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[[Category:Home Server]]
 
[[Category:Home Server]]
 
[[File:Odroid-cluster.png|350px|thumb|right|A cluster of Odroid HC2]]
 
[[File:Odroid-cluster.png|350px|thumb|right|A cluster of Odroid HC2]]
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For simple home server use, such as a file server or single user direct play PLEX server, these options might be an appealing and inexpensive and energy efficient option for your home server. Expect performance issues if you try to scale though, and don't expect to be able to run multiple virtual machines or do heavy transcoding, you don't have many options for expansion and little to no options for upgrading either. Forget a hardware RAID card or having any SATA ports at all. You likely won't be able to add much more ram, and definitely won't be able to increase processing power unless you go the clustering route and purchase multiple units. If your use case is compute intensive or would require expansion cards (like a [[GPU]] for example) SBCs are likely not a good option.
 
  
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If you decide to go with an ARM-based board be aware that some software will not work because it is only available for x86-based CPUs.
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For simple home server use, such as a file server or single user direct play PLEX server, these options are an inexpensive and energy efficient option for a home server. But, you will encounter performance issues if you try to load up your single board computer (SBC) and don't expect to be able to run virtual machines or transcoding.
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The reason is usually that the software is [[proprietary]] and was only ever released for x86.
 
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Among ARM-based SBCs the [[Raspberry Pi]] has by far the best software support as it has the largest userbase.
 
  
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Connecting hard drives via USB docks may have some performance impact. Use USB 3 where possible and don't attach too many drives to a single port.  
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===Pros===
 +
* Silent operation (no fans).
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* Low cost.
 +
* Minimal hardware complexity.
 +
* Easy to get up and running quickly.
  
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* [[Raspberry Pi]]
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===Cons===
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** [https://www.raspberrypi.org/products/raspberry-pi-4-model-b/ Rpi4 recommended] - Better Ethernet and more powerful than the 3b.
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* Expansion and upgrades are very limited.
 +
* Nearly non-existent SATA ports.
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* Limited USB ports.
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* Adding more drives through USB can be slow and unreliable.
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* MicroSD cards are unreliable.
  
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* [[Odroid]]
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'''TL;DR''' an SBC is a fantastic entry into the world of home servers. Just don't plan on running everything off of it forever.
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** [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mLLKP21nXyg Odroid N2+ recommended]
 
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** [https://forum.odroid.com/viewtopic.php?f=29&t=40609 Ondroid HC4 storage server] - Cheap two drive system
 
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** [https://magazine.odroid.com/article/200tb-glusterfs-server-using-the-odroid-hc2-for-massively-distributed-applications/ Odroid HC2 is an option] - if you don't mind dipping your toes into distributed systems.  
 
  
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* NanoPi
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==SBC Choices==
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** [https://www.friendlyarm.com/index.php?route=product/product&path=69&product_id=268 NanoPi M4V2] More expensive than a Rpi4 but more powerful hardware with the option to install a x4 SATA HAT.
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===Raspberry Pi===
 +
[[File:Raspberry-pi-5-with-cooler.jpg|350px|thumb|right|The Raspberry Pi 5 with a fan attached.]]
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The legendary [[Raspberry Pi]] is the gold standard of single board computers. The ecosystem features extensive hardware support and countless guides solving every issue you may encounter.
  
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* Intel NUC
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There are a few models to choose from:
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** Search your NUC [https://ark.intel.com/content/www/us/en/ark.html#@Intel%C2%AENUC here] for more information on it
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* [https://www.raspberrypi.com/products/raspberry-pi-5/ Raspberry Pi 5]. The most powerful Pi with a 2.4GHz CPU and up to 8GB of RAM. But this comes at a price: you won't be able to find this board under $100. Performs best with active cooling (a fan).
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NUCs have significantly more power than a SBC, and are exclusively Intel-based. They run the gamut from small celerons to some of Intel's most powerful mobile chipsets. Very feature-rich, most all of them will include quicksync features for transcoding, and have some amount of expansion capabilities (adding/changing ram, additional SSD in some cases). NUCs will also be significantly more expensive than the above listed SBCs.
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* [https://www.raspberrypi.com/products/raspberry-pi-4-model-b/ Raspberry Pi 4 Model B]. Features 2 USB3 ports and up to 8GB of RAM. This model is a great balance between price and performance. About $80.
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* [https://www.raspberrypi.com/products/raspberry-pi-3-model-b-plus/ Raspberry Pi 3 Model B+]. The oldest Pi still in production. It lacks USB3 and only has 1GB of RAM, but it is the most affordable at $50.
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* [https://www.raspberrypi.com/products/raspberry-pi-zero-2-w/ Raspberry Pi Zero 2 W]. Broke-tier Pi at $30.
 +
 
