Platinums home server project

Platinum · 26-03-2013, 08:16 PM

So I thought I should start a little thread to document my new build for people who are into that kind of thing.

Basialy its a upgrade to my small server project I bodged together a while back to give me a fully featured home server / lab machine.

The old machine was my old media pc based around a Core i7 2600k CPU and 4gb memory, storage was my old Readynas box with 4x 2tb drives.

My plan is to turn that machine into a full on home server, why well because I can and also because it offers a lot more flexability and gives me a better platform for learning.

Its pretty much a new build, the only things I a keeping from that box is the CPU and the SSD.

The new box will have the following hardware :

Fractal Design 304 Chassis
Asus P8H77-I motherboard
16gb (2x8gb) Kingston Kyper X 1600MHz CL10 1.35v memory
Core i7 2600k
Antec Earthwatts 450w Platinum rated PSU
4x 2tb Western Digital Red Hard drives
64gb Crucial M4 SSD

Looks a odd combination for a server right? well there is reasoning there, the case, well I wanted to stick with a SFF (Small form factor Kris) case, and looking around the Fractal design node picked it self (you will see why when I put pics of the build up), the motherboard was selected because its the only ITS board I could find with 6 SATA ports, I could use a PCI-E slot but I want to keep that single PCI-E slot free for a dual port NIC.
Memory is overkill but oddly it was cheaper at the time that standard Kingston ValueRam, and being 1.35v it will cut a few watts from the power draw.
The PSU, well anyone who knows me knows that I dont skimp on the PSU, its the most importent part of any PC alongside the monitor so a Platinum rated one seemed sensible seeing as the machine will be on 24/7.
Hard drives selected because WD rated them to run 24/7.

Software wise I plan to install Server 2012 as the base OS, have it set up for file sharing to start and then add roles as and when I see fit.
Ill be using Hyper V on top of that for anything I want to test / want to have a play with relating to my work development.

Most of the parts have arrived, just waiting on the Chassis and Heatsink from Scan which should be arriving tomorrow, I have the week off next week so ill get it built probably over the weekend and the software on soon after, then next week I can have a play around with Server 2012 and no doubt break things

Well there it is so far, I plan to add some pics when I build it, yea you have all seen PC's in bits but I think this one is a little unique given the form factor and the fact its not going to be a gaming PC.

Hopefully this thread will prove mildly interesting and not end up in the depths of the forum with no replys

Platinum · 26-03-2013, 08:18 PM

Also if anyone is interested, once I have removed the CPU and SSD from the current box I plan to get a lower end Intel chip that has a GPU suitable for media duty's and put it back under the TV.
A side project with that that I plan to do is have it not only handle media duty's but also act as a mini test SAN set up most likely using Starwind.

Platinum · 26-03-2013, 08:30 PM

Pic of new kit that's arrived so far.

Gunner002 · 26-03-2013, 09:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Plat

SFF (Small form factor Kris)

I lol'd, love the choice of case. Nice to see WD reds in a home server build, all it needs now is a RAID setup and 10gbps fiber home network.

alsenior · 26-03-2013, 09:18 PM

if you want to pull some "linux" ISO's off my file server at the lan your more than welcome bring a GIGe Switch. i dont have mine anymore.

azrael316 · 26-03-2013, 09:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gunner002

10gbps fiber home network.

Lol.. Not anytime soon for the Exchange Plat is on.

Platinum · 26-03-2013, 09:44 PM

Yea no worrys mate, I have a little 5 port switch here and 2 Nics in my PC so I could have a dedicated lan gaming nic and a dedicated leech Al's "isos' link, and if anyone else wants to there would be 3 spare ports

Im assuming the server will be on the standard lan as well?

Remind me before the lan and ill bring it

Platinum · 26-03-2013, 09:47 PM

For anyone to lazy to Google it, this is the chassis thats arriving tomorrow :

http://www.fractal-design.com/?view=product&prod=94

Check some of the reviews and you will see its clearly the best one for the job and epic at making use of all the available space

alsenior · 26-03-2013, 09:50 PM

I may have a new one before the LAN anyway it was just my 24 port dell was noise and drunk power like plat drinks booze im just looking for a nice managed gige switch. my paln is to have people lash up servers on a seperate switch and then have a lag from to this switch to the rest of the lan. this is to try limit the amount of data going over the main switches.

alsenior · 26-03-2013, 09:53 PM

the node 304 is a sexy case for a home nas. if supermicro or tyan made a itx socket 1155 board i would be all over it.

**Beanz** · 26-03-2013, 10:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gunner002

10gbps fiber home network.

Quote:

Originally Posted by azrael316

Lol.. Not anytime soon for the Exchange Plat is on.

Why would Plat's home network rely on his exchange?

finlay666 · 26-03-2013, 10:23 PM

Are you able to bring this to the lan? Really want to see a node case in person as I'm tempted to get one for a similar project

Platinum · 26-03-2013, 10:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alsenior

the node 304 is a sexy case for a home nas. if supermicro or tyan made a itx socket 1155 board i would be all over it.

Yea the Asus board I bought should be fine, 6 onboard SATA ports and I plan to stick a dual port Intel Nic in the PCI-E slot.

alsenior · 26-03-2013, 11:10 PM

i would have a pci-e controller card in that slot so i would need 2 ports on board. actually come to think of it i think intel do a board with 2 nics onboard. hmmm.