MOBO, CPU & RAM for NAS/Server Build?

[jonnystv]

I have a Synology DS207+ that I use as NAS and as a web development server. However, the latest version of Wordpress, which I use extensively, runs so slowly as to be unusable on the DS207+.

I'm planning to build my own replacement and would like any thoughts on the best hardware platform for the job. The job will be basic NAS stuff like back-up and remote file access; web server to run Wordpress as well as other web applications (nothing enterprise level though!). I intend to use Ubuntu Server for the OS. I will not need the capability to play back HD video.

I can pick up a VIA ARTiGO A2000 very cheaply but would it be up to the web server tasks?

I've also been considering low power integrated boards such as Intel's D425KT & D525MW as they are very reasonably priced.

What would be the advantage of spending double on Jetway's JNC96-525 or JNF99-525 boards.

Could I get away with an Atom N270 such as on the Jetway JNF94-270 and would 2GB of RAM be adequate.

There seems to be a ridiculous amount of choice so I'm hoping someone on the board has tried the same thing and can share their experience.

Look forward to hearing from you.

Cheers
Jonny

 

[loyukfai]

What are the local prices of the VIA and the mobos you mentioned...?

AFAIK, the performance of VIA's CPU is not in the same league of Atom. OTOH, Atom is probably an overkill. And the A2000 is a complete system...(?)

Perhaps there are tweaks that can help your DS207+ run smoother without building a new box...? Have you checked out http://forum.synology.com/enu/...?

FYI, I just built a NAS with a E350 mobo, the overall system cost <USD150 sans drives and chassis.

Cheers.

Edit: Umm... 500MHz Marvell processor; 128MB RAM soldered; Not covered by the latest firmware update... Would you do soldering...? Maybe it can take higher capacity RAM chips...?

 

[jonnystv]

Thanks Loyukfai

It is a complete system, albeit without RAM. Mini-itx.com are selling them for GB£70 and 2GB of the appropriate RAM is GB£20. I think a decent system for less than GB£100.

However, I won't be upset if the consensus is that this system may not be the right one for me.

Cheers
Jonny

 

[00Roush]

If you haven't already taken a look... http://www.smallnetbuilder.com/nas/...om-vs-via-c7-which-makes-a-faster-cheaper-nas

Anything is probably going to be better than the DS207+. The higher cost Atom, E350, and Via Nano X2 setups get you the possibility of much higher transfer speeds due to the extra processing power. The Via setup you mentioned should work just fine provided you aren't running anything too demanding.

00Roush

 

[jonnystv]

Thanks 00Roush

I have read the article you linked to. The thing that I am unsure of is what would be an example of something too demanding within the realms of NAS and web server operations? This would help greatly with my decision.

Cheers
Jonny

 

[loyukfai]

There are several factors at play. First of all what's the limiting factor of your system currently...? From the sound of it it seems that you're not very concerned with the disk throughput, but more of the webserver performance. So the network speed is probably not the limiting factor, I guess, but given the specs of 207+ it can be both CPU and RAM.

Perhaps you may setup a virtual machine and profile your app. (BTW, why don't you test your web app using virtual machine...?)

I couldn't in the limited of time find a comprehensive benchmark. But here are two...

http://www.cpubenchmark.net/cpu_list.php

The C7 (according to Wikipedia, the C7-D is the RoHS-compliant version of C7, RoHS is some kind of green initiative by the EU) @ 1.5GHz's CPU mark is 302. The N270 @ 1.6GHz got 304. The D425 @ 1.8GHz got 321. The D525 @ 1.8GHz got 712.

C7 1500mhz: http://browse.geekbench.ca/geekbench2/search?utf8=✓&q=c7+1500mhz&commit=Search
N270: http://browse.geekbench.ca/geekbench2/search?utf8=✓&q=n270&commit=Search
D425: http://browse.geekbench.ca/geekbench2/search?utf8=✓&q=d425&commit=Search
D525 http://browse.geekbench.ca/geekbench2/search?utf8=✓&q=d525&commit=Search

This benchmark is more complicated though, I don't really know how to use and interpret at the moment, the scores are user submitted and there seem to be more factors involved. The scores of C7 @ 1.5GHz range from <200 to >500.

For N270, some of them are in the range of 200-300 but some can go higher than 1000.

For D425, the scores are generally above 1000.

For D525, it goes as high as 1700.

You may like to consider the price of RAM too, DDR2 RAM, IIRC, cost more than DDR3 at the moment.

Again, you have to compare the prices between these different platforms and make a decision. Floor space can be an important factor, custom chassis the size of A2000 can be quite expensive. OTOH, standard parts are in general easier to replace. The A2000's expandability is supported by only the USB and has only one SO-DIMM slot supporting up to 2GB RAM. Not sure about the N270 and D425 but the D525 supports up to 4GB.

Cheers.

 

[jonnystv]

Hi loyukfai

Many thanks for the very comprehensive reply.

You're right about the disk throughput. As this is a home server the speed at which back-ups happen is not a significant concern. If I have large amounts of data to transfer I tend do do that overnight.

I installed Ubuntu Server on a Virtual Box image the other day and am currently grappling with the unfamiliar environment! Not sure how closely I can mimic specific hardware profiles with Virtual Box, might need something like VMware for that.

Been looking at the detailed results of the benchmarks you kindly found for me. Fairly obvious which one provides the most grunt. Some further digging has told me that all are eminently capable of running Ubuntu Server.

Power consumption seems to be within a reasonably tight range across all the processors. I would imagine in any storage oriented system the HDDs are going to suck up the majority of the watts.

I think the lack of expansion in the case and on the motherboard is probably going to rule it out. With a Mini-ITX Atom board and a chassis with room for say 4 drives I can always upgrade the board and add more than the two HDDs I already have. (Something I've successfully done with my desktop in its Antec P182 case.) It'll cost a bit more initially but is likely to last me much longer than the DS207+ has lasted.

Now to the job of selecting the most cost effective board and case combination, with the luxury of too much choice!

Thanks for your help.

Jonny