Re: [gentoo-user] homemade nas setup

[Matt Harrison <iwasinnamuknow@genestate.com>]

Harry Putnam wrote:
> I've been looking into setting up or getting somekind of nas
> storage/backup capability lately so thought I'd ask about it here
> since I'm sure some of you will be using something or will have built
> your own.
> 
> After looking at a few on google .. I'm a little surprised at the high
> end pricetags and even the midranges for a factory made setup.
> 
> Makes me wonder what if anything I'd be missing, functionality wise,
> if I were to build it up myself.
> 
> I see these storebought things are mostly running a small embedded
> linux os.
> 
> The lowend stuff like WD `mybook 1tb world Edition II' advertises
> gigabit throughput but I see many reviews that report way less in
> practice.  In fact it started to look like that particular one is way
> below its advertised capability.  I ran across many complaints about
> dreadfully low write speads.  Also apparently has some sorry thing
> called Mionet for (secure) remote access.
> 
> I'm thinking of doing something like a semi-minimal regular (not
> embedded) install on a P4 I have with asus P4C800 mobo and some 2 gigs
> ram.  Maybe add an extra sata controller (the mobo has one) so I can
> put up to 6 or so sata disks on it along with one small IDE disk for
> the OS (just to head of any problems related to installing on sata)
> 
> Maybe start with 2 500 sata disks and build up as I need it.  Or more
> likely `if I need it'... I kind of doubt I'd need more than 4 anytime
> soon so maybe wait on the controller part too.
> 
> I guess I'd connect to it mostly thru samba/cifs for windows XP
> machines that have lots of biggish graphics and video type stuff to
> backup/store.  And nfs for my main gentoo desktop.
> 
> I wondered what the downsides are compared to a medium range
> storebought rig?
> 
> A few I can think of are space and noise.. but having never been
> around our run a nas setup... I'm not sure if that is really true.
> 
> Anyway, a few thoughts on what I might be running into doing it myself,
> or missing compared to storebought.  Maybe maintenance
> considerations.. or whatever, wodld be welcome.

I know its a little OT, but I have to mention ZFS. It'll mean running 
Solaris or FreeBSD in order to get the best out of it, but it's worth it.

I changed my fileserver from a gentoo box with software raid and lvm 
over to ZFS on OpenSolaris and I haven't looked back. Gentoo is still my 
main OS but I think you just can't beat ZFS for a filer.

Just check it out and see what you think.

-- 
Matt Harrison

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