite affordable a higher budget case. e.g. Fractal Design Meshify 2(out of stock in my region)

Overall, if you are seeking old spec CPU for media use NAS, it may not a good option.
The major issue would be modern decode may not support, also need carefully handle hardware options.
Nothing worried to a simple data/photo center use.