DeathLace Posted June 2, 2015 Share Posted June 2, 2015 Hi, I didn't know where to put this, as it could be hardware or software I'm guessing? Anyways, I am converting my old desktop to a NAS, and have received all the parts I need with the new case/motherboard/etc. I'm reusing the RAM/CPU/HDDs that I currently have. Anyways, I have 3 HDDs: 1. 500GB (completed wiped, was my Windows installation and Programs) 2. 1TB (about 50% full [some TV Shows, Photos, Important Documents]) 3. 3GB (about 40% full [Movies]) Currently they aren't in any RAID format at all, as they were all considered separate drives before. The case I have allows me to add more HDDs in the future (http://www.silverstonetek.com/product.php?pid=452). I'm looking to set this up as a RAID, to help if any HDD fails at any point, and I would like to also make it so I can expand the space in the future when I get more HDDs. I'm going to be installing FreeNAS on it, as I will also be installing Plex, and a VPN on it as well (both I know how to do). I'm just looking for help on setting up the RAID, and if it's possible to do it without wiping all my remaining data. Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
c.grz Posted June 2, 2015 Share Posted June 2, 2015 Someone correct me if I'm wrong but if you were to configure those three drives in RAID; you'd be limited to the smallest drive. So you'd only be able to use 500GB on each drive for a whooping 1TB of storage using RAID 5. When setting up RAID; it's better to use identical drives unless you want to configure JBOD but that's not RAID. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Noir Angel Posted June 2, 2015 Share Posted June 2, 2015 You could use JBOD, or create a spanned volume within Windows, but you can't do it without destroying the data on the drives, you'd have to back it up first. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DeathLace Posted June 2, 2015 Author Share Posted June 2, 2015 Damn, that's unfortunate. I guess there's no other solution, from what I can see with JBOD, if one drive fails, the whole system gets messed then? Not really ideal for me, because then I'd lose everything. Maybe i'll just continue to keep them all separate. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TPreston Posted June 2, 2015 Share Posted June 2, 2015 Damn, that's unfortunate. I guess there's no other solution, from what I can see with JBOD, if one drive fails, the whole system gets messed then? Not really ideal for me, because then I'd lose everything. Maybe i'll just continue to keep them all separate.If I were you id get a RAID card like a P410 and 3 more 3TB drives and do RAID 6 this gives you the option to scale all the way up to a MSA60 with 12x3TB 36TB if needs be Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+BudMan MVC Posted June 2, 2015 MVC Share Posted June 2, 2015 you know you can just use a windows OS and run stablebit drivepool - allows you to create a pool of your disks different sizes. Don't have to wipe them to add them to the pool, etc.. etc.. etc... Can add as many disks as your system can see, they don't even all have to be sata, you could have some usb disks in your pool, etc.. Best thing since sliced bread for storage needs in a home setup. Can have files or folders set to be on more than 1 disk in the pool for safety in case a disk fails. If the disk fails you would only ever loose what is on that disk. You can take the disk out of the pool and connect to any system that reads ntfs and access your files. Buy the combo with the scanner and its a win win! https://stablebit.com/DrivePool Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
philcruicks Posted June 3, 2015 Share Posted June 3, 2015 Yeh no way to do it in RAID, you'll be limited to the smallest drive and have to wipe them, so either upgrade to all 3TB and then RAID (moving the data on the 3TB off to the 1 and 500GB + USB's etc while you config. Or look as software options either like DrivePool or if you have access to Windows Server 2012 and can cope with running that with Plex installed rather than FreeNAS then you can use storage spaces. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DeathLace Posted June 3, 2015 Author Share Posted June 3, 2015 Thank you for the additional information BudMan and philcruicks... I was looking forward to your response BudMan, you know a ton about this stuff. I build the NAS last night, and I'm ready to go, but now I don't think I'm going to use FreeNAS anymore. I'm basically looking for 3 things from the OS: Store Files Plex VPN I was looking at OpenMediaVault, but would a Windows Server version be better? It will be running 24/7, and doing nothing else. It currently is running an i7 with 8GB of RAM (max the motherboard could support). I can use any other "NAS OS" if you guys know of any other that would fit my needs better. I'm really liking the StableBit software, but if a NAS OS can do the same thing, then I can use that. An additional question... the motherboard is ZOTAC H55-ITX-C-E WIFI. It currently has a Mini PCI E slot on it, taken up by the Wifi card, however I don't have any use for the wireless (I didn't even hook it up last night). Is it possible to install a SSD into it, basically just to install adn run the OS off of so I don't have to waste a full HD for it? Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
philcruicks Posted June 3, 2015 Share Posted June 3, 2015 Should be fine, though I've not looked into these types of drives that much. Samsung generally does very good SSD's so take a look at the Evo 850 range (you don't need a 850 Pro unless you needs crazy performance). mSATA is the connection your looking for. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mindovermaster Posted June 3, 2015 Share Posted June 3, 2015 I doubt he has a mSATA port on his motherboard, though... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+BudMan MVC Posted June 3, 2015 MVC Share Posted June 3, 2015 I have never seen any nas OS has the features that drivepool has.. Especially with how simple the software is to use.. As to your vpn, that really should be run on your router dude - really.. running vpn behind your edge device is pita. If your router does not support vpn.. Why not just turn this box into a esxi box - its seems WAY over powered for a nas.. Then run your router in vm, your nas in another vm.. And if you want plex or something that could be in another vm.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DeathLace Posted June 3, 2015 Author Share Posted June 3, 2015 BudMan: I agree it's WAY over powered for a NAS, I just had the CPU and RAM already, so I just got the motherboard/case to build it instead of buying everything brand new. No point in wasting it. Mindovermaster: You're correct, it's not mSATA, it's Mini PCI Express... you can see it in the pictuers here http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813500056 philcruicks: Is this what I should be getting: http://www.samsung.com/global/business/semiconductor/minisite/SSD/global/html/ssd850evo/overview_mSATA.html ? Thanks again for everyone's help Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+BudMan MVC Posted June 3, 2015 MVC Share Posted June 3, 2015 So there you go turn into a esxi box and your cooking with gas My esxi box that runs 6 vms 24/7/365 and still has available horse power is 8GB of ram on atom (hp n40l) Add a nic or 2 and that box will be a fine esxi host that could run your router ( I would suggest pfsense) that can do your vpn. Your fav windows OS with drivepool for a great nas and then plex on whatever os you want to run it on. Use a SSD for your esxi and datastore.. then you have all 3 of your disks for pool storage. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DeathLace Posted June 3, 2015 Author Share Posted June 3, 2015 Guess it's time I start to research esxi Thanks again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
philcruicks Posted June 4, 2015 Share Posted June 4, 2015 OK so I might be a little correct and a little wrong. Mini PCI-E and mSATA are exactly the same connection, i.e. you can plug one into the other, but that doesn't necessarily mean it'll work. So maybe contact Zotac and see if the Mini PCI-E port also supports mSATA. But yes if it support mSATA that Samsung link is the type you want. From the Mini PCI-E wiki page Despite sharing the Mini PCI Express form factor, an mSATA slot is not necessarily electrically compatible with Mini PCI Express. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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