Guide To Building A Media Storage Server - Page 256

What's the difference between the Intel Xeon Quad and the Intel i5 quad.

Stepmback, what do you do with your server ?
Does cpu performance affect streaming ?

If you're streaming without any transcoding involved, the CPU choice won't have much of an impact. If transcoding is involved, then CPU choice will most likely make a big difference.

I am not a CPU expert but the key reason for choosing this chip was compatibility with mother board, the fact it had 4 cores and no built in graphics.

I have a Norco 2420 (20 bay) server with 12 drives currently in the server. I use flexraid for my software raid. I originally setup the box strictly as a file server, but as I started messing around with it, got hooked on having the ability to play my content on tablets, laptops and other devices. It was then that I realized that my CPU was not up to snuff for transcoding my blur ray rips. As a file server with no transcoding the server worked great with the i3.. zero issues. But if you want to transcode the files on the fly then CPU is important. I read a couple of articles and one thing they mention is having at least 4 cores, not two cores with HT, but 4 real cores. Again I am not a CPU expert but after installing my Xeon, I have no problem transcoding multiple files with Plex (PMS) at the same time.

This sounds like me exactly.

Same norco case.. Same situation.

But... I can transcode fine on my 3.0ghz G860 I paid $55 for...
Edited by Mfusick - 2/1/13 at 10:01am

many do not transcode... or change media resolutions on the fly...

As a media server only... any socket 1155 CPU is more than enough.

Isn't that essentially what I said? I don't believe shrikitiki2011 has indicated if he needs to transcode or not and THAT piece of information is important before anyone can make CPU recommendations for him.

Yeah I will need to be able to transcode.

So should I get a Xeon quad or a i5 quad.

Is there any need for a Raid controller card in my server ?

I have been using WHSv1 since 2008 but not really to its full potential.

-Storing music, ripped DVD's, and off loading recorded TV from HTPC.

-Image backup of 2 laptops and PC for photoshop and general use.

Laptops have died twice and I have not been able to recover data because it was confusing to hunt through the entire image for a few files. I have made some progress on this still it is a daunting task.

I did not read the guides on configuring WHS1 5 yrs ago but now I can't find them. Also the add on's seemed usless to me. I have subscribed to Assassian's guide on servers but it is all about WHS2011.

Plex Server seems usefull but I don't have the cpu power and it is not worth upgrading.
Backup of just the user documents and settings so they could be transfered to a new laptop when one dies would be nice.

Can anyone direct me to some old guides that are still around and might help me find better ways to use WHS to its full potential.

Thanks
Bob Howell

That is a loaded question on raid controller. Do you want some kind of fault tolerance? If so, the most popular option for home media servers in software raid. However some have chosen hardware. Depends on needs and what you are willing to spend. I have a SAS card and use flex raid for software raid. I like it.

Hey stepmback,

I do want fault tolerance and speed when I access my drives.
What do you use your SAS card since you have flexraid for fault tolerance.

Also what SAS card are you using.

I also had a question regarding access from outside the Local area.

If I was to download my torrents from another location, how would I be able to transfer the data. Is there a way for me to upload it directly to my server at home.
Would my upload be dependent on my home internet connection ?

The answer to this is yes. There are actually several ways to do this:

1. Setup a WebDAV server. You can do this on your main server to provide a web-interface to the outside world with something like BarracudaDrive (http://barracudadrive.com/FileServer.lsp), and a remote client like NetDrive (http://www.netdrive.net/index.html). It works fine for transferring files, but you won't be able to access files like you would on the LAN. This means you can copy back and forth, but you won't be able to play from the WebDAV server. Well... at least I wasn't able to make it go. The BarracudaDrive site has all the setup instructions. This is probably the easiest to setup, but has limitations. I didn't want limitations so I then tried...

2. Setup SMB over SSH. This is a little more secure, but pretty complex to setup. But once you set it up, it works pretty well. You can copy back and forth, map a share to a drive, and even play files from your remote server. I like this guide: http://www.alirezabagheri.com/blog/?p=67 One caveat, if you aren't very familiar with networking, some of this can be tough to follow.

3. Setup VPN access to your server. You can accomplish this in many different ways. Your router might have built in VPN access. If not, then you setup a VPN server (or install VPN software on an existing server/computer) and forward the appropriate ports you need. You can use OpenVPN, PPTP, IPSec, whatever. This is what I currently use as it's easier to get a remote machine setup to connect to my server, and offers the most convenience, since VPN puts you "inside" your LAN so to speak. You get to see your whole LAN, not just your server. This is also probably the most secure, as you can use certificates and very strong passwords. File copies are fine, playing videos are fine... this is the best way, but once again, it can take a bit of networking knowledge to setup properly.


