Nas build critique please

[odis172]

Hey guys, looking for a little advice on my nas build.

Im looking to build a storage unit to house all of my important data, pictures, dvd rips, music etc. I plan to stream from the nas to my pc and eventually an htpc. I will also be using it as an image backup from a 2 systems. Also I may be using the box for other things eventually, such as hosting to the web, who knows really. Should i call it a Nas, or server build?
I plan to goto college for IT studies in the near future, so please dont hold back any suggestions you think may be too complicated, I'd like to learn as much as possible.

My budget is going to be fairly low, i am currently unemployed as i just moved to Ottawa. Dont want to spend more then about 500 for drives and other items needed.
The following parts that I have on hand, I plan on using.

Asus p5n73-am
e5200
2 gigs ram
pc P&C 430 watt psu
(perc 5/i is on the way)

Only thing with the motherboard is that it doesnt have onboard gigabit, should i install a gig card, or use a differant board?

Im uncertain about what type of hard drives to use. Ive always used WD and have been happy with them, would prefer to stick with them, but if something else would suit the build better, so be it. I was originally planning to buy 3-4 1TB black then in the future add more as needed (the perc 5/i supports this functionality in raid 5) Ive been doing a fair amount of research and it seems that as of recently the wd drives dont let you switch the TLER setting, which can cause the drive to drop out of the array, if its repairing a bad sector, but the raid card thinks its being unresponsive.
Is there a way to increase the amount of time the card waits for the hd?

I currently have 2 1TB green drives that i was thinking of selling, and 4 wd 500gig drives that range from 6 months to 2 years old. The 500gig should be receptive to the tler change, though I havent tried it. As for the greens, I was originally thinking the black drives would be better in a raid then the greens, any suggestions? Also what should I do for a backup solution for all this data?

For a chassis, im really unsure of what to get. I just purchased a 42u Rack off of kijiji, so Id like to take advantage of it. I dont plan on spending more then 200 for the chassis, so a used one may be an option. Hotswappable drive bays would be nice, but probably overkill?

As for the OS, ive read about freenas, and it looks powerfull, though im betting they dont use it in an enterprise environment, so would linux/opensolaris or something else offer the best combination of suitability for the build and learning opportunity?

As always power consumption is also important for a 24/7 machine

Thanks, look forward to hearing your responses!

[MarkOne]

WHS...... you should use Windows Home Server, you have already everything you need,, just add few drives

NCIX.com - Buy Microsoft Windows Home Server OEM RP1 OEM - CCQ-00061 In Canada.

[odis172]

Thanks for the suggestion, but ill definitely use linux or freenas before purchasing that for 140! Hopefully in the future ill have access to the msdn-aa and be able to play around with server 2003/08

[3.0charlie]

e5200 is overkill for file transfer
need gigabit ethernet

I swear by my Terastation rackmount Pro II. Only downside is max. 4Tb (3Tb in Raid 5).

[odis172]

I know the e5200 is overkill, but the cpu itself is not that expensive, and i have it on hand, so i figure i might as well use it. I do have an intel pro 1000 pcie card laying around that i could use for Gb. Would it really be worth it to sell the mobo and cpu and get something cheaper? I dont think the savings would be that much, also its a pretty low power cpu afaik.

That terastation looks pretty sick Charlie, though its alittle out of my pricerange :P

[3.0charlie]

If you already have the chip and GLan card, then you are set.

Found the Terastation on ebay, with the seller thinking that the HDDs were blown... but he didn't know they were set in RAID 5... so no one bid on it, except me. 400$ USD.

[MarkOne]

Originally Posted by 3.0charlie

e5200 is overkill for file transfer...

I.

I have a e7500 in mine

[odis172]

but do you have dedicated raid card? If not the cpu is actually doing abit of work :P

[odis172]

My biggest concern is what drives to use, any suggestions? Id like to buy them while the boxingday deals are on.

[odis172]

Ive decided to go with the wd 1 tb blacks, as lcdguy is happy with them in raid.
Does anyone know if this case accepts standard power supplies?
NCIX.com - Buy Supermicro SC743TQ-865B 4U RM/TWR Chassis Flpy Bay 8HS SAS/SATA Bays 2X5.25IN Bay 865W - CSE-743TQ-865B In Canada.
On the 80plus website, they said the form factor for that supermicro psu is "custom"