I have been reading madly for about a week and would like some advice on a proposed system
System Usage
Small Office/Home Server Appliance on 24/7. It will be used for the following:-
- Gateway
Email (IMAP - Webmail - Fetchmail Collection)
Webserver (Host 1 domain, Backup 3 Domains, Website Development/Testing)
Print Server
Web Content Filtering
Media Server (Video using Twonkyvision & Music using Squeezecenter)
Fax Server (Still thinking about this one)
File Server (Common shared directories)
Rsync to backup Websites from hosted Webserver location
Virus checking of files from web (ClamAV)
Possible VPN (If I can figure it out)
Build Criteria
- Quiet (Sits about 1-2 metres from us in the office)
Power Efficient
Expandable
- Gigabyte GA-MA74GM-S2H or Foxconn A7GM-S-2.0
Antec Mini P180
Nexus Value 430 Watt High-Efficiency Power Supply
System Disks:- 2 X WD1600BEVT Scorpio Blue Drives (Mirrored)
Media Disks:- 4 X WD15EADS Caviar Green Drives (Raid 5)
2 X 2 GB DDR2 800 Ram
AMD Athlon X2 4850e (45 Watt TPD) Processor
Intel Pro/1000 MT Gigabit Desktop PCI Network Card
PCI 56K Dial Up V90 V92 Fax Voice Modem Internal Card
serialata . org / portmultiplier.asp
My plan was to suspend the 2 X 2.5 drives in the bottom of the Mini P180 Case in front of the power supply in the area for the optical drives. I would then try and suspend the 4 X 1.5 TB drives in the drive cages if possible - not sure if that is able to be done. That would leave me the top area of the case for future expansion. Actually by placing the 2.5" drives up in the top of the case from the start and having the bottom of the case for expansion would be a better option. Is there enough space up there for this?
My purpose in the two arrays is to have aggressive drive shut-down parameters set for the 3.5" drives to save power whilst the system continues to work off the low powered 2.5" drives.
I have not included a replacement heat sink for the processor as I was looking for suggestions. I was thinking about a Noctua NH-U12P CPU Cooler (Silent but not passive) but perhaps overkill - Passive would be better.
This machine will be idle for a lot of time but web filtering needs a bit of horsepower as does serving dynamic web pages hence the processor chosen.
I do have a 200W Pico PSU but I am concerned about the startup requirements hence the larger PSU. I know it can not compete on the noise front.
Any feedback appreciated very much.
All the best
Laurie