NASLite Network Attached Storage

As my Christmas project I'm planning to convert our old desktop to a spiffy RAID 1 NASLite server and I'm intending to use a CF card (with adapter) rather than the CD, HDD or USB options. The intention is to have just two Hitachi SATA drives on a 3ware RAID controller. (I'm going to use Hitachi so as to be able to use the Hitachi Feature Tool and have the drives spin down when not in use as the server won't be called upon 24/7) So my question is - do I first need to set up the RAID controller as a RAID 1 array using the WIN XP OS that is on the machine at the moment and only then remove the current HDD, replace it with the CF card and install NASLite? Or can I simply install the RAID controller card and drives, replace the existing HDD with the CF card and then be good to go with the NASLite install?

You should be able to prepare the array using the RAID BIOS. Otherwise, provided the RAID controller is supported (refer to the NASLite-2 Hardware Guide), your plan is feasible.

Many thanks, Tony. The service provided by the guys at Server Elements is reason enough to buy their products.

And having just discovered the joys of PPTP VPN, I'll be able to have my new NAS box (in the UK) readily available to me here in Belgrade. Neat, huh?

Thanks for the kind words sjdigital.

A VPN is the way to go. Good to hear you are taking the right approach.

I've just ordered the CD image and am whiling away the winter evening in Belgrade (although it's actually very balmy weather here) hunting down the best price for the Hitachi drives. Yes, I know I need to get out more!