Hey guys,
first post, so I'm going to make it a doozie! Hoping this is in the right section!
I'm looking into building an ESXi rig, and create a virtual storage server. Reason I'm looking into ESXi, is because I think it would mesh well and provide some nice flexibility, as well as just be a fun project. My current "server" is sort of a mess. I installed a GPU/sound card and so it now also functions as my HTPC. I'm currently running Ubuntu 11.10, and I'm using mdadm to create a 4TB software RAID5 using 5 - 1TB drives. I'm also running a couple headless VMs from this machine as well, which is what initially attracted me towards ESXi.
Not sure if this is important or not, but I'm using samba currently to share my data throughout my network. My goal is to use my main gaming rig to function as my new HTPC, and stream movies and TV shows from the new machine I'm building.
Due to the decreasing price of 1TB hard drives, I thought it would be a good idea to move to a dedicated server only setup, and utilize many 1TB drives, that way I would be able to simply expand my array and keep going. I understand if I get a RAID controller, and decide to use hardware RAID, then I will need to rebuild the array.
I currently have this motherboard and this CPU
I'm looking into buying a Norco 4224.
Here is where I am stuck. I know in order to access all 24 drive bays I will need to buy a controller of some sort.
One of my friends suggested I buy this motherboard and then purchase an SAS expander. The motherboard has a built in SAS controller and he told me that SAS expansion cards are much cheaper than a RAID controller. The overall idea here was to save money. Though I'm a little hesitant to purchase a new motherboard simply to use its onboard SAS controller.
Basically, I am just looking for a cost efficient way to gain access to all 24 drive bays. Speed isn't really a concern of mine, the disks will primarily just be used for storage and streaming HD content throughout my house. That's pretty much the only requirement.
I haven't decided on hardware or software raid either, each has their ups and downs in comparison to cost vs performance. The main reason I went with software RAID initially was due to cost (FREE!!!), but if I need to buy a RAID controller to gain access to the additional drives. Wouldn't it then make sense to use the hardware RAID built into the card???
Any advice on setup, configuration options, or even flat out opinions on how everything sounds, would be greatly appreciated. Don't hold back!!!
Thanks!!!
first post, so I'm going to make it a doozie! Hoping this is in the right section!
I'm looking into building an ESXi rig, and create a virtual storage server. Reason I'm looking into ESXi, is because I think it would mesh well and provide some nice flexibility, as well as just be a fun project. My current "server" is sort of a mess. I installed a GPU/sound card and so it now also functions as my HTPC. I'm currently running Ubuntu 11.10, and I'm using mdadm to create a 4TB software RAID5 using 5 - 1TB drives. I'm also running a couple headless VMs from this machine as well, which is what initially attracted me towards ESXi.
Not sure if this is important or not, but I'm using samba currently to share my data throughout my network. My goal is to use my main gaming rig to function as my new HTPC, and stream movies and TV shows from the new machine I'm building.
Due to the decreasing price of 1TB hard drives, I thought it would be a good idea to move to a dedicated server only setup, and utilize many 1TB drives, that way I would be able to simply expand my array and keep going. I understand if I get a RAID controller, and decide to use hardware RAID, then I will need to rebuild the array.
I currently have this motherboard and this CPU
I'm looking into buying a Norco 4224.
Here is where I am stuck. I know in order to access all 24 drive bays I will need to buy a controller of some sort.
One of my friends suggested I buy this motherboard and then purchase an SAS expander. The motherboard has a built in SAS controller and he told me that SAS expansion cards are much cheaper than a RAID controller. The overall idea here was to save money. Though I'm a little hesitant to purchase a new motherboard simply to use its onboard SAS controller.
Basically, I am just looking for a cost efficient way to gain access to all 24 drive bays. Speed isn't really a concern of mine, the disks will primarily just be used for storage and streaming HD content throughout my house. That's pretty much the only requirement.
I haven't decided on hardware or software raid either, each has their ups and downs in comparison to cost vs performance. The main reason I went with software RAID initially was due to cost (FREE!!!), but if I need to buy a RAID controller to gain access to the additional drives. Wouldn't it then make sense to use the hardware RAID built into the card???
Any advice on setup, configuration options, or even flat out opinions on how everything sounds, would be greatly appreciated. Don't hold back!!!
Thanks!!!