DIY Question

[Epitome]

I'm building a NAS/PC and trying to future proof for possible VoIP server (i.e., teamspeak 3 or ventrilo), streaming music to friends similar to how ppl create shoutcast radio stations (know how to do this), Sabnzbd, Sickbeard, among other things. Was interested in portability as a HTPC; however, when at my house I would use it primarily for the purposes above and as simple storage to my PC (use my PC as my TV with 42" HDTV).

Hardware I plan to use:
1 x ASUS AT3IONT-I Deluxe
6 x SAMSUNG EcoGreen F3 HD203WI 2TB
1 x Fractal Design ARRAY R2 MINI ITX NAS CASE
1 x G.SKILL ECO Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) *In MoBo Compatibility List*

With the help of a knowledgeable friend I'm going with a Ubuntu setup and use the OS to build the raid. The problem is that this ION motherboard, along with every other Atom CPU ION Mini-ITX mobo, has a max of 4 SATA sockets. I've got it within my budget to get 6 of those drives which the case can handle. Are there any issues with Ubuntu software raiding 4 hardrives on the motherboard and 2 on a SATA expansion card or does Ubuntu seem all 6 drives as equal? What would be a recommended SATA expansion card/raid card for Ubuntu to see these 6 drives so that I may build a software RAID? Looking to have some redundancy with RAID 5 or possibly RAID 6.

Thanks

 

[pootul]

Choices

It turns out that if you're looking for 6 SATA ports in a mini-ITX atom motherboard, you actually have 3 choices:

1) Zotac NM10-B-E:
a.) Con: Four of the SATA ports are just sitting behind a multiplier
b.) Con: Users have had some problems using the 4 extra ports in non-RAID mode.

2) Jetway JNC92-330-LF:
a.) Con: Not Pineview
b.) Con: Getting 6 SATA ports means you need to be the 4SATA port expansion (costs more).

3) SuperMicro X7SPA-H (or X7SPA-HF):
a.) Con: Expensive ($170 for H, and $200 for HF)
b.) Note: You have to choose between the anemic onboard intel graphics of the H version, and the 2D-only graphics of the HF version. The reason you pay $30 more for the HF is that is has IPMI, which besides hardware monitoring, means you get a built-in VNC like program in the hardware (ie. in other words, you get to access even the BIOS with a VNC-like software over the net).

I'm making the same choice, and at this point, I'm pretty set on the X7SPA-H. I was thinking of going Core i3, but the increased power envelope (73 versus 11 Watts) and the extra cost ($100) just makes it not worth it...