 +
You'll want a beefy power supply and a case for your Pi.
 +
 
 +
===Misc.===
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Lots of affordable devices from manufacturers [https://www.banana-pi.org/en/products/ Banana Pi], [http://www.orangepi.org/html/hardWare/computerAndMicrocontrollers/index.html Orange Pi], [https://www.hardkernel.com/product/ ODROID], and [https://www.friendlyelec.com/index.php?route=product/category&path=69 NanoPi]. You should browse their product catalogs. Some highlights include:
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* [https://wiki.banana-pi.org/Banana_Pi_BPI-R64 Banana Pi BPI-R64]. 5 Ethernet ports.
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* [http://www.orangepi.org/html/hardWare/computerAndMicrocontrollers/details/orange-pi-R1-Plus-LTS.html Orange Pi R1 Plus LTS]. Dual gigabit Ethernet.
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* [https://www.hardkernel.com/shop/odroid-n2-with-4gbyte-ram-2/ ODROID N2+]. Lots of hardware features.
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* [https://www.hardkernel.com/shop/odroid-hc4/ ODROID HC4]. 2 SATA ports.
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* [https://www.friendlyelec.com/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=268 NanoPi M4V2] Raspberry Pi clone. Lots of cool hats such as the [https://www.friendlyelec.com/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=254 4x SATA hat].
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==Intel NUCs and Thin clients==
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[[File:Intel-nuc.jpg|thumb|right|Intel NUC]]
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[[File:Dell-wyse-5070-slim.jpg|thumb|left|Dell Wyse 5070 thin client]]
 +
 
 +
''NUCs'' (Intel's name for a mini-PC) are significantly more powerful than a SBC but keep a similar form factor and efficiency. These run into the $500s new but can be found used for under $200. Just make sure you get one made within the last 10 years or else you will end up with a slow, power hungry paperweight.
 +
 
 +
''Thin clients'' are desktop PCs used for as a remote desktop terminal in corporate environments ([https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thin_client more info here]). They are typically larger than a NUC and sometimes have room for a second SSD, RAM upgrades, or even rear IO modules. Thin clients are sometimes a bit cheaper than a NUC.
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 +
 
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The HP T620 Plus is also cool.
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* https://www.servethehome.com/hp-t620-plus-thin-client-and-firewall-vpn-appliance
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* [https://youtu.be/VCiIsDHIoU8 Overview]
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* [https://youtu.be/cRSZ_pDO1SY Buyers guide]
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* [https://youtu.be/pV1iPJ6vmhE Upgrade RAM]

Latest revision as of 20:19, 25 February 2024

A cluster of Odroid HC2

For simple home server use, such as a file server or single user direct play PLEX server, these options are an inexpensive and energy efficient option for a home server. But, you will encounter performance issues if you try to load up your single board computer (SBC) and don't expect to be able to run virtual machines or transcoding.

Pros

  • Silent operation (no fans).
  • Low cost.
  • Minimal hardware complexity.
  • Easy to get up and running quickly.

Cons

  • Expansion and upgrades are very limited.
  • Nearly non-existent SATA ports.
  • Limited USB ports.
  • Adding more drives through USB can be slow and unreliable.
  • MicroSD cards are unreliable.

TL;DR an SBC is a fantastic entry into the world of home servers. Just don't plan on running everything off of it forever.

SBC Choices

Raspberry Pi

The Raspberry Pi 5 with a fan attached.

The legendary Raspberry Pi is the gold standard of single board computers. The ecosystem features extensive hardware support and countless guides solving every issue you may encounter.

There are a few models to choose from:

  • Raspberry Pi 5. The most powerful Pi with a 2.4GHz CPU and up to 8GB of RAM. But this comes at a price: you won't be able to find this board under $100. Performs best with active cooling (a fan).
  • Raspberry Pi 4 Model B. Features 2 USB3 ports and up to 8GB of RAM. This model is a great balance between price and performance. About $80.
  • Raspberry Pi 3 Model B+. The oldest Pi still in production. It lacks USB3 and only has 1GB of RAM, but it is the most affordable at $50.
  • Raspberry Pi Zero 2 W. Broke-tier Pi at $30.

You'll want a beefy power supply and a case for your Pi.

Misc.

Lots of affordable devices from manufacturers Banana Pi, Orange Pi, ODROID, and NanoPi. You should browse their product catalogs. Some highlights include:

Intel NUCs and Thin clients

Intel NUC
Dell Wyse 5070 thin client

NUCs (Intel's name for a mini-PC) are significantly more powerful than a SBC but keep a similar form factor and efficiency. These run into the $500s new but can be found used for under $200. Just make sure you get one made within the last 10 years or else you will end up with a slow, power hungry paperweight.

Thin clients are desktop PCs used for as a remote desktop terminal in corporate environments (more info here). They are typically larger than a NUC and sometimes have room for a second SSD, RAM upgrades, or even rear IO modules. Thin clients are sometimes a bit cheaper than a NUC.


The HP T620 Plus is also cool.

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