High end computer / storage advise.

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Rapitiss
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High end computer / storage advise.

Post by Rapitiss »

I need to upgrade my groups (3-8 users) file server.

Currently we're using a 5 yr old re-purposed HP workstation running linux. We put 6x4 TB disks for a total of 20TB of storage.

I'd like to expand to 40-80 TB but that's pushing into the "enterprise" level.

The IT guys suggested a $40K HP blade server which while nice is way over priced.

My home grown solution had twice the raw storage for half his price.

Currently I'm leaning towards a server motherboard that can I can run two quad core CPU's - 32-64 GB ram and put the rest of my budget into drives.
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oh hey, i logged pretty quick after raids

if you want to keep chatting about this add me on skype or something (asiegman on skype)
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Theoso
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Post by Theoso »

I use one of these for my home lab:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6816101677

I've used supermicro stuff for a while and it's been really good for me. It's even ESXi certified ~.

If you don't need to replace your server (and even if you do), and if you need a lot of storage, especially if you want more than 40TB, you'll need to get an external disk enclosure. If all you need is file storage, and you don't need to run busy databases or email servers, the best bang for the buck is an iSCSI SATA cabinet.

Something like this: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6816102157 , with 16 3TB or 4TB hard drives would get you 39TB or 52TB of RAID6 storage with a hot spare. 3TB drives can be had for under $150, so the total for 39TB of storage would be around 5k. I've used the Promise Vtrak arrays in a few places with no issues at all.
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Rapitiss
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Post by Rapitiss »

I found this: http://www.thinkmate.com/system/stx-xe24-2460

If I get the bare bone system with just os drive its around $5000. Buy up 24 x 4 TB drives ~$200/ea and I could get the whole thing for around $10k which is my target budget.

I'm still figuring the parts list from newegg for a 100% build up the machine.

If anyone has any advise for 20x drive systems, especially raid config and sata/raid controllers that's where I'm weakest.

I've done a 6x4TB raid 5. All software on $200 drives and its been solid for 2-3 years now. Still have the spares drives for when they start to fail.
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Alsmack
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Post by Alsmack »

If you're looking at consumer grade drives, be sure to check this out:

http://arstechnica.com/information-tech ... are-equal/
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