SFF mATX File Server

[tictoc]

This build is a smallish backup file server that will be the final piece of kit downsizing from my 42U into a 12U rack and two desktop cases.

 

There are a number of similar sized or smaller NAS type chassis available, and the main reason for this build was the price of the case ($59 on NewEgg at purchase) and the fact that I thought I could shove 6 HDDs with little to no modding.  The case, motherboard, and CPU are the only parts I purchased for this build, and the rest of the parts are repurposed from other machines.

 

Hardware:

Case: Sama IM01

CPU: AMD Ryzen 3 Pro 5350GE

Motherboard: AsRock B550M-ITX/ac

RAM: 2x 16GB Micron DDR4 3200 ECC UDIMM

NIC: No name AQC113 based 10GBASE-T

HBA: LSI SAS 9207-8i

SSD: Inland Premium 512GB NVMe

HDD: 4x 16TB Seagate Exos X16, 1x 8TB Seagate Ironwolf Pro, 1x 8TB Seagate Exos 7E8

PSU: Corsair SF750

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[tictoc]

Storage will be updated fairly soon, since I will be retiring a few 16TB drives out of my main server.

 

Server will be headless running Arch Linux, and will be mostly asleep using WOL to wake the server idle for backup tasks. 

Edited August 10, 2023 by tictoc
see strikethrough :)

[ENTERPRISE]

That is a nice build for the purpose, case looks like an awesome choice too. Out of interest, is this not going to be on 24/7 ? Only because I noted you saying you would use WOL.

 

My fileserver is on all the time but it runs more services than just file access. 

 

I know back in the day it was less wearing on HDD's to leave them on rather than powering down/up all the time. Im not sure how 'Hardy' HDD's are these days in that respect, haven't kept up with the data om that.

[Barefooter]

Nice litter server rig there!

[tictoc]

On 09/08/2023 at 19:00, ENTERPRISE said:

That is a nice build for the purpose, case looks like an awesome choice too. Out of interest, is this not going to be on 24/7 ? Only because I noted you saying you would use WOL.

 

My fileserver is on all the time but it runs more services than just file access. 

 

I know back in the day it was less wearing on HDD's to leave them on rather than powering down/up all the time. Im not sure how 'Hardy' HDD's are these days in that respect, haven't kept up with the data om that.

 

This is probably still true, if for no other reason than thermal cycling electronic components pretty much always hastens their eventual death.  How much it really matters is up for debate.  Exos drives are rated for 600k load/unload cycles and 50k start/stop cycles, so starting up and shutting down once a day wouldn't really put a dent in the rated lifespan.  

 

This will likely not be the way I run this.  I was just fiddling around with further reducing power consumption.  The reduced power consumption is not really worth it to me, with the increased chance of a failed backup due to a start-up/shut-down or WOL packet error.

 

With zero tuning the system idles at 78W.  More than half of that power is the drives, nic, and HBA.      

Edited August 11, 2023 by tictoc
typo

[The Pook]

I let my drives spin 24/7 just because I don't like the few seconds extra it takes to access a network share when the drives are spun down 

[ENTERPRISE]

13 hours ago, tictoc said:

 

This is probably still true, if for no other reason than thermal cycling electronic components pretty much always hastens their eventual death.  How much it really matters is up for debate.  Exos drives are rated for 600k load/unload cycles and 50k start/stop cycles, so starting up an shutting down once a day wouldn't really put a dent in the rated lifespan.  

 

This will likely not be the way I run this.  I was just fiddling around with further reducing power consumption.  The reduced power consumption is not really worth it to me, with the increased chance of a failed backup due to a start-up/shut-down or WOL packet error.

 

With zero tuning the system idles at 78W.  More than half of that power is the drives, nic, and HBA.      

 

Yeah totally, the likelihood YOU would experience drive degradation/death from power cycles is highly unlikely, especially with prosumer/enterprise rated drives.  

[Northwave]

Hey !

Im currently rearranging my server in the same case. Would love to see a photo taken from the top, to see how much space is behind the HDDs. Thank you ! I will print the hdd holder with 3d printer and to see this in before, would help me a lot.

[tictoc]

On 06/09/2023 at 06:29, Northwave said:

Hey !

Im currently rearranging my server in the same case. Would love to see a photo taken from the top, to see how much space is behind the HDDs. Thank you ! I will print the hdd holder with 3d printer and to see this in before, would help me a lot.

 

Sorry for the late reply, I've been out of town for the last couple of weeks.  Here's a shot from the top with the fans removed.