Linux Home Server: Build Suggestions

mr626 on 08/08/2022 - 20:31

Greetings all,

My current home server is nearing 7 years old and needs replacement. Looking for suggestions.
Priorities (highest to lowest): reliability, power consumption, cost, noise, physical space

Parts of the setup I've already decided on:

Operating system: Usually either vanilla Debian, or Ubuntu LTS
Storage: 3 x 6TB (ZFS array)- general media and file storage. 1 x 3TB- backups (mirrored to offsite periodically). 1 x 256GB SSD- OS disk (already have)
Usage: mainly a file / download server, with some streaming / light web hosting duties.

What I'm trying to work out is what system to house the above. I have a few options:

iTX system (already have case, PSU, mobo, CPU, ram). Negatives on this is physical space (I can just make it work, but it won't be pretty / will involve cable ties) and the age of the components (they are all 2017 era, working fine last I checked, but not sure how I feel about using them in a 24/7 server)

mATX system (probably have a case and PSU lying around I could use). Negatives is cost- doesn't seem to be as many cheap combos around for mobo / cpu / ram as last there were last time I shopped for stuff

Some ARM-based or integrated CPU mobo this is what my current server uses and its been great- low power, low noise, just starting to lack a bit of grunt for some tasks. I had a look and it seems that these are just not common any more (at least in x86 land). Are there any good ARM home server options to investigate?

Some other option I haven't thought of?

Please help me decide!

Computing Home Server Linux Operating System

Comments

  • smashman42 on 08/08/2022 - 20:57
    +1

    I'd throw the ITX stuff you have together and stress test it to see how reliable it is or isn't

    You could put the 3TB backup drive into it to rsync your data to it from the current unit, but schedule other stuff to simulate your other workloads like the streaming so the box is on 24/7 with fluctuating loads like it would be in reality.

    If you get a month of uptime out of it like that then it should be pretty ok

    I assume given you even listed it that you'd be happy enough with the power consumption of whatever those parts are, and grunt wise anything is going to beat some old ATOM or ARM integrated thing.

    You could always do it temporarily until the mATX or whatever full upgrade option becomes more financially viable, grab bits as they're on sale here and there sort of thing.

    • mr626 on 08/08/2022 - 21:07

      I think this is the most likely scenario at this point. I figure, even if the mobo / cpu / ram crapped itself and the system wasn't bootable, I'm unlikely to loose actual drives or data (not impossible I know, but not likely at least in my own experience). Maybe a new PSU though for good measure.

      Yeah I'd be ok with the power consumption side- also have solar panels to offset some of it during the day.

      I just got a bit of a shock when I started looking around and the price of new components. I mean I knew about the video card side, and I know everything has gone up etc etc, but…damn.

  • boomramada on 08/08/2022 - 21:00
    +3

    Rp4
    I'm not joking, use for:
    Nas (20gb)
    Home Assistant
    PIA
    Radarr/Lidarr/Sonarr
    PiHole
    Torrents
    And few others.

    It's about what you want to run in it?

    Benefits, low power, easy to backup and maintain.

    • mr626 on 08/08/2022 - 21:10

      It's not a terrible idea! I'd need a sata riser thingymebob, and a suitable case to house everything (or, get out the dremel and…modify an existing case).
      Would be concerned about the lifespan of the microSD as a system drive in this use case though, or do we just optimise for less writes, have downloads etc going to other volumes, that sort of thing?

      • boomramada on 08/08/2022 - 21:28

        Nah, don't use microSD, they only lasted a year. Now I'm using small SSD, so I can clone it easy for backup.
        I got two external HDs attached, one to download and one for media for plex, I use Nvdia shield as plex server. No playback issue for 50gb+ 4k movies.

        And I run every app as docker, minimal configuration and easy to back up if something goes wrong.

        And you need a aluminium heatsink, reduce the temp from 60c to 40c lol

  • Guerilla89 on 08/08/2022 - 22:46
    +1

    If you're looking for a project You can install a linux server on any of those S905x android devices. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nSCj1b6PbaQ
    You would probably need to look for one of those older models though.

    If it was me I would probably get a mini-pc: https://www.scorptec.com.au/product/branded-systems/nuc-&-mi…

    • yewman on 08/08/2022 - 23:45

      Awesome, thanks so much for posting this!
      I do have an old S905x tv box that had been sitting in a drawer for years doing nothing

  • nedski on 08/08/2022 - 23:39

    My home server is running TrueNas and its an 4th Gen i7 in a HTPC case with 4 drives in. Slots in nicely into my home theater cabinet.

    The home server runs Home Assistant, Linux Torrents, VPN, Plex and file serving. Runs like a dream really.

  • 7ekn00 on 09/08/2022 - 08:11

    Recently purchased an AMD 5600G + MSI B550A-Pro + 32GB 3600MHz RAM as HA/DHCP/Plex/File server with 8 HDDs and 1 NVME drive.

    It idles at 27W from the wall and ramps to 128W under full load (~95W when just playing random 1080p games)

  • scotty on 09/08/2022 - 10:06

    Recently converted one of my old laptop to a Linux development server (i7-4710MQ so fast enough for most of my work but has a broken screen). Doesn't use much power when idling, and it even comes with a built-in UPS, i.e. battery. Maybe looking around for an old laptop?

    Storage might be an issue. 4 bay USB enclosure? Not sure how stable ZFS is running over USB.

    • mr626 on 09/08/2022 - 20:39

      Thanks for the thought. I had considered this but don't really have any spare laptops that would suit. Haha yes, 'built in UPS' is a handy feature!

  • barge-in hunter on 09/08/2022 - 10:56
    +1

    I'm making an assumption here: an ITX board mounts in an mATX case, right?

    If so, you have the parts you need - and a case big enough to fit all your drives. I would personally go down that route (free being better than cheap and all :D )

    • mr626 on 09/08/2022 - 20:38

      Good catch. I actually though of this after posting. The answer to this is "depends on the case"
      Most of my spare cases are on the older / cheaper side, so it isn't a given they'll support ITX. But definitely work checking!

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