NASLite Network Attached Storage

I'm in the planning stage for my first NAS build. Here is what I've got and would love some feedback:

MOBO: MSI 945GT Speedster (unused MOBO from HTPC attempt)
http://www.msicomputer.com/product/p_spec.asp?model=945GT_Speedster-A4R&class=mb

Memory: Kingston 512MB (2 x 256MB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 667 (PC2 5300) $30
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820134194

Sony 256 MB USB (no longer needed by my daughter)

Drives: 4 x Western Digital Caviar GP WD10EACS 1TB 5400 to 7200 RPM $840
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136151

Software: NASLite-2 USB $30

Does this look reasonable?

Is NASLite just a software solution or will it be using the ICH7R chip for hardware RAID?

Will I be able to combine the four drives into one RAID-5 volume of about 3TB or will I be max'd at 2 TB per volume?

Even if NASLite will create a 3 TB volume, will the Windows machines that will be using this NAS be able to recognize the large volume?

TIA
DJK

RAM price is terrible ... you should be able to get at least 1GB for $30 (same speed), or almost 2GB (possibly slower speed, but 2GB is overkill). HDD price is ok ...

ICH7R: Don't think so. This would require software RAID, which NL does not do. You will need a separate card (see forums for many discussions & hardware reference manual for supported cards).

Don't know about the 3TB in Windows ...

64bit XP or vista should support a 2TB+ partition, I say should but don't hold your breath.

Mike

I believe that MB, like most, only supports software RAID, so NASLite will only see each drive independently (4x1 TB instead of 1x4 TB)

you will want a true hardware RAID solution - supported cards are listed in the NASLite hardware reference guide---->

http://www.serverelements.com/file.php? ... erence.pdf


i have a 3Ware 7506-8 in my system, running (currently) 4x500 GB drives, set up in a RAID5 and it works beautifully.

In reference to SATA drives, people seem to have great success with the 3Ware 85xx series (the 75xx is PATA).

NASLite has no RAID built in, just drivers for a fair number of true hardware RAID cards.

Hi, I've seen mention of this a couple of times on the forums and just wanted to confirm: onboard (mobo) RAID isn't guaranteed to work under NASLite, correct? Reason I ask is because I am looking at the EPIA SN10000EG which has 4 SATA ports. The datasheet says it supports RAID 0 and 1, though a user says it also does RAID 5. Either way, I am assuming it is fakeRAID (using VIA drivers I think). So the RAID features absolutely won't work under NASLite?

NASLite will only see the individual drives, no raid functionality.

Thanks for all the great replies. To get true hardware RAID, looks like I will be purchasing a RAID card instead of using the MOBO's ICH7R SATA's.