So yes, I know this is yet another "I'm building a server thread", but I have some questions and opportunities for input from you seasoned pro's out there.
I am getting ready to build my first real file server. Currently I've got a 500Gb NAS which has been great, but it's slow on large file transfers and it's almost full. I've spec'd out a pretty basic system (on a bit of a budget) consisting of 2.0Ghz, 2Gb ram and gigabit NIC (which I'm assuming will be suitable). My questions are mainly aimed towards OS and RAID choices.
I'm fairly new to Linux, but my plan was to use Linux on this box. The majority of my Linux experience is with Ubuntu, and I've dabbled a little bit with Ubuntu Server. I tried installing Webmin in Ubuntu Server, but it gave me a bunch of errors about locating the Samba config. Are there any other "web based" management options for setting up shares and permissions that I could try. I just don't have a lot of experience with the purely server version, I've even contemplated using the regular desktop version, I'm sure that'd probably work too, but input is welcome.
On to the question of RAID. This server will be used primarily for music and video, so I'm mostly concerned with transfer times, and the capability of streaming large video files to other PC's. I've never worked with RAID, but I've been doing some research, and it looks like RAID 5 might be the best bet for some protection. As I'm on a bit of a budget I can't really afford those $300 RAID controllers. I was looking at this one, any comments? http://www.newegg.com/product/product.aspx?item=N82E16816115029
I have no idea how to actually configure the array, I'm still researching on that, but I wanted to ask if it's possible to add more drives in the future. I'm looking at 3x 500gb right now, and I know I'll loose a drive to the RAID 5 config, so I'll want to plan on adding more drives later. Assuming the drives are the same make/model/size, can I add to the array without loosing data on it?
Thanks for all your input, sorry for all the questions. Hopefully I've given enough info for some suggestions or criticism.
I am getting ready to build my first real file server. Currently I've got a 500Gb NAS which has been great, but it's slow on large file transfers and it's almost full. I've spec'd out a pretty basic system (on a bit of a budget) consisting of 2.0Ghz, 2Gb ram and gigabit NIC (which I'm assuming will be suitable). My questions are mainly aimed towards OS and RAID choices.
I'm fairly new to Linux, but my plan was to use Linux on this box. The majority of my Linux experience is with Ubuntu, and I've dabbled a little bit with Ubuntu Server. I tried installing Webmin in Ubuntu Server, but it gave me a bunch of errors about locating the Samba config. Are there any other "web based" management options for setting up shares and permissions that I could try. I just don't have a lot of experience with the purely server version, I've even contemplated using the regular desktop version, I'm sure that'd probably work too, but input is welcome.
On to the question of RAID. This server will be used primarily for music and video, so I'm mostly concerned with transfer times, and the capability of streaming large video files to other PC's. I've never worked with RAID, but I've been doing some research, and it looks like RAID 5 might be the best bet for some protection. As I'm on a bit of a budget I can't really afford those $300 RAID controllers. I was looking at this one, any comments? http://www.newegg.com/product/product.aspx?item=N82E16816115029
I have no idea how to actually configure the array, I'm still researching on that, but I wanted to ask if it's possible to add more drives in the future. I'm looking at 3x 500gb right now, and I know I'll loose a drive to the RAID 5 config, so I'll want to plan on adding more drives later. Assuming the drives are the same make/model/size, can I add to the array without loosing data on it?
Thanks for all your input, sorry for all the questions. Hopefully I've given enough info for some suggestions or criticism.