Help setting up file server

Pretty soon I'm planning on setting up a file server with a RAID 5. I plan on having 5 2TB drives, which would be 8 TB of storage space if I'm understanding this right. I'm going to build it in this case, because it is cheap and has 8 3.5" internal bays.

I haven't picked out a motherboard yet, but I'm going to go for the cheapest one that will do what I need it to do. What I can't find anywhere on the nets is how much RAM I will need for this system. I'm pretty sure I get free legit copies of Windows Server 2008 through school, if that factors into it. But I'm open to other suggestions on how to do this.

How many active connections are you planning on having at once?

I'd say no more than 6, but I'm not sure what is considered low or high in this scenario.

6 is very low.  I can setup a normal PC with Windows XP to allow 6 connections easy.

What could you possibly be sticking on there that's so large that it requires so much storage?

Totally legal backups of all my movies, music, and various other media files. As part of a Direct Connect network.

Ok, so let's say 10 connections. What sort of RAM and CPU will I be needing for this?

I can't find any motherboards that support RAID 5, only 0/1/10/JBOD. WTF!

Totally legal backups of all my movies, music, and various other media files. As part of a Direct Connect network.

Ok, so let's say 10 connections. What sort of RAM and CPU will I be needing for this?

I'd say 2Ghz with 2 GB of RAM.

You don't need a lot for just a file server.  And for what you're doing, you could probably throw in Windows XP and use that instead on a 1 Ghz machine with 1 GB of RAM but I'm not exactly sure as I've never really dealt with dedicated file servers in that manner before.

I can't find any motherboards that support RAID 5, only 0/1/10/JBOD. WTF!

I'm not sure if there are any mobos that support RAID 5 natively.  I did a quick search and it seems that many RAID 5 controller boards are limited to 4 drives as well.  I'm thinking that you might need to go with an external RAID cabinet if you have your heart set on 5 drives.

BTW, you may want to go with 6 drives so that you can have a hot spare.  Then again, I doubt that you would fill up a 4TB RAID 10 configuration any time soon.

*edit*  I stand corrected.  There are RAID 5 motherboards out there.  http://lmgtfy.com/?q=raid+5+motherboard

I have a 5 bay eSata multiplier that I was going to hook up to have two different raids in the same system. I'm going to have to look into this more.

Ok, I think I'll be able to do a software RAID through Windows with a motherboard that doesn't specifically have RAID 5 compatibility. If anyone knows that I'm wrong about this, please speak up. I do have quite a while before I'll be buying this, though.

Hardware RAID is always faster and more reliable than software RAID. 
http://www.cyberciti.biz/tips/raid-hardware-vs-raid-software.html

Thanks. I guess I'll probably end up doing a 4 drive internal RAID 5, and an external 5 drive RAID 5. Maybe a second internal RAID 5 eventually if that's even a possibility.

Why multiple RAID arrays?  Remember that RAID is not substitute for a good backup system.

Because I already have an eSata multiplier, so I'd have to set up a separate RAID for that if I want to use it. I guess I could use the rest of the hard drive bays to hold back up drives and I can back up every month or two.

Ok. So I just realized that I have no idea how one actually connects to a file server. Can I do it with a wired connection, and, if so, how? I know how to connect it to a direct connect server thing, but I can't figure out how to stream media off of it.

Assuming that you have the proper permissions, you would setup a share name in the Sharing and Security window and then either map a network drive letter or make a shortcut with the file share path name.  Usually it's in the form of \\server\share. 

Streaming would be handled by whatever app you're using (iTunes, shoutcast, etc.).

Would the server process the video or would my computer process it? Because if it is the computer, I'm set, but if it is the server I would need a pretty decent video card for HD movies and the like. I assume it is from the computer, but I want to be sure before beginning this endeavor.

Would the server process the video or would my computer process it? Because if it is the computer, I'm set, but if it is the server I would need a pretty decent video card for HD movies and the like. I assume it is from the computer, but I want to be sure before beginning this endeavor.

Your computer.

Awesome.

I thought we'd established in the other thread that RAID was overkill for your requirements?

This is a different project.

This is a different project.

Why?
Take computer with big drives.
Install xp.
Set drives to share.
Ensure all computers are in the same workgroup.

Done.

I gave up on the first thing, this is completely different.

Install xp.

Why would you want to run Windows on a file server? I can see the appeal on a desktop, but on a server? Seriously, what do all the vapid bells and whistles gain you?

Windows [...] I can see the appeal

WHO ARE YOU AND WHAT HAVE YOU DONE TO PARSIFAL?

Also, I think Lorddave was just providing the simplest solution. Click here, click there, and you're done. No need to struggle with command lines and crazy fat bearded guys.

Quote from: Parsifal on February 12, 2012, 11:26:25 PM

Windows [...] I can see the appeal

WHO ARE YOU AND WHAT HAVE YOU DONE TO PARSIFAL?

Also, I think Lorddave was just providing the simplest solution. Click here, click there, and you're done. No need to struggle with command lines and crazy fat bearded guys.

Exactly.
Of course I haven't kept up with the thread so I didn't I didn't know that a file server was. O longer what he wanted.

-This typo was sigged by Parsifal. I feel special.

What are you guys reading? I still want to set up a file server, it's just not the same thing I was trying to set up a few months ago. I realized that this solution was much more sensible, but had a few questions about how it would work. I think I've got it mostly figured out, but I may need some help while I'm actually doing it.

What are you guys reading? I still want to set up a file server, it's just not the same thing I was trying to set up a few months ago. I realized that this solution was much more sensible, but had a few questions about how it would work. I think I've got it mostly figured out, but I may need some help while I'm actually doing it.

You haven't given us any new info on it. And the OP is only 3 weeks old.

The orignal project that Parsifal mentioned was from another thread.