Leal, The entire configuration through our corporation is being defined. One of our team members is heavy into EMC - 200Tb is his "normal" operating range. However, for this need we are focused just on local "smart appliances" the purpose of which is to do more than just automatically mirror the entirety of another local computer. What is desired is "reliable and cheap", plus remotely controlled, virus-free, and easily updated by the local bone-head.
We expect to have many of these appliances, each in a separate spot in the world, each serving one local computer (operated by one local bone-head), and each reporting to one common central repository via internet. We don't expect the appliance to have (relatively) much CPU stress, but the files are rather large (video, animation, and all the underlying constructs, tracks, and undo's thereof). We've come to the conclusion that hardware raid of any sort is not required. Remember, the source data on Local Bone-Head's computer (not being disparaging, just being practical that an un-supervised person thousands of miles away has to be considered less-than-optimal in computuer habits) is being copied to a ZFS machine (backup location number one) and then forwarded to a central repository (backup location number two) which will itself have a mirror in some distant location (backup location number three). We'll try compression level #9. We'll set "scrub" to 30 days automatic. We'll have unique virus protection: the bootable drive will be read-only. Here's the configuration we'll build for our first appliance: Case: Antek NSK 1380 - Mini ATX format with a 5.25 + (3) 3.5 drive "bays" and 350w powersupply and 120mm fan, plus interior side fan (uses one PSI slot). MOBO: still to be determined, but we are currently evaluating ASUS P5E-VM, LGA775 Intel G35 northbridge and ICH9R southbridge. Comes with 4 memory slots of dual-channel DDR2. (2)PCIx-1, (1)PCIx-16, (1)PCI, (6)SATA 3Gbs, (1)IDE PATA, (1)FDD, (6)USB, (1)Firewire, 5.1surround, HDMI, XVGA, PS/2 (mouse/keybd), (1)gigaport LAN, (1)coaxial S/PDIF, RAID controller, and a flaky bios that needs immediate flash update before doing anything. But wait! Most of those features will go unused (read on). Setup: (1) single-core CPU, minimizing heat being the most important factor. (8) gb memory (4x2gb) w/heat spreader (3) 500gb 7,200rpm "whatever's in stock cheapest" drives C: D: E: 100% use as ZFS tank, raidz-1. No floppy, no CD, no DVD, no boot from C: or D: or E: Shut off sound, Firewire, S/PDIF (and anything else we can figure out how) BOOT & run from 4gb USB FLASH (thumb) DRIVE "F:"- READ ONLY! (0)monitors, (0)keyboards, (0)mice - operate remotely via Internet Software (all loaded onto the Flash Drive): OpenSolaris ZFS PostgreSQL Python A browser A VPN Our Patch/Upgrade pipeline: FedEx a replacement read-only USB FLASH DRIVE We think we can get a brand-new 1Tb custom appliance for about $900 US. We understand there will be a learning curve to this, but are willing to cut ourselves on the bleeding edge. We think each part (with the possible exception of the mobo) has been successfuly employed - that we are just the first to assemble it all in this particular fashion. (Many thanks, Richard - chime in if I left anything out) David This message posted from opensolaris.org _______________________________________________ zfs-discuss mailing list zfs-discuss@opensolaris.org http://mail.opensolaris.org/mailman/listinfo/zfs-discuss
