Hi to everyone!
I'm new here and I'm really excited about XPEnology and I hope that this project can help me for my new NAS.
My idea is to buy a HP N54L and install XPEnology but I have many doubts about it and I hope someone will help me to answer those questions before purchasing.
1) About the hardware
I see that several people use the N54L with XPEnology without serious problem, but I have 2 questions about it.
First: the CPU can or not transcode HD video when this microserver is used with XPEnology and an DLNA software? I can't find final words about this.
Second: some people replace the ram. This is crucial point in performance? More ram is better? And what about ECC ram? I read a lot about this type of memory and other software (FreeNas) where this seems to be essential...
2) About XPEnology installation
If I understand, there is 2 way to install XPEnology on a pc: using virtualization (ESXi) and directly on hardware (non ESXi), but still I don't understand which is better.
For me the point is: which can handle better the hardware?
I'm not sure that ESXi can interact correctly with the hardware (or not?), but I don't know if non ESXi installation can.
What about S.M.A.R.T. monitoring system, disk hibernation and so on?
3) Software updates
If I understand correctly, with non EXSi installation a USB pendrive is needed for booting system and a hard-drive must be used for DSM. This hard drive is formatted during installation and the disk space can be used for files storage. My doubts: there is a realistic possibility incase of updates that the stored files are lost? It is better to dedicate an hard disk only for DSM?
For ESXi installation there are similar problems?
4) Rebooting
Often in my house electricity fails but now I do not have the opportunity to purchase an UPS.
There is many problems (losing data) in rebooting the system?
I hoping someone can help me!
Many thanks!