Hello, I managed to get my hands on a second hand Proliant HPE server that I want to turn into a media server for myself (possibly family too).
I also have a bunch of drivers lying around in all different sizes. I want a good balance of security, backup and flexibility for the future. So hear my plan out:
- Running Ubuntu server LTS on SAS 600gb disks (now it’s in raid5 array with 3 identical disks but I probably want to change that and take out some disks from it for my data)
- hardware raid 0 on the various single disks (with HPE smart array)
- mergerfs and snapraid for a “raid” and backup (I read some information about it and I think for my use is the best option)
- Headscale VPN (basically Foss tailscale implementation) for remote connection and mesh network
- Docker with all apps
I’m no expert on servers or RAIDs or HPE. What do you think? I’m mostly worried about the hardware raid 0 + Snapraid, is it doable?
I read online that the controller failure is a thing and not that uncommon. I really don’t want to rely on HP hardware tbh.
Parts fail all the time. The problem with hardware raid is you need a compatible controller or none of the data can be read even though it is still on the physical disks. Computer hardware is often only made for a few months before there is a new model and so you are risking that the manufacture really made the new model work with what you have. That is assuming the manufacture doesn’t go out of business which could happen without warning. \
Also, if hardware breaks that is often a good excuse to replace it - odds are better hardware is available for the same price and sometimes a lot less $ - with hardware raid you are stuck paying whatever price they charge.
Got it, thanks! Yes for my personal use I rather not rely on HP hardware at all and disable the whole raid thing entirely.