Finished sagetv server

[AJ Bertelson]

Finally finished my sagetv server system tonight





-found this old cold cathode in the closet so I figured I could put some use to it. I also changed the configuation around a little bit by removing the non-working tnt and replacing it with a GF2 and also removing the the twin fan cooler. Access cards should be here tomorrow from directv so now I can get my 3 tuner system up and running.

also I finished up the wiring for this thing yesterday.




access cards came (woot!)


Some more wiring detail




The specs of the server are
AMD1600
Epox Nforce2
256mb of ram
Some cheap nic
PVR250
(2)PVR150's
200gb drive

All in all pretty slick and I won't have anymore scheduling conflicts.

[Wakecrash]

Is that 4 different models of DTV recievers? You control through serial control or IR? Any problems?

That is one massive case.

[stanger89]

Hey, I told you all I'd post pics of mine

First the toys:


Now the Server itself:


The obligatory Windows disk properties screenshot:


And the Sage Video Library:



I'm still not done ripping, almost half way there now

Here's the specs:

TTGI Server case (can't remember the model though)
Abit NF7-S2G
Althon XP 1800+
512MB Corsair XMS 3200
Radeon 9500
3ware Escalade 7506-8
8x 250GB Western Digitals (DVD Library)
1x 160GB Seagate (misc stuff)
1x 74GB Western Digital Raptor (10k Boot drive)

I think I'm going to move the storage to it's own PC, I had my this PC crash the other day and the array has been "Initalizing" ever since. Right now I'm pondering busting out the old K6 450 and loading my storage in it and running SME-Server to manage it all. We'll see, I'm also somewhat waiting to see what comes from CES

[AJ Bertelson]

Originally Posted by Wakecrash

Is that 4 different models of DTV recievers? You control through serial control or IR? Any problems?

That is one massive case.

yea it is 4 different directv receivers, the IR transmitter is a USB-UIRT and it has no problems controlling them. You can use like receivers but you have to buy a device that plugs into the back of the UIRT and then tape the emmitters to the receivers.


stanger I suggest moving your mass storage PC to a different one, if you look behind the sage server you can see my file server. I am going to build a internal rack in the sage servers case and swap all the components from one case to another.

Where did you pick up the 250gb drives and how do you like the 3ware card. I am going to build a raid5 system someday but I am waiting for the 400gb drives to drop in price.

[stanger89]

I probably should have been more spacific, but this isn't my HTPC. The storage is currently in my workstation so I've got it pretty well cooled, and all, and noise isn't a real concern. But I think with that much data, I'd just rather have it in a machine that doesn't get messed with .

I'm sort of on the fence about what to do though, with CES coming and the hints that have been dropped, I'm hoping for a linux based SageTV server so I can throw the storage, Sage, and my tuner(s) in a linux "server" and leave it. In ways, I prefer linux, but until I can run all the apps I want on it, and get the quality I require, I wont switch.

As for where I got by drives, I got 4 from Mikbro (a steal), then waivered back and forth about what to do, I needed a RAID card but should I get a 4 port, an 8 port and leave half empty, 8 and fill it, fill the rest with 400GB HDDs?

After much thought and some calculations I made my decission. 750 GB wouldn't hold my collection, and filling it with 250's now gave me the best $/GB, so I went for it. So I ordered the other 4 HDDs and RAID card from newegg, a pretty good deal there to. Even got a volume discount .

As for how do I like my 3ware, it's great, it's actually my second, I had a 6400 (that I sold because I only had 4x40GBs on it) and I've never had a bad experience with them. Ideally, I'd go with a 9500s-12 and start loading it with 400GB SATA drives (assuming OCE gets finished for them). But right now the 7500s are about $100 less than the SATA controllers and PATA 250s are so cheap (I averaged about $120/drive) so it was by far the most cost effective way to get my array.

[Cayars]

AJ why on earth did you put your electronics near the heater/air conditioner?

Seems like a very bad place to stash the rack of stuff as there are all kinds of things that can go wrong in that location. If my equipment was located there I'd have toasted twice in 8 years with AC issues and a cracked condensation return line.

At least get the computers up off the floor.

Other then the what's said above it looks like you put together a very nice system.

[AJ Bertelson]

The computers are fine but I may put a small fan near the receivers since they seem to get a bit warm.

[GbrNole]

nice server setup!

but as cayars mentioned i'd certainly want to get that pc at least 2 inches off the floor with maybe a splash guard over it?

we learnt the hard way at my office that it's a very poor idea to stick a server in an open but dedicated air return closet because we didn't consider that the indoor unit was located directly over the closet. needless to say the drain pan backed up one weekend and poured a hearty amount of condensate right on top of the server.

now that sucked! it's a shame really because it was a great place for it being always nice and cool with air passing over it fairly constantly.

