[Gabriel's Build Plan] A Photographer's UnRAID Server


GabrielB

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I am running out of space and I have no dependable backups of my photos.  I have a couple of external drives but they don't give me a warm and fuzzy feeling as a RAID or UnRAID setup.  It's time for me to build an affordable solution.

 

My planned data backup workflow after a photoshoot is this:

- Upload the raw photos via Lightroom into my work PC and a copy to the UnRAID Server (URS)

- Once editing is over, I will migrate the edited photo set with LR db, and also delete the initial unedited raw photos overtime (i.e. replace the unedited raw photo set with the edited photo set).

- Use CrashPlan to backup URS and work PC

 

I looked at the Recommended Builds, Prototype Builds, and a few forum discussions about the hardware selections.  What I came up with is a hybrid somewhere between a Budget and Beast build.  I want to be able to backup all my photos, other important files, and also stream video from my URS.

 

I chose the hardware based on forum postings but I don't think I’ve seen anyone having all the hardware together in this configuration.  Here's what I came up with:

 

OS at time of building: unRAID Server Version 4.7  AiO

 

CPU:  http://www.amazon.com/AMD-Athlon-3-0GHz-Dual-Core-Processor/dp/B003Z4PB3O

AMD Athlon II X2 250 Regor 3.0GHz 2 x 1 MB L2 Cache Socket AM3 65W Dual-Core

 

Motherboard: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?item=N82E16813153201

JetWay JHZ03-GT-V2-LF AM3 AMD 880G HDMI Micro ATX AMD Motherboard

 

RAM: http://www.amazon.com/Kingston-ValueRAM-PC3-10600-KVR1333D3N9-2G/dp/B0019MI1CW/

Kingston ValueRAM 2 GB 1333MHz PC3-10600 DDR3 DIMM Desktop Memory KVR1333D3N9/2G

 

Case: http://www.amazon.com/AZZA-Helios-CSAZ-910-Mid-Tower-Black/dp/B002RS4HVQ

AZZA Helios 910 CSAZ-910 Mid-Tower Case (Black)

 

Drive Cage(s):  http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?item=N82E16816133030

NORCO SS-500 5 Bay SATA / SAS Hot Swap Rack Module

 

Power Supply: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?item=N82E16817139027

CORSAIR Builder Series CX500 V2 500W ATX12V v2.3 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Power Supply

 

SATA Expansion Card(s): None planned due to use of 3 2TB drives for now.

Cables: I’m not sure what I need here...

Fans: I’m not sure if I need to add/upgrade/change fans.

 

USB Flash Drive: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?item=N82E16820235065

Verbatim Clip-it 4GB USB 2.0 Flash Drive (Blue) Model 97550

 

Parity Drive: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?item=N82E16822148681

Seagate Barracuda Green ST2000DL003 2TB 5900 RPM 64MB Cache SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive

 

Data Drive 1: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?item=N82E16822145475

HITACHI Deskstar 5K3000 HDS5C3020ALA632 (0F12117) 2TB 32MB Cache SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive

 

Data Drive 2: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?item=N82E16822136514

Western Digital Caviar Green WD20EARS 2TB 64MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive

 

Cache Drive: None at this time

Total Drive Capacity: 5 but expandable to 15 (by buying 2 more drive cages)

 

Primary Use: Backup all my photos, other important files, and also stream video sometimes

Add On Projects Planned: SmartHistory, SNAP, FEMUR, UnMENU, UnTorrent

Add On Scripts Planned: Monthly parity check, Email Notifications, Directory Caching

Future Plans:  Buy more hard drives when needed

 

Things I need to keep in mind or do:

- Figure out which SATA cables I need.  This post, http://lime-technology.com/forum/index.php?topic=12479.msg118588#msg118588, says locking SATA cables aren’t recommended for the Norco SS-500 cage.

- Figure out if I need to add/upgrade/change fans

- Configure UnRAID (http://lime-technology.com/wiki/index.php?title=Configuration_Tutorial)

- CrashPlan (http://lime-technology.com/forum/index.php?topic=4008.0)

- AddOn Install (http://www.lime-technology.com/wiki/index.php?title=UnRAID_Add_Ons)

- Temperature Based Fan Control?  Not sure if the Mobo will support it. (link1, link2) Answer: No. No PWM Fan support (Mobo Spec)

- Purchase drives separately (different vendor/brand)

 

What do you think about this setup?  Does it look like it will it work?  What are the potential issues?  Please let me know!  :)

 

[update] Raj's reply: http://lime-technology.com/forum/index.php?topic=11178.msg126125#msg126125

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Additional/Helpful Info:

 

 

Install Videos (Watch these videos so you'll know what you're getting into!)

Revision3 Video

Category5 Video

 

Read Here First!

 

Anti Static Gloves/Wrist Band?

 

Azza Helio 910

Review and Pictures

Product Website and Manual

Azza Helios 910 Raj Review

Wiring setup

 - Tabs to be flattened can be seen here at the

and

    - Can be flattened out using a C-Clamp as suggested

 -

Update [Hands on experience]:  Nice case, I had to cut two horizontal plastic bar in the front plastic cover.  I couldn't put the front cover on properly because the horizontal plastic bar was hitting the Norco Module (installed on the bottom).  A 5 inch deep C-Clamp is a MUST to bend the tabs.  DO NOT BEND ALL THE TABS...just the tabs that get in the way when sliding the Norco Module in.

