Linux + MHDDFS vs. WHS

This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 13/09/2009 07:35:08

So, MHDDFS is out for Ubuntu.

http://debaday.debian.net/index.php?s=MHDDFS

http://www.openegg.org/forums/posts/list/84.page#779

With that, we have two good choices for our file servers: Linux + MHDDFS or WHS.

One of my plans is to run my file server under VMware on my Windows box (see the system specs in my signature).
The file server VM would either run Linux + MHDDFS or WHS.
Then, I will assign several physical disks from my physical server to the file server VM for direct use.

Another plan I have is to just install Linux + MHDDFS or WHS on the bare metal server.
The problem with this plan is that I have a some automation scripts and configurations I would need to migrate.

Regardless, which of Linux + MHDDFS or WHS do you guys like?

Brahim wrote:So, MHDDFS is out for Ubuntu.

http://debaday.debian.net/2008/05/25/mhddfs-join-several-real-filesystems-together-to-form-a-single-larger-one/

http://www.openegg.org/forums/posts/list/84.page#779

With that, we have two good choices for our file servers: Linux + MHDDFS or WHS.

One of my plans is to run my file server under VMware on my Windows box (see the system specs in my signature).
The file server VM would either run Linux + MHDDFS or WHS.
Then, I will assign several physical disks from my physical server to the file server VM for direct use.

Another plan I have is to just install Linux + MHDDFS or WHS on the bare metal server.
The problem with this plan is that I have a some automation scripts and configurations I would need to migrate.

Regardless, which of Linux + MHDDFS or WHS do you guys like?

I guess it depends on what ELSE you want/plan to do with the box...

For me, WHS wins due to it's "whole house" backup solution that Just Works (tm). Every machine is backed up every night. No muss, no fuss.

Pair that with the WHS console and added services; in my case: DHCP and some Picture/Web publishing, all controlled/managed through the Console. This makes WHS pretty much the best you can get right now for point and shoot home services.

Yes, you can do all of this with *nix or windows server... but you don't get the ease of management that WHS and it's console bring. And I'm willing to give up a bit of performance and a few advanced features for ease of use.

HOWEVER, if you're looking for more focused services/applications, then *nix might make more sense for you.

Prelector wrote:
I guess it depends on what ELSE you want/plan to do with the box...

For me, WHS wins due to it's "whole house" backup solution that Just Works (tm). Every machine is backed up every night. No muss, no fuss.

Pair that with the WHS console and added services; in my case: DHCP and some Picture/Web publishing, all controlled/managed through the Console. This makes WHS pretty much the best you can get right now for point and shoot home services.

Yes, you can do all of this with *nix or windows server... but you don't get the ease of management that WHS and it's console bring. And I'm willing to give up a bit of performance and a few advanced features for ease of use.

HOWEVER, if you're looking for more focused services/applications, then *nix might make more sense for you.

Very good points.
Right now I am using Norton Ghost and Windows built-in backup utility (for system state backups) for my backups, but I have been thinking of giving WHS a try.

The way I see things, I might end up using both.

Is it possible to assign a network share to WHS for use for the backups storage?

Brahim wrote:Is it possible to assign a network share to WHS for use for the backups storage?

No, WHS stores the backups in hidden directories on the DATA drives, but not as part of any shares. They can be managed through the console however, will save/delete/backup options all available.

Prelector wrote:

No, WHS stores the backups in hidden directories on the DATA drives, but not as part of any shares. They can be managed through the console however, will save/delete/backup options all available.

Hum... that sucks.

Does that mean you cannot have the backups as part of what's gets duplicated?

My backups are highly important to me. So, I mirror them.

Brahim wrote:

Prelector wrote:

No, WHS stores the backups in hidden directories on the DATA drives, but not as part of any shares. They can be managed through the console however, will save/delete/backup options all available.

Hum... that sucks.
Does that mean you cannot have the backups as part of what's gets duplicated?

My backups are highly important to me. So, I mirror them.

That is correct, they are not duplicated. However, there is a "add in" that will allow for backing up the backup database: http://www.mediasmartserver.net/forums/viewtopic.php?t=2066

That add in allows for Offline backup of the database, to either a designated "WHS Backup Drive", a seperate hard drive (not managed by WHS), or to the WHS shares, where it could then be duplicated.

One more HUGE bonus to me about WHS: all WHS backups can be mounted and opened, with full access to all of the files, by any WHS connected client PC. This allows you to view and restore individual files, in addition to entire volumes.

Well, I vote for Linux + MHDDFS. My goal is to run Ubuntu + FlexRaid + funionfs from a 4GB USB flash drive. That way I don't have to install anything and can let friends borrow or make a copy so they can try FlexRaid in their system. Although possible, it's really difficult to do that with WHS...
Like mhddfs, funionfs will aggregate or join filesystems. I think mhddfs has more options, but funionfs has been available for a while so that's what I use for now.

One more HUGE bonus to me about WHS: all WHS backups can be mounted and opened, with full access to all of the files, by any WHS connected client PC. This allows you to view and restore individual files, in addition to entire volumes.

This is true of recent OS/hard-drive/partition backup solutions these days. Norton Ghost and partimage (from the SystemRescueCD freeware) do that. I do agree that WHS is easier to use but IMHO it's not worth the $$$. Also, I can't legally make copies and give them to my friends.

Yep, I personally love Norton Ghost.

Is the WHS backup similar to GhostCast? or does it use shadow copy?

Looks interesting, I have been searching for something like that a while ago. Have you tried union-fs? I think they got it inside the kernel a few months ago.

I prefer WHS for the extra services I install.
One very important one is Orb with enabled even a TV tuner (for streaming)...

I also hate fighting with drivers again.

I was using a Slackware solution - no more.

Brahim wrote:Is the WHS backup similar to GhostCast? or does it use shadow copy?

The only detail I know about (which I really like) is that it uses single instance stoarge. So if you have several client PCs with similar data (same OS, same programs, etc.), this can really cut down on back-up storage space. Any files that are duplicated on multiple machines is only stored in the back-up once (like exchange server does).

I'm curious, never having messed with anything other than MS.

I only have windows clients, can a linux + mhddfs use ntfs?

It's a must that I can take a disk out and mount it in any MS machine :o

Ramshackles wrote:I'm curious, never having messed with anything other than MS.

I only have windows clients, can a linux + mhddfs use ntfs?

It's a must that I can take a disk out and mount it in any MS machine :o

Why would you want to use NTFS under Linux?
The better question would be if you could access your mhddfs share over Samba.
That however, I don't know.

mainly because i've used a qnap nas and when it died on me, i had a few problems getting the data from the disks to my windows machine really

i would need that access, it's purpose is media streaming server so

i'll wait till you've sorted some of the rc7 views problems, then that is perfect for my needs really

Ramshackles wrote:mainly because i've used a qnap nas and when it died on me, i had a few problems getting the data from the disks to my windows machine really

i would need that access, it's purpose is media streaming server so

i'll wait till you've sorted some of the rc7 views problems, then that is perfect for my needs really

Good plan.

I guess I got a little selfish as FlexRAID-View is working just fine for my particular configurations.
However, I am spending more development time on it now.