HP Microserver N54L

jmitservices

jmitservices

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Hello there!

Just purchased a HP Microserver N54L and just have a few questions.

I'm looking at using it for a NAS and a PXE Server for OS installs.

For the Nas side of things I'm probably going to go with FreeNas. However I'm not sure about the drive configuration.

I'm thinking of getting two of these '3TB Western Digital Red WD30EFRX 3.5" SATA III Hard Drive' to start with running RAID1.

Lets say I wanted to expand my storage is it possible to join two of these drives together, giving me 6TB of storage and then raiding it to another two?

The next question... What OS shall I use? I was thinking of using Windows (not too familiar with linux) and then possibly running a VM for the FreeNas? And then run the pxe server on the host OS.

Just not sure what to do! Any suggestions welcomed!

Thanks,
Jason
 
I have 2 x N40Ls one as my main computer running Win8 :rolleyes: and one running Win 7 professional with 4 data drives only. I have a Synology nas running a backup and raid 1. I have a N54L on order which I plan to run Ubuntu etc as my PXE imaging server so i'm interested in this thread as well.
 
With RAID 1 you have a more limited and difficult upgrade path.
5 gives you easier options(simply add a drive or two)
Some higher end RAID controllers allow expanding RAID 10....I have a hunch that little box wont.
 
Last edited:
I think the server only supports RAID 0 and 1.

I've got about 1TB worth of data I need to back-up. I think if I went down the RAID5 route, it would get pretty pricey on drives.
 
Last edited:
YeOldeStonecat said:
With RAID 1 you have a more limited and difficult upgrade path.
5 gives you easier options(simply add a drive or two)
Some higher end RAID controllers allow expanding RAID 10....I have a hunch that little box wont.
Click to expand...

Nah, it's software/fakeRAID only. And with a low wattage 2GHz CPU (gets around 1350 Passmark so equivalent to ~2GHz Core2; better than Atom but slow enough), software RAID5 is probably not a good idea.

jmutton said:
The next question... What OS shall I use? I was thinking of using Windows (not too familiar with linux) and then possibly running a VM for the FreeNas? And then run the pxe server on the host OS.
Click to expand...

The N40L / N36L are able to run ESXi (even though they're not on the compatibility list) although 2GB is a bit tight. While they ship with ECC, they're able to take normal RAM too and in fact unusually the AMD controller can mix so can just stick a 4GB DDR3 in there, install ESXi and learn a few things. Don't think FreeNAS as a VM under Windows is such a good idea.

There are two Microserver wikis out there too:
http://n40l.wikia.com/wiki/HP_MicroServer_N40L_Wiki
http://myhpmicroserver.com/wiki/Main_Page
 
jmutton said:
I think the server only supports RAID 0 and 1.

I've got about 1TB worth of data I need to back-up. I think if I went down the RAID5 route, it would get pretty pricey on drives.
Click to expand...

In it's BIOS...yeah..but it's fake-RAID BIOS so using software RAID in a host OS is equal...if not a little better. Thus opening up your options. It doesn't get pricey to go with RAID 5....you can start with 3 drives...and even expand to 4 if you find that modified BIOS out there which unlocks a 5th SATA port on the mobo.
 
I have not seen one with an upgraded or 3rd party RAID controller in it.
Based on this article at HP, it seems possible..someone installed a P400 RAID card.
http://h20000.www2.hp.com/bizsuppor...d=4248009&prodTypeId=15351&objectID=c03445276

Haven't searched the latest quickspec sheet to see if there options now. I'd say it's possible....but much like with cloners/home builts....reliability will always be in questions because you don't know what kind of compatibility issues or quirks there will be.
 
Oh, yes sorry. It was a long time ago when I had a N36L and tried ESXi.

Yep, BSD doesn't have much support. But back when I did have that N36L with ESXi, I saw plenty of Linux NAS distros too. Those should be a far better bet trying to get virtualised.
 
Just thought I'd give you an update...

Managed to get ESXi installed. However I found out that ESXi actually needs the full 2GB of RAM available and of course some of the memory is being pinched for the internal video.

Luckily I had a 4GB Kingston (Non ECC) memory stick kicking around. I'm so impressed with ESXi. Really going to have some fun playing around with it!

Because I haven't got the drives for the FreeNas yet I'm looking into the PXE Server first.

Really not sure if I should use Windows and something like Serva or tftpd32.

Or

Run an Ubuntu based PXE server.

However I haven't had a lot of hands on experience with linux.
 
Slowly putting together my PXE menu

pxe-menu.png
 
Just upgraded the RAM in my server to 8GB today.

I can confirm that this memory works fine:
8GB Exceleram Value Series LP E30141A (2x4GB) 1600 (PC3-12800) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM CAS 9-9-9-24 1.5V
 
Haven't really done much more to the server yet. I've managed to pick-up a HP Smart Array P420 Controller and battery for it. But haven't made the plunge into actually buying any hard drives for it yet. Working perfectly in my workshop as a pxe server :)
 
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