Rank Newbie Questions -> OMV on HP N40L

Hello All,

First time poster with a number of questions relating to OMV install on the HP microserver N40L. I have, of course, read up on the other N40L threads here but still have a few questions that I am hoping forum members can help with.

The goal is to set up a file server with 4 x3TB drives to back up and store family photos and videos and data files. As these are priceless files, maximum security and reliability (with appropriate backups) is a priority. The machine will not be used to stream music or video or as an entertainment media storage centre. Also, we do not need a torrent client or web or email server. We would like to retain the CD ROM drive to load photos or videos from.

Now the questions:

1. Since the N40L only has 5 SATA ports all of which will be occupied by 4 HDs and a CD-ROM, I am thinking of mounting a small, say 8-16GB, PCIe SSD in the internal slot. Can anyone recommend a reasonably priced make/model of PCIe SSD that would work as a system drive without wearing out in a short time? It would need to boot up without drivers, I guess. Since, to the best of my knowledge, the N40 slots are not mSATA enabled would something like this drive work?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/KSD-Mi…rives&hash=item3f224c2e7f

If not, alternative suggestions are welcomed.

2. For maximum stability, even at the expense of slower file reads, which file system is recommended? Coming from the Windows world FAT 32 and NTFS are all I am familiar with.

3. As a follow up to Q2, what RAID configuration, if any, is recommended? Looking at the web, RAID 5 seems susceptible to failure if a second drive fails during array rebuild.

4. Which make and model of 3TB drives have forum members have good experiences with?

Thanks for your help.

1. Believe it or not, I do not have a spare laptop drive sitting around. The cost of the USb to SATA cable added to a small hard drive will be more than the cost of the PCIe SSD I linked to.

2. Thanks, ext4 it will be then. I assume if I start out with two drives, adding additional drives to boost capacity will be seamless?

3. Since I am not using this machine to stream video or music, do I really need RAID?

4. Thanks. I will check out the 3 TB Seagate. I assume you mean the enterprise drives?

Zitat von "ryecoaaron"

1. It is very easy to get a 2.5" laptop hard drive under the cd-rom in the top. Just wire it to the internal usb port (using usb to sata adapter) or the sixth sata port (e-sata) on the back of the unit (requires sata power splitter). Unless you are familiar with Linux or install a desktop environment, the cd-rom is going to be difficult to use how you intend. It would be better to copy files from a different computer to the N40L over samba.

2. ext4 is all you need but you can't go wrong with any of the filesystem options in OMV (fat32 and ntfs are not options).

3. Raid 5 is a good option. Raid 6 or Raid 10 allow two drives to fail but you will get half the total capacity with four drives.

4. I prefer WD but the Seagate 3 TB 7200.14 gets better ratings. I would go with a drive that has a 5 year warranty.

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Thanks for the reply Willri.

Yes, after you posted your message I read your thread on the HP40 install problems. Has it been running well since? Are you now using it for data storage?

I had seen both the links you attached to your message, I find the home server site very useful.

I was not intending to flash the bios but based on your suggestion and the one from ryecoaaron I will do it.