Ok, I currently have a mini-pc (4 core Intel I3) running as a server doing NAS type activities on the shoestring (usb drives) and serving as DNS server, time-server, photo backup, and hosting Jellyfin media services. If I felt I had more resources available, I might find other jobs for it.
The mini is more than 4 years old and showing it’s age when software transcoding 1080p shows (like an hour tv show will require 20 minutes transcoding in which the cpu is going basically at max). I also have had one USB drive fail (due to falling off shelf and killing the platter) in the last year.
I really should try to get something a bit more reliable. So I’ve been reading and it seems an Intel CPU is preferable for hardware transcoding. I would also like support of various raid levels. Of course, budget budget budget.
What I would like would be a solution that would allow old fashioned HDs (because they’re cheap and high capacity) to store content and migrate content to an SSD (cache so to speak) for access. I would require a minimum of 4 SATA slots, but would prefer 6. NAS software recommendations?
Do you guys have any thoughts on cases, MBs, cpus? I know I can throw something together, but I seek the wisdom of those that have done this.
Don’t go wild, this is a pie in the sky at the moment, but it probably should be done.
what type of NAS we are thinking about
- FreeNAS
- OpenMediaVault
- XigmaNAS
- Rockstor
or you could use somthing like Samba is not NAS but is Network file-sharing system
is a “similar”
Actually I’m more concerned with drive management than actually sharing anything;) (as far as NAS goes). My barely formed ideas were thinking along the lines of FreeNAS, though, I’m willing to listen to other suggestions for sure.
I don’t really want/need to share drive contents in the network, but of course that’s a side benefit with low usage plans.
so you need to just store stuff and acces it with in network? and if you need set up NAS there are lot of tutorials online if you need one i could send link to one of them
If you want to build a nas consider freebsd. Very stable
I’m apt enough with search to find my own, I’m mainly asking if other people have personal advise (particularly on hardware), though any advise is worth reading 
Perhaps a NAS appliance would be better than something I cobbled together (or maybe it wouldn’t)? Opinions…
Look into here. Both @dalto and me have built Aoostar NASses. I went with TrueNAS Scale as per a recommendation from a friend, Dalto tested multiple operating systems. Maybe you will find inspiration. I am very happy with my system.
Oh yes, that thread hits on most of my stuff…I’m still reading it and opening links from it. Thanks 
Ok, so TrueNas Scale looks to be the recommended software.
I’m looking at an Aoostar WTR Pro with Intel N100, 4 bay (I should be able to live with that), 16 GB, 512 GB SSD. I was thinking 4 6 GB drives.
I’m looking at darn close to 1k though…so I hope it will suit my needs for quite a number of years though.
I welcome additional comments and suggestions.
I can tell you that the transcoding is lightning fast, no problems. I am running several docker containers on there, there’s a lot of options for productive applications that I was not looking into when I bought my Aoostar. Currently running Paperless-NGX, my device connects to the Aoostar to deposit documents, scans them, catalogs them. That makes taxes much easier.
Would one install EOS on this NAS? Do you install True NAS scale on the same drive as EOS then? Don’t know much about setting up or running a NAS or True NAS Scale.
TrueNAS is an OS…well hosted on a debian base.
So one would install it on it’s own nvme drive then if using the Aoostar mini pc NAS. Or if installing EOS could be on the same drive?
TrueNAS scale is an OS. You don’t run it with EOS.
While you could run EOS on a NAS, a dedicated NAS OS is a lot easier to manage and more reliable.
Thanks guys, interesting read. I currently have a cheap Ryzen 7 mini pc (Amazon) and a 10 tb USB spinner attached, serving mainly Emby and a couple of docker compose images.
My main issue is it is wireless, it’s location makes it hard to wire it in 
Might move it, but it is hooked to the TV, which is useful.
Never heard of AooStar, reading some of the reviews, I saw:
Mentioned, looks interesting, I may pop the m2 out and give it a blast with a spare I have lying around.
An Illumos-based Server OS. That looks complicated. Might be a fun project though if you find it interesting.
My best mate (RIP) worked for Sun in Amsterdam, I have a fair bit of experience with their systems (if I can remember it all!).
Not pertinent to my hardware inquiry (other than user stupidity, which frequently bites me in the *), I tooled around with Jellyfin and my server and got hardware acceleration working. The same video files that I referenced as taking 100% cpu and 20 minutes to transcode, now takes only 50% cpu though the same time-frame still (20 mins plus or minus). It also keeps CPU temperatures about 11 C cooler.
Now I don’t feel as urgent a need (though still would be really nice to be on more quality system) to upgrade, even though I have been distinctly nervous about those USB drives. Given US political tension with China (and chips) maybe it would still be a prudent move with regards to price and availability.
Ok, I have ordered the AMD Aoostar with 16gb/512GB sdd and 4 4 tb ironwolves (planning on a raid with a single parity drive).
I know this sounds totally nerdy, but I have always wanted to RAID something (and never had identical/enough drives) haahah
PS Thanks for your enablement. I thought about the expenditure and then thought in terms of ‘How much does a cable subscription cost per year these days?’ (answer is apparently in excess of $100 US per month for relatively basic service) No thanks, I’ll host my old DVD library (rather extensive, because I liked old shows like MASH/Waltons/Lucy,etc).
Did you get the Intel one or the Pro with amd?