And yes, your upload speed to your server at home is dictated by the "download" speed your home ISP allows.

I have an LSI 4 port SAS card. HBA something.. cant remember off top of my head. My box has 5 SAS connections on the backplane connected to the drives. This way I only have to run one cable to each backplane for the 4 drives on that backplane.

Even if you use software raid you will need a method of accessing your drives. Some people stick multiple 6-8 port sata cards in there box if they have lots of drives to connect. Some use a SAS card if their box is setup to accept.

n/a

very nice setup - would you be interested in building one of these units for me?

same here, love your setup

No one has much to say about WHSv1 so I guess I am going to have to stick with the limited setup I have or get WHS 2011.

Can you clarify your issue with recovering your data from dead laptops. I have been running WHSv1 for a while now and never had issues doing PC restores or digging through PC backups to get files.

I have worked out finding files somewhat. I am looking for guides to develope other uses for it. I have MYMOVIES on it but that is the only addon installed. I see little written about now.

My Movies stopped development of the WHSv1 app so unfortunately you won't find much there, and most of the new stuff they advertise doesn't apply to the older v1 app.I use my WHSv1 primarily for data storage, PC backups, and streaming media (I have about 36TB I think at this point).

I have given up on working out issues on another desktop I use for photo editing and surfing the net. Lots of personal junk on it but nothing really important but Outlook file. I have tried to get it to run long enough to run Win7 File transfer, so I can move everything ove to my new sys but nogo. But I have gotten a new MB and HDD and plan to upgrade to Win8. I can just leave the old HDD with all the date and settings or restore the Image and figure out how to get off what I can. I find it hit or miss to trackdown each file I need to save. Is there a systmized way described somewhere about how to gather this beyond just restore the backup and get what you need. I am seeing the need for prior planning. I realize organization is the long term answer but alast I am not. Maybe another backup program.

Bob

Assuming you have the backups on your WHSv1 you can simply open the backup via the WHS console, navigate through the folders, and pull out what you need. This is what I have done without issue. Otherwise, I have used the WHSv1 PC restore feature many times to restore a PC with full files in tact without issue (of course this would be for a restore and not if you were looking to install a new OS)

I'm getting prepared for my first build of a media server. I got the ark-4u-500 as my case which supports both micro-ATX and ATX and am wondering which type of motherboard to go with. This will also be my first PC build so if one will lead to an easier/neater build, I'd probably prefer to go that route. Any suggestions on which way to go?

Thanks.

As a follow-up to my previous post I pulled together some parts for my build. Please let me know what you think. Some specific questions if I should go up to 8GB of RAM for an extra $15 and if I'm better off with the Sandy Bridge or Ivy Bridge Pentium processor. Thanks.

Case Ark-4u-500a
Motherboard ASRock H77 Pro4/MVP
CPU Ivy Bridge Pentium G2120, Ivy Bridge Pent G2020 or Sandy Bridge Pent. G860
RAM G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 
SSD (OS) Intel 330 Series Maple Crest (60GB)
Internal HD WD Caviar Green 3TB x3 for now
Power Supply SeaSonic M12II 650 SS-650AM 650W ATX12V (modular)
Fans Nexus BASIC D12SL-12 120mm Case cooler and Nexus SP802512L-03 80mm Case cooler
Other Intel NIC Card

All in this would run me just under $1k with cables.

updates to my server/office setup

small update:

white box which is my untangle box got upgraded last night

old:
p4 2.8 with 1.5gig ddr1
40gig hd
2nd gig nic

new:
core 2 duo 2.4
2gig ddr2
40gig hd
2nd gig nic

Seems to run things a lot better now.

I might be getting a i5 build later today not sure yet. I am currently at work

For people interested in any follow-up to this build check out this thread.

Looks good !

So what is the currently recommended mobo for norco builds (with the SAS backplane)? I know the supermicro was the recommended one for a while. Thanks.

I used an Asrock Z77 consumer board with 8 Sata ports and IBM M1015 Sata cards...


Look at those beautiful beasts ^








http://www.avsforum.com/t/1438027/planning-to-rebuild-my-20tb-whs-flexraid-server-information-requested/700_100#post_23171224


There is a link to the whole thing.