Evolution of My Home Server: From a Slim PC to an Unraid Powerhouse (Part 1)
Intro:
In the world of technology, evolution is inevitable, and my journey with a home server is a testament to this. It all started with a humble setup—a slim PC with a USB HDD attached—my initial attempt at having a home server. However, as my needs grew, so did my aspirations for a more robust solution.
The eBay Finds:
After realizing the limitations of my makeshift home server, I decided to invest in a more capable setup. In my quest for an upgrade, I turned to eBay, where I stumbled upon a promising solution—a cheap HP Z230 workstation. The workstation featured an i5-4570 processor and 8GB of RAM, providing a substantial performance boost compared to my previous setup.
Milestones:
Feb 18, 2021: USB Key Created
The journey began with the creation of a USB key, a crucial step towards shaping my new server environment. Unraid, known for its user-friendly interface and robust storage management, would soon become the backbone of my evolving home server setup.
Feb 25, 2021: Server First Booted
A defining moment: the first boot of the HP Z230 workstation. With its i5-4570 processor and 8GB RAM, it marked a significant leap from my previous setup. Accompanied by three HDDs, this marked the birth of my evolving home server.
Feb 28, 2021: Storage and Usage Metrics
As the server started to take shape, I watched as 2.9 TB of storage out of 7.0 TB was quickly utilized, signaling the server's growing role in managing my digital resources.
Mar 10, 2021: Transition to Basic Key
Embracing the potential of my server, I made the transition from a trial version to the Basic Key. I was happy with Unraid at this point.
Mar 11, 2021: Relocation and Stability
With the server still sporting 8GB RAM, I relocated it upstairs, seeking an optimal environment for its operation.
Mar 27, 2021: RAM Upgrade
A pivotal upgrade came in the form of a RAM boost, courtesy of Darrin. The 16GB RAM infusion further enhanced the server's multitasking capabilities.
Aug 21, 2021: Uptime and Software Upgrade
Celebrating a noteworthy milestone, my server achieved 120 days of uninterrupted operation. At this point, I upgraded to Unraid version 6.9.2 from 6.8. ? with no issues.
Oct 01, 2021: RAM Reinforcement
Brandon's contribution played a pivotal role in the server's evolution. A staggering 32GB RAM upgrade gave me enough room to host 2 (!) minecraft servers.
Nov 07, 2021: Containerization and Virtualization
At this juncture, the server managed approximately 72.5% of its 7TB storage, hosting an impressive array of 21 containers and 1 VM, including two Minecraft servers consuming 11GB of RAM.
Feb 12, 2022: Expanded Storage and Utilization
A 4TB drive augmentation significantly bolstered storage, reaching 11TB in total. The server now held 23 containers, utilizing 22GB of RAM.
Challenges with the Z230 Workstation: Dust, Cooling, and HDD Heat
Dust Accumulation and Maintenance: The Z230 workstation was susceptible to dust accumulation due to its design, requiring regular cleaning to prevent performance issues caused by clogged components.
Limited Cooling: Equipped with only one fan, the Z230 struggled with cooling, particularly when managing multiple hard drives. 45C heat warnings were often tripped ...
HDD Heat and Performance Impact: Heat generated by closely-packed hard drives posed a risk to performance and longevity. This 45C steady state, dust baked drives situation would have to change soon ..........
Read on to Part 2!
doreets