Picking a Server...

[Milkshake]

Hey guys,

I've been considering getting myself a server box. Now, normally I use any old PCs I have to make a server..but I've got a bit of money coming in now so I fancy a bit of an upgrade.

I'd like it to be low-power, low-noise so I can have it on 24/7 but not worry about it raping my electricity bill. Maybe some kind of Lights-Out card, summat like the Dell DRAC or the HP ILO, and a nice amount of storage for files - probably RAID 1 or 5.

Any suggestions? Just trying to get my creative juices running and thinking.

 

[Guest]

HP DL320 G4 or a G5


you knows it........................

 

[Gahn]

Dl320 series got 2x Internal Hds max ain't it? So no Raid 5.

HP ProLiant DL180 G5 Server series key benefits - HP Small & Medium Business products

Tis prolly your best bet, even tho it comes out only in Rack Mountable form.

 

[Vae]

Depending on what you want the server for have you considered getting a NAS instead such as a Qnap.

Personally I'm being tempted by the TS-209. (As I understand it the only benefit of the Pro versions is they work with Windows Active Directory and Linux).

 

[Yaka]

Qnap is good, very good infact almost one me self

but i whent with a Data Robotics, Inc. and the nas adaptor, iover kill for my needs but i couldnt resist

 

[Insane]

It will entirely depend on what you want the server to do

Pure storage? pick up a NAS device, most common are Buffalo, Qnap, Synology and Thecus. Most of them have 4 drive RAID systems which will do most of everything

Depending on the amount of users as well it might be cheaper just to build your own server using low power Xeon processor and 4 gig DDR2 ram, nearly any s775 board comes with sata raid these days so all you need is a decent case.

A proper physical server would be overkill for doing most stuff really

 

[Cromcruaich]

People often go overkill on server for home use. I had a couple of em (one of which was dual processor), running exchange server, sharepoint etc to mess around with but thought enough was enough time for a clear out.

Bought a small form factor dell (optiplex sx270) from ebay (can even get an underdesk mount for it), bought an external usb hard disk (one which doesnt need a mains powersource), ