My first server build: ThinkServer TS440 or PowerEdge T20

[LeeMan]

I'm about to build my dream seedbox/home media server. The server will hosted off-site around 3-4hrs away due to local internet speeds and data caps. So I will need a very capable motherboard for remote management.

I plan on having at least 20TB (x4 5TB) to start off with but future expansion is very important (DAS, etc). I'm thinking of going the RAID 6 route which I'd also need some suggestions on what RAID card I would need.

Having a setup where I just simply add more drives are very important. Also keep in mind that electricity is a factor. There won't be a lot of strain as it is basically just hosting data, but I'd like to keep it as energy efficient as possible.

These are the three different servers I plan to start with, unless there are better options. Being quite is also a factor, though not a very important one as it will be hosted in a spare bedroom that is primarily used as a storage room.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/321809217001?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT

http://www.ebay.com/itm/262099499663?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT

(Lower processing power but I would take it if the power consumption is significant.)
http://www.ebay.com/itm/161792725697?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT

These are the planned drives of purchase. Simply for the reason that I get an employee discount on them and my store carries them so exchanges would be very easy and simple. Plus they have a 3yr warranty with a choice of extended warranty which is also very cheap with employee discount.

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/toshiba...=4538025&productCategoryId=pcmcat270900050001

 

[LeeMan]

So, would I still buy say a HP SAS expander going into a IBM M1015 or M5015 and just have it pass-through? I need an external SAS for a future DAS and the HP SAS expander provides one.

I think the Lenovo TS440 offers the most future proofing for me because of all the bays and decent processing power. Now just to figure out the OS and what RAID card I should get.

 

[Marsh]

If you want 20TB with Raid 6 , you'll need to more than 4 disk x 5 TB drives.
At the time of purchase , make sure the TS440 has ( 2 x 4 ) eight hot-swap 3.5 bays. with proper backplane.
Buying the extra ( 1 x 4 disks) backplane new or on Ebay is very costly.

 

[LeeMan]

If you want 20TB with Raid 6 , you'll need to more than 4 disk x 5 TB drives.
At the time of purchase , make sure the TS440 has ( 2 x 4 ) eight hot-swap 3.5 bays. with proper backplane.
Buying the extra ( 1 x 4 disks) backplane new or on Ebay is very costly.

I think going ZFS would be my best choose as I could just add more drives and not have to do another RAID pool.

What would be the best choice on controller card though? I need an external SAS for future DAS.