home server for under 500 possible, need advice

[fkoskotas]

looking to build a server for home use and learning purposes. will be using 3 - 5 host machines. need to run as an active directory, file, web, email, remote login and media server - did i miss anything? what would be your hardware recommendations for case, mobo, cpu, power supply, hard drive, etc....

thanks for the help!

[rimmerchant]

looking to build a server for home use and learning purposes. will be using 3 - 5 host machines. need to run as an active directory, file, web, email, remote login and media server - did i miss anything? what would be your hardware recommendations for case, mobo, cpu, power supply, hard drive, etc....

thanks for the help!

if it's not going to be used at max load all the time and it's not "mission critical" then I would say any regular ho hum PC would do.

go for something with
- core2duo 2+ ghz or faster
- plenty of ram 4gb or more.
- fast harddrive

it should be a $350 ish build not including the OS

[wh666-666]

If its just for home use, where not everything will be utilised at once and you only have one person remoting on, just go for a crappy p4 2.8ghz PC with 1GB + memory will do.

Seriously, with 3-5 PC's you'll be fine.

My server in my signature does experimental bits and bobs I want, several sharing apps, VPN and local connections, firewall, streamer for various multimedia appliances throughout the home, up to five PC's and a few laptops regulary connected, etc. It handles the load perfectly fine, never gets too utilised.

[MrDigital]

A late generation P4 is fine for any small domain. I dunno how many I've setup over the years that are still running perfectly, up to 20-25 users. Running Exchange and various other Microsoft server technologies. CPU isn't really important at all. Just have a decent amount of RAM (2GB+) and a great hard drive and you'll be fine. CPU speed only really matters on servers doing processing, like databases or rendering. I'm not sure what sort of media or web streaming you'll be doing but as long as it's client side rendering you'll be fine.

Buy someone's old P4 desktop for $50-80 and spend the other $400 beefing up the hard drive and RAM.

[fluffmonster]

grab whatever old piece of hardware you have laying around and start playing with it. Find someone you know who knows linux and ask them many questions. If they are reluctant, threaten to buy software and they will cave.

[wh666-666]

Agree with you about linux, the best OS for a server, easier to set up than windows server as well ... You could even use p3 or before systems with linux ....


Unfortunately my server needs Win 2003 server as I have windows only software running. Even so, 1GB is fine, never even got past 75% utilisation. Even with full utilisation and push streaming operating.


The only time you need more than 1GB is like Mr.D said, when you have a small business server with over 20 users. Home use though, unless you have a massive family so it seems like a small business, spend money on HDD's.


Luckily I had a few free ones lying about, but whatever estimate you have on HDD capacity required fkoskotas, double it at least. Im getting near the point of shoving in another 500MB drive. For instance I estimated my music collection with all my backed up CD's at 15GB, it's nearly at 30GB now.

[rimmerchant]

I have to respectfully call all of you that say to get a P4 morons

get a c2D or about with plenty of rams.

heres my reasoning:
- getting a used c2d system is not that much. considering if you have to upgrade a P4 later on.
- you can use the PC for other things and not have it feel slow.
- since the OP is in the learning phrase having a more powerful PC gives him the option of running more advance OS and multiple OS via virtualization.
- future proofing.
- it's nicer just to have something run faster.
- it can be used as a rendering server if needed.
- having a faster pc gives you a bigger e-penis.

[wh666-666]

I have to respectfully call all of you that say to get a P4 morons

I would say the same to you

This is about what is suitable for this poster....

get a c2D or about with plenty of rams.
heres my reasoning:
- getting a used c2d system is not that much. considering if you have to upgrade a P4 later on.

It really depends where you are, hardware costs, etc. The gaming rig in my sig which is a dual core, built in the past year, the CPU alone cost me £30+. Never mind all the extra components!

My P4 server was free, thrown together with old unused bits floating around. Even if I had to purchase a system, I can buy a P4 system with 1GB (2x512MB/4x256MB) for around £30-£50. Extra memory for upgrading is £30 for 1x1GB DDR400.

- you can use the PC for other things and not have it feel slow.

Why would you? Once you have your server set up, you wont really be decomissioning it to use it for anything else. At a stretch if you ever abandon having a server and have it as an extra desktop, a P4 with 1GB will run XP or any Linux flavour really quickly.

- since the OP is in the learning phrase having a more powerful PC gives him the option of running more advance OS and multiple OS via virtualization.

If you need virtualisation on a home server, you're doing it wrong!

Fair enough, I can kinda see your point here, but ultimately you want to protect your server rather than using virtualisation, we can agree to disagree here.

- future proofing.

You dont need to future proof a home server. All you need it to do is serve the purpose its designed for.

- it's nicer just to have something run faster.

My server is never stretched to the point it runs out of resources and at times I have a lot of systems connected and multiple streamers (including tv and music ones), sharing, hosting, etc. Im never limited by system speed, the only thing that ever limits me is 802.11g speeds, cat5e speed and my 10meg internet connection.

- it can be used as a rendering server if needed.

It doesnt sound as if the poster really requires this, hell I dont even use that on my server. Although it will comfortably convert video files while fufilling its other duties.

- having a faster pc gives you a bigger e-penis.

Il agree here.

However I want to enlarge my technology penis by spending money where it counts. My server comfortably does all the work it needs to.

My gaming rig however, even after recent upgrades, doesnt play everything. This will be where I make my e-penis massive.




Seriously, a P4 system will do all the OP desires ....

Its also far more quiet as you dont need as large a heatsink as you would with multi core or faster CPU's. Ahhh a silent server is bliss .......

[rimmerchant]

here's another option for the OP.

Foxconn NT-510-A-B-A-NA Intel Atom D510 Intel NM10 1 x 200Pin Intel GMA 3150 Nettop Barebone
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16856119026

I got it last time on sale for $130 with a free 2gb stick of ram. just slap in a 2.5" HD and you have a complete working system.

only down side is that it's slower and non upgradable. but it is very small/quiet and low power draw.

from what he described it should work nicely for it's intended purpose. yes it cost more than a P4 system but the saving in power cost, heat, physical space, fashion eyesore, and noise is well worth it.

[wh666-666]

A good option and kits can be purchased off ebay as well from $50 upwards ...

The only disadvantage which I see as a necessity is not being able to use full size PCI cards. I use two PCI ethernet cards ....