NAS box or use cheap HP microserver

Hi there

I can get a decent HP ProLiant micro server with 4 bays for around 450 EUR. A cheapish decent NAS box costs around the same.

I'm thinking of using the server as an alternative to a NAS box -- I can install my own OS (I'll use a Linux distro for this)and it's reasonably customiseable.

Power consumption on the server would also be minimal so suited ideally to Multi-media serving. I like the idea of using an OS I'm familar with rather than things like QNAP on NAS boxes.

Any disadvantages in going this route as opposed to using a NAS box.

HPE ProLiant Gen8 G1610T 2GB RAM MicroServer - Ebuyer

Update --

after a lot of googling etc I've ordered the Server -- with an extra 3TB drive (I already have 3) and 8GB RAM total cost around 450 GBP - / 600 EUR.

A decent NAS box costs around the same BEFORE populating with HDD's / extra memory.

What I like particularly about this server is that you can use the ODD bay for an SSD and also for Linux GRUB to boot from an external USB stick or even the built in SD card. - You don't need to boot a server very often once its up and running.

Hopefully Air freight from Amazon UK to Isl should deliver in the next two days so looking forward to getting it working. Boot options can disable RAID too so makes for a great equivalent NAS saystem.

Will post back my efforts later -- W10 systems can access PLEX etc on Linux boxes.

I like also that it's got a router also so I can use as an Internet gateway for guests etc. Much more flexible than a bog standard NAS and cheaper too.

Am surprised others haven't gone down the "Small / Micro" server route.

Note - it comes with NO OS supplied so you have to install your own --and it does work with Windows so I'm reliably informed - as well as certified for SUSE and RED HAT so it should work with most decent Linux distros too if you want to use those.

Cheers
jimbo

whs said:

What do you do with this thing. What is the advantage of having a server in a private household.

Hi there.

I intend to use this as a decent NAS box. It's about the size of an average decent sub woofer - don't confuse with those commercial servers. This is a Micro server designed originally for a small office network.

As well as a file server I'll be running PLEX (multi media application) to dish out video to Remote TV's etc and Logitech media server for high quality audio to squeezeboxes and similar. There's enough "oomf" also to run a Windows VM for accessing remotely from my phone / internet.

@snoopy51 it's about 1/2 the price of a 4 bay QNAP synergy NAS box.

You can run your own OS (even Windows if you like). Size is small and power consumption if you use the standard supplied CPU is only around 35W. For a NAS you don't need a mega powerful CPU. This server also has 2 LAN cards and 4Bays (I am going to use 3 X 3 TB drives - already have 2 so I bought another one) and have another slot available for use if I need more space.

I upped the memory to 16GB RAM. I also bought the entry level micro server (more than adequate for a NAS box).

cost of the entire thing





Will get back the UK V.A.T too so it's even cheaper.


Depending on the nr of bays you use you might need SATA-->MOLEX Sata HDD connectors for the power supply -- I already have loads of that stuff lying around.

You can up the CPU to a more powerful one if you want to run a load of VM's - but I just want it as a NAS box which just sits there quietly in the corner minding its own business. I intend to run CENTOS 7 but on the web loads of people have used Windows or even things like FreeNAS if you want to "Roll your own" OS.

This IMO makes a great alternative to a NAS box -- quality build from HP and designed to run (like NAS) always on.

You can also add an SSD / 2.5 inch drive and there's internal bootable micro SD card and USB as well as 4X external USB slots.

For NAS in the BIOS you can disable RAID if you want so you can use all 4 HDD's as separate HDD's.

No need to spend 2.5 - 3,000 USD on something simple like a NAS box. OK It's a little bit ugly but who sees it after it's working and connected to your LAN.

Having studied this for a while IMO using one of these micro servers seems a great way of getting a very capable NAS system at a bargain basement price. Plenty of help on the web also on how to set it up.

Running things like PLEX 24/7 from a laptop isn't very satisfactory and I don't need or want to get another desktop PC. This tiny unobtrusive piece of kit looks like "It's just what the doctor ordered".

Cheers
jimbo

I got the WD My Cloud Mirror 6TB NAS for £299. You can get an 8Tb model. I am not sure why you'd ever want to spend $3k for a house setup.