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?

  • TechyTochy@sh.itjust.worksOPEnglish
    2·
    11 days ago

    Okay after a some search looks like I have 3 options:

    • stick to my original plan but consider multiple points of failure (controller and Raid 0 on single disks)
    • The “IT” mode for HPE is called HBA but as far as I read it just creates a bunch of RAID 0 single drives (lol). I also need to update bios firmware because I don’t have this mode on my controller (huge pain in the ass)
    • Just switch from the Dynamic Smart Array RAID to legacy SATA AHCI and bypass hardware raid completely and switch off the controller. I need to reinstall ubuntu and headscale though :’(

    I think i will go with the last one.