 

CPU Install

 

Motherboard Install

 

CORSAIR Builder Series CX500 V2 500W ATX12V v2.3 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Power Supply

Product Website

http://www.corsair.com/blog/Testing-your-corsair-power-supply

Install it up or down?

Power Supply Calculator

 

NORCO SS-500

Product Website and Wiring Lables

Buy these scccccrrrreeewwwwsss!!!! (source)

Update [Hands on experience]: Important: Make sure the SATA plugs for the module is thin.  The two SATA cables that came with the MB was thin enough to plug into Slot A and B.  I took a SATA cable from my other PC (I couldn't wait to purchase at monoprice) and the SATA plug was too thick when using it as part of a pair.  Lucky, I only have 3 drives...so I used the thick SATA plug on Slot C.

 

Western Digital Caviar Green WD20EARS

WD20EARS drive setup

Advanced Format Drives

I'll be using the current version (4.7), so basically: "If you are installing a new WD20EARS drive, and you are running version 4.6.1/5.0-beta3 [or newer], do not install the jumper."

 

SATA 2 vs SATA 3

 

Flash Drive Preparation

http://lime-technology.com/wiki/index.php?title=USB_Flash_Drive_Preparation

USB Flash Drive Prep

 

Bios Setup

How do I configure the BIOS settings to allow booting from the USB flash drive?

 

Pre Boot (link)

preclear_disk.sh install

unMenu Install/Setup

 

Preclear

Read this before preclearing

How To preclear your hard drives for use in your unRAID servers

Obtain preclear_results.txt

 

Backup Flash Drive

http://lime-technology.com/forum/index.php?topic=7127.0

 

Power Down (from HowTos)

Info

How to Shutdown unRAID at a Certain Time Every Day

 

Other:

- After preclearing (takes a very long time; ~24hrs), assign the data and parity drives (takes a long time; ~8hrs), then format (takes time; ~5mins)!

- If you don't format your drives, any attempt to create shares will FAIL!  After pressing apply, you will not see a new share entry.

- Add Monthly parity check script

- Use Shift+RightClick to paste into Midnight Commander via Putty

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I bought the items today.  I'll be here in less than a week!

 

With my build, here are potential issues:

 

http://lime-technology.com/forum/index.php?topic=12803.msg121537#msg121537

Azza Helio 910 Top fan might rattle...solution: try reinstalling

Norco SS-500 stock fan might be loud...solution: replace it (Possibly the Noctua 80mm fan)

Update [Hands on experience]:  Right now, I have my UNRAID on top of my desk; being memtested.  The Norco fan the loudest of all the fans in my stock setup.  Replacement is very necessary.

 

Norco SS-500 screw issue might be too long...solution: use shorter screws or add a washer

Update [Hands on experience]:  The screws that is packaged with Norco Module is for the hard drives, they are short.  These screws can be used for mounting the Norco Module but it isn't enough to for both.  I tried using the shortest screw from the AZZA case to mount the Norco Module, no freaking bueno!  If install the freaking hard drives before you mount the Module, you're gonna go nuts trying to take out the hard drives from the module.  What I ended up doing is using the shortest AZZA screws but I didn't tighten them all the way, only enough before the screws hit the outer drives (Slot A and E).

 

Sounds like Directory Caching is slow with a 2gb of RAM...

 

If there are USB_Boot_Issues, check here.

 

Other:

http://lime-technology.com/forum/index.php?topic=7998.msg113242#msg113242

Based on Raj's 5 Drive Budge Box, it appears that I may not need to buy cables.  ;D

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I bought the items today.  I'll be here in less than a week!

 

With my build, here are potential issues:

 

http://lime-technology.com/forum/index.php?topic=12803.msg121537#msg121537

Azza Helio 910 Top fan might rattle...solution: try reinstalling

Norco SS-500 stock fan might be loud...solution: replace it (Noctua 92mm fan? http://lime-technology.com/forum/index.php?topic=11600.msg125915#msg125915)

 

http://www.greenleaf-technology.com/Blogs/BlogSoftwareAndHardware/index.php

Norco SS-500 issue might be too long...solution: use shorter screws or add a washer

 

 

Other:

http://lime-technology.com/forum/index.php?topic=7998.msg113242#msg113242

Based on Raj's 5 Drive Budge Box, it appears that I may not need to buy cables.  ;D

 

I dont think you can replace the 80mm an with a 92mm. i think that was a typo. I think it is the supermicro that uses the 92mm fan?

 

Since you are only using the motherboard SATA headers to start, you only need standard SATA cables. you should get those with the mobo and maybe the cage?

 

you will probably have to bend the tabs on that case for the  drive cage. a quick search will provide details.

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I dont think you can replace the 80mm an with a 92mm. i think that was a typo. I think it is the supermicro that uses the 92mm fan?

Someone was able to use a 92mm that he had lying around but it was jerry rigged!  He hinted that he'd use the Noctua 80mm the next time around.

 

Since you are only using the motherboard SATA headers to start, you only need standard SATA cables. you should get those with the mobo and maybe the cage?

I'm hoping those cables come along with the mobo and cage... It should arrive in a couple of days!!!  ;D

 

you will probably have to bend the tabs on that case for the  drive cage. a quick search will provide details.

As for the tabs in the case, this post suggests to use a C-clamp...might ease the bending process.

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