I finished my fileserver a couple of days ago, here's a build log in case anybody's interested.

I built this box because I've got about a half-dozen machines on my network, with files stored on most of them (Plus I needed more room for pr0n... err, family photos). Since it only has to serve files, I didn't need much horsepower from the CPU--hence the single-core Celeron--although the motherboard will take a dual/quad core CPU if I decide to upgrade later.

The heart of the machine is 4 750 GB SATA drives configured in a RAID 5 (leaving about 2 TB usable storage).

Anyway, first the parts list:

http://secure.newegg.com/WishList/PublicWishDetail.aspx?WishListNumber=7730771

The parts:



A couple views of the inside of the case:





Preparing to install the front fans and the drives:



Boot Drive (160 GB Drive I scavenged out of an old machine):



Drives and fans installed:



Front of the case buttoned up:



PSU and rear fans installed:



Motherboard installed:



CPU, Heat Sink, and RAM installed:



Small confession: at this point in the assembly I connected the case switches (power + reset, lights, etc) and started to install the OS.



Unfortunately, I had neglected to connect the SATA drives... I also noted that the 4 stock 80 mm fans straddling the middle of the case are all kinds of loud, so I removed them and ordered some quiet ones (this machine is going to be on pretty much all the time, so noise is a factor).

Fans, removed:



Here are the drives, connected:



And that was basically it for the assembly. I didn't encounter any problems with the case or the parts, although I had a couple of issues installing Linux.

At any rate, it's working like champ now.



Now I need to do a little carpentry so I have someplace to put this thing.

 

That's a hefty build there. Hope it works out for you.

How well does Debian work with those SATA drives?

 

The drives weren't an issue, but the 2.6.18 kernel (Debian Stable) for the net install off the floppies doesn't have support for the built-in NIC...

I ended up using Ubuntu Server, which works like a champ.

 

I like you much better now. Nothing against Debian, but Ubuntu is just better.

 

I went through a very similar process about a year and a half ago. Decided it was time to get a networked file server.

So I got online. I found a well reviewed NAS. Quiet as a mouse. Placed an order. Got a shipment. And then I had to plug it in.

Ta-da.

I'll admit my process might not have been as geek intensive or have the redundancy of a striped RAID. But I spent $130 and about ten minutes for 500GB. I've yet to have a single hiccup with it since I plugged it in (March of 07 I think).

Except for the one that's inevitable. Time to buy another.

 

... Ubuntu is Debian, though. Not really all that much difference.

Also; Nonjon ... THAT is your porn collection? D:



I pwnt yo.... owait ;_;

 

Is this going to be some kind of reverse penis length thread? xD

 

Yes yes, but Ubuntu is for teh Hoomanz!

Oh, and ImageShack has pwnt your image for p0rn or warez. I wonder why.