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Low cost NAS build?

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Fulmar   01-05-2007 at 05:47:25 PM

At the moment, I have a 450mhz P3 Dell Optiplex computer lying around. It's been tried and true, and until 6 months ago it served as my Linux Firewall computer (IpCop) until I acquired a microATX Aptiva which was half the size and a little faster (easier to store under my desk).

Since my new computer build is a month away, I'd like to expand my back up storage for my computer. It's been about 18 months since I did a mass back up and I have a lot of programs, school projects, graphic design projects, photos, music etc... I'd like to back up. I always make backups on DVDs or CDs (if its really important I have 2-3 copies).

I've looked at some Linux NAS software (freeware) that may fit the bill. Currently I have 1 SATA and 1 IDE HD in my computer. When I rebuild this system next month, I'd like to rid myself of the IDE drive (80gb) and focus on SATA drives. I also have an extra 40 and 20gb lying around.

My question is:
- Will the p3 450mhz (128mb RAM) serve as a fast enough system for the NAS? I won't be accessing files daily or retrieving copies frequently (maybe once a week). I plan on having it sit in my closet locked away.

- Raid? I'm not worried about the Raid 1 mirroring because I have backups on DVD and my computer. Will Raid 0 enhance the disk read time enough to see a difference? Or is my 100mb Network going to be the limiting factor and Raid is redundant?

Since I don't want to spend money on more Hard drives (even though they are cheap) and I like to make use of outdated computers and I love hearing the words "Why the F$#@ do we need another computer?" from my fiancee, my goal is essentially more storage for free that doesn't take up more room in my DVD/CD Binder, in my tower, near my desk.

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PCcashCow   01-05-2007 at 07:30:37 PM
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Sure, a P3 will make a decent NAS. When I built my first test NAS just to see if i could do it (& practice my Linux skills)I used a Pentium 133 with some old tin can 4 gig SCSI drives. I had to admit that the thing was speedy for it's limitations.

For your application, you would just need to match up your drive a little better . In theory you NIC will be your bottle neck, but you can team or bind two add on nics for I\0 instructions. Which flavor of NAS app were you thinking of using? FYI, what ever you build, you'll probably build again 5 different ways, so try all available Raid configs.

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lcdguy   01-05-2007 at 07:59:37 PM
- 0 +

for raid i would only recommend raid 1 with that configuration raid 5 would likely take to long to initialize and rebuild should one of the drives fail. By long it could take days.

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Fulmar   01-05-2007 at 08:06:19 PM
- 0 +

Quote :

Sure, a P3 will make a decent NAS. When I built my first test NAS just to see if i could do it (& practice my Linux skills)I used a Pentium 133 with some old tin can 4 gig SCSI drives. I had to admit that the thing was speedy for it's limitations.

For your application, you would just need to match up your drive a little better . In theory you NIC will be your bottle neck, but you can team or bind two add on nics for I\0 instructions. Which flavor of NAS app were you thinking of using? FYI, what ever you build, you'll probably build again 5 different ways, so try all available Raid configs.



That's interesting, never would have thought about multiple nics for I/O. I briefly looked at one free NAS app, but nothing near in detail. Suggestions?

This first build will most likely be a test project, like you said, make sure you can get it to work. Plus my linux skills are atrocious. I'll probably have to stick with a 100Mbps network design because I'd have to replace hardware, nics and replace my d-link router (which acts as a switch, but it was the cheapest option to wireless connectivity for my fiancee's laptop) because they're 100Mbps.

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lcdguy   01-05-2007 at 08:11:56 PM
- 0 +

you could take a look at the following linux based nas OS's

freenas
openfiler

freenas is a breeze to setup as long as your hardware is supported by freebsd.

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