[AJ Bertelson]

Based upon the recomendations I changed the room around a bit

servers lifted off the floor


Rotating fan that cools all recievers and multiswitch, receivers have gaps in between them to aid in cooling.

[sixdoubleo]

Originally Posted by stanger89

I probably should have been more spacific, but this isn't my HTPC. The storage is currently in my workstation so I've got it pretty well cooled, and all, and noise isn't a real concern. But I think with that much data, I'd just rather have it in a machine that doesn't get messed with .

I'm sort of on the fence about what to do though, with CES coming and the hints that have been dropped, I'm hoping for a linux based SageTV server so I can throw the storage, Sage, and my tuner(s) in a linux "server" and leave it. In ways, I prefer linux, but until I can run all the apps I want on it, and get the quality I require, I wont switch.

As for where I got by drives, I got 4 from Mikbro (a steal), then waivered back and forth about what to do, I needed a RAID card but should I get a 4 port, an 8 port and leave half empty, 8 and fill it, fill the rest with 400GB HDDs?

After much thought and some calculations I made my decission. 750 GB wouldn't hold my collection, and filling it with 250's now gave me the best $/GB, so I went for it. So I ordered the other 4 HDDs and RAID card from newegg, a pretty good deal there to. Even got a volume discount .

As for how do I like my 3ware, it's great, it's actually my second, I had a 6400 (that I sold because I only had 4x40GBs on it) and I've never had a bad experience with them. Ideally, I'd go with a 9500s-12 and start loading it with 400GB SATA drives (assuming OCE gets finished for them). But right now the 7500s are about $100 less than the SATA controllers and PATA 250s are so cheap (I averaged about $120/drive) so it was by far the most cost effective way to get my array.

How are you (or ARE you) backing this up? I currently use a "backup server". Basically a cheapo ECS Motherboard w/AMD Sempron 2400+, 256MB RAM and a couple 300GB drives. It runs Fedora Core and Samba. All machines backup to it. Obviously you'd need at least 1.5TB to match your current storage. Just wondering what your position was on backup.

[sixdoubleo]

This is interesting. I always like looking at pictures/diagrams of other people's networks and setups. Here's a few of mine...

USBUIRT IR Pigtail Build and dual tuner setup
http://www.akinstech.com/display.asp...b/ht/irpigtail

My Sage, Windows AD, and Linux backup Servers (before the dual tuner swap)
http://www.akinstech.com/filelib/aki...et/servers.jpg

My patch panel, cable modem, netgear router and wiring...
http://www.akinstech.com/filelib/aki...atchpanel3.jpg

Network Layout
http://www.akinstech.com/filelib/aki...echDiagram.pdf

Anyway....I'd love to see a thread for posting your setups/pics/specs/etc. Nicely done AJ.

[stanger89]

Originally Posted by sixdoubleo

How are you (or ARE you) backing this up?

I have all the original DVDs.

[sixdoubleo]

Originally Posted by stanger89

I have all the original DVDs.

What about recorded shows? Just wondering.

FWIW, I am not backing up any Sage recorded content. I figure if I lose it I lose it. I do backup my ripped music (it would take months to rerip) but it's only about 60GB.

[AJ Bertelson]

six,
how did you get this to display?
http://www.akinstech.com/display.asp...=1&numfiles=14

[sixdoubleo]

Originally Posted by AJ Bertelson

six,
how did you get this to display?
http://www.akinstech.com/display.asp...=1&numfiles=14

I don't know. I just went to "View Upcoming Recording Schedule" and it did that.

But now that you mention it I think that screenshot might have been taken while I sat AT the server....so Sage, not SageClient. I'm thinking my clients don't show the two tuners. I'll have to check.

[sixdoubleo]

Yeah. Sage shows the tuner assignments. SageClient does not. I assume this is by design?

[AJ Bertelson]

thats odd, it didn't show it on my sageserver.

[mlbdude]

Not reading all above so I may not know what you guys are completely talking about. However, to change between Interleaved and Parallel schedule view use the Options menu while in Sage Recordings. Should work on both Server and Client.

[Cayars]

Yep or some STV are configured with a seperate menu choice for it.

[mdmint]

Originally Posted by sixdoubleo

Yeah. Sage shows the tuner assignments. SageClient does not. I assume this is by design?

Shows tuner assignment on upcoming recordings all three of my Clients.