Hi, I'm currently (for a while now) looking to install a media server with some disks on a low-power cpu, preferably ARM.
Barebones just use way to much power (500W etc)

There are a lot of things around but none seem to have what I want. (low power, some disks (softraid) ssd hdmi arm soft: nfs, samba, the usuals)

Anybody has a good suggestion for such a system?

I'm looking to freebsd or debian-family linux as OS. (maybe with xbmc)

any suggestions welcome.

thanks in advance.

You mean you want to use this nas to serve files and not run xbmc right? I know the folks at qnap seem to have some neat nas devices that run arm and they offer some access to the OS.

Dunno about building it. Might be way easier to get a small amd or atom based board and build something.

I think that I want too much from one system.

My goal was to combine a NAS and mediaserver (xbmc-alike) in one silent, low-powered device. Preferably on arm with freebsd9 to be able to comfortably use zfs instead of softraid.

On second viewing, this might be to difficult to combine. I probably should get some silent barebone case which I try to cool as fanless as possible. So I'll probably have to forget about the "low power, arm" thing.

I know qnap has linux-based products but I want something without pre-installed custom os or anything. Looking at lian-li cases at the moment.

thanks.

Lieven

You are kind of in a new world when you go to a new processor model. The amount of users for x86 is way higher than arm. A lot of odd stuff on arm too that makes it difficult to port over projects. Or at least time consuming. I can't imagine the cost could be cheaper with an arm setup. The power use is pretty low on some of the latest amd intel chips. Unless you know of some work already in process, this may be more trouble that it is worth. A common x86 would be easier.

Hi Jefro,

Thanks for your point of view on this. I'm plenty comfortable with x86 and just very curious about the ARM. :-) Willing to spend time and effort to get a nas-htpc working on it.

Because of the general availability of x86-based platforms, I'll probably stick with some integrated chipset like AMD's E450 which seems to do good on the power-side while still delivering enough performance to power full hd.
Already have my mind set on a mini-itx e450 board which will function as the core of a small HTPC with limited disk capacity. To be upgraded to high-disk-capacity NAS in later stages when prices from HD's go back to normal.

thanks again,
Lieven

Hi,

I think that 'FreeNAS' would be better than 'Freebsd' for service in this situation.

Freenas is a software interface built around a collection of scripts and softwares on freebsd using zfs, samba, etc. I prefer a standard freebsd which I'll adapt to my own needs. :-)
The software is really not a problem, it's the hardware that I find hard to decide on.

thanks.

The xbmc part and hdmi in my mind might limit freenas. Just depends on how you want this to work, front or backend.

It really is kind of up to you. There is a freebsd port out there for xbmc. Most of the more common distro's may be more easily supported.

I know there is a lot of talk about arm but no one has shown me such a great reason to start using it. If you know some projects then I'd be interested to see it.

Hi,

Pi Projects

If your loads and support needs will be that intensive then stay with x86. I do not know of any projects for ARM with full support for 'XMBC' development. 'Pi' does support 'HDMI'. 'Pi' is target direct to student use/development. But like other innovations experimenters will get their hands on to improve or enhance usage.

I ordered a 'Pi' through 'Newark' here in the states but the delivery date is in August/12. Hoping the delivery will move up sooner as availability & distribution changes.

In the end, I got me a small htpc:

- antek isk 300-150 case
- asus amd E450 mobo deluxe
- 120 GB SSD
- slimline bluray

It's got ubuntu + xbmc installed Not the openelec or xbmcbuntu version because I wanted a complete Linux system with full support for XBMC. While Gentoo is still my favorite, it's so much easyier to install ubuntu and have all components working. Yes, I'm lazy.
No classic window manager installed but just starting an xbmc session at bootup.

As for the NAS part: maybe I get some qnap in the future if I feel like it but at the moment, I can manage with just the SSD and a silent usb-disk. (cheaper than a nas but works well) And since it's a linux, I can install all the needed components like samba and nfs etc.