DIY NAS, on it's way but have a major stumbling block

[Chrisoldinho]

I've ressurected my old PC, a 2.2Ghz (overclocked to 2.4 - will detune again as stability is more important than performance here) with 512MB SD RAM PC133 and 2x 40GB ATA100 HDD's ( one of the HDD's has an error on it at about 35GB so I can only partition the first 34GB ish before it goes wrong ) - But they are both identical so I was considering some form of RAID array on them. It also has a 10/100 NIC. I sold the dedicated graphics card as it's not any use on this project.

I'm going to install FreeNAS on it as that seems ideal, but I have one BIG hitch.

The case, it's just too big. I'm wanting to put my newly created NAS in a Cabinet and the dimensions of the case are both too high and deep.

Can anyone recommend a dirt cheap (otherwise not worthwhile) Mini Chassis (no more than 35cm high, 25cm deep including the power cable)? I have about 45cm to play with in width so ideally a Horizontal case would be the best bet I think, somekind of mini horizontal case. Donations gladly accepted

I don't want to spend £60 on a basic NAS when all I need is a smaller case.

If it's possible to connect the NAS to the Router Wirelessly I have a Wireless NIC and would be happy to do this at the expense of performance.

Thanks for any help, Chris.

 

[ralphmalph]

Freenas cab work with wireless cards, but they do not recommend it. You may have to set it up using a wired connection at first and then when it is as you want it just use the wireless then.

I use freenas and it has been very stable and very good value.

 

[Chrisoldinho]

Freenas cab work with wireless cards, but they do not recommend it. You may have to set it up using a wired connection at first and then when it is as you want it just use the wireless then.

I use freenas and it has been very stable and very good value.

Thanks for the response, I might do this for the time being then as it'll give me a lot of flexibility and all other devices in my home are Wireless so having one device that is Ethernet won't make a great deal of difference - obviously long term I will just buy a NAS - Bit this is a good temporary fix

 

[ralphmalph]

I can guarantee that after you use freenas for a while you will not buy a dedicated NAS. You will realise that you would lose too much functionality and flexibility and performance.

You may well buy some more harddisks to put into your freenas box though.