Virtualized NAS question

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weust

Active Member
Aug 15, 2014
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My current NAS (DS209) needs replacement and I have been toying with virtualizing my home servers.
It's not a short term project, so I am trying to figure things out before I start buying and building, etc.

One of the things would be to build my own NAS. But not a pure hardware one.
What I am thinking off is building a ESXi host (booted from USB key and using a 2.5" storage disk) in a server with several disks.
Then, create a VM to be the NAS and pass through the physical disks to create the RAID for the NAS.

But is this a wise idea or not? Performance wise I understand it's based on the hardware, but it's home use. So if I get anywhere near Gbit speed it's alright for me for when I move my Blu-ray remux files (all from my personal Blu-rays). Which will be the biggest of files I would transfer across my LAN.

The main thing is whether it is wise at all to virtualize a NAS.
If not, I will by a newer model Synology and leave it at that. Which in a way I still find more wiser since a hobby build machine tends to die on me because I screw around with it.
Can't help myself there... Unless it's a appliance type installation. Then it's safe enough from me.

Anyway, I just hope anyone can share their thoughts on this matter.
 

weust

Active Member
Aug 15, 2014
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Tried to read it but need to take more time for it.
Looks like it's written by a Open Source developer. Those people lack the ability to write proper documentation ;-)

But good to know it can be done.
Was thinking about this Supermicro machine: Supermicro | Products | SuperServers | 1U | 5018A-MHN4
If it doesn't make too much noise that is.
 

weust

Active Member
Aug 15, 2014
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Do'h! Only looked on the forum for this. Not the site.
Will look at that too. Thanks!