(Yet another) Node 304 Build Validation

[creekmor]

Hello! I have been reading through a number of other builds and I am fairly confident in my budget build, but I would still appreciate someone with more experience to give me a warm fuzzy that everything will work as I expect.
I have no illusions that I am going to be transcoding bluray rips in plex and serving out active directory and samba shares to 50 users. I hope to use it as a cheap, low power usage file server to hold and have multiple copies of my critical data (family pictures/videos, etc).

CPU: Intel Pentium G3220

RAM: Crucial 16GB (2 x 8GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM ECC
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820148770

MOBO: ASRock Motherboard, Mini ITX DDR3 1066 LGA 1150 E3C224D2I

PSU: Seasonic 360W 80PLUS Gold

HDD: A couple of WD Reds X TB Mirrored (Still trying to determine space needs)

BOOT: SanDisk Cruzer Fit 8GB (On the super cool internal USB)

Any and all input is greatly appreciated!

 

[Fraoch]

Looks really good.

You may want to consider a second USB drive so you have mirrored boot drives.

 

[creekmor]

Thankya. Mirrored in the BIOS or is there a way within Frenas?

 

[Fraoch]

You do it from within the FreeNAS GUI:

http://doc.freenas.org/9.3/freenas_system.html#mirroring-the-boot-device

You've selected probably the most reliable USB stick you can get, but it doesn't hurt, especially if you're already paying for shipping or if it's free. Some even get a 3rd or 4th one as a spare or for testing.

 

[creekmor]

I like it. I have Amazon prime, so 6 more bucks is worth the added benefit of not having to configure everything again if a USB fails.

 

[Fraoch]

Of course you should also keep a backup of your configuration database somewhere too. Reinstalling is a simple matter of installing a fresh OS onto a new stick, auto-importing the pool and loading the backup.

Running off the mirror would be faster and less risky though.

 

[pschatz100]

As long as you are buying new components, I would recommend a 16Gb usb stick instead of 8Gb. 8Gb is OK, but with the new update process for FreeNAS 9.3, 16Gb will give you more headroom for keeping boot images.

 

[creekmor]

Noted - Thank you. I thought I remembered seeing 8 somewhere but 16 isn't a big jump in price.

 

[pschatz100]

8Gb is the recommended minimum for a boot device under FreeNAS 9.3. However, the new update system stores updates on the boot device and lets you revert to a previous version if an update fails or has a major bug. 16Gb gives you more space to keep old boot images. Just more convenient if you are a frequent updater.

I have an 8Gb stick, so I'm using it. But if I were buying new, I'd buy 16Gb.

 

[joelmusicman]

Creekmor: I'm running almost that exact config, except using 6x "desktop" Seagate 3TB hard drives. I have no complaints about anything except the drives I chose. I can confirm that real-time Plex transcoding doesn't work so well, but otherwise it can handle quite a lot.

 

[creekmor]

Thanks for the warm fuzzy, Joel. Did you have a hard time with the cable management in the case? I've heard some complaints on making things fit

 

[joelmusicman]

It was challenging, but not impossible. I recall needing two of these, and plenty of zip ties.

There is definitely a correct sequence for component install as well.

 

[creekmor]

Thanks for the heads up - I'll add one to my list (Actually I think I have some already)

 

[pschatz100]

Creekmor: I'm running almost that exact config, except using 6x "desktop" Seagate 3TB hard drives. I have no complaints about anything except the drives I chose. I can confirm that real-time Plex transcoding doesn't work so well, but otherwise it can handle quite a lot.

If transcoding is a priority, you would be better off with a Core i3. However, the Pentium is a good choice for basic NAS functions.

 

[creekmor]

Could anyone recommend a UPS for this setup? I don't need to power anything else but the NAS on the battery while it shuts down.


Would this do the trick?

 

[Ericloewe]

Could anyone recommend a UPS for this setup? I don't need to power anything else but the NAS on the battery while it shuts down.


Would this do the trick?

It would work. If you're ok with spending a bit more, a pure sinewave UPS might be safer with modern PSUs, but the Back-UPS Pro has been working well for me.

 

[Gonzalo]

Thanks for the warm fuzzy, Joel. Did you have a hard time with the cable management in the case? I've heard some complaints on making things fit

If you have patience and a bunch of zip ties you can do a good job. See my server here. As @joelmusicman said, the correct order of the components installation is important and a full modular PSU too. Also, I didn't need additional cables for hard drives.

 

[creekmor]

I haven't bought anything yet - still saving...

I was looking at my motherboards supported memory:
http://www.asrockrack.com/general/productdetail.asp?Model=E3C224D2I#Memory

I don't see Crucial on the list. Should I be concerned? The only name brand I recognize is Kingston and that doesn't seem to be a favorite on this forum...

 

[Bidule0hm]

There is Micron and Crucial is Micron ;)

 

[Ericloewe]

Essentially the same board, much larger QVL:

http://www.asrockrack.com/general/productdetail.asp?Model=E3C226D2I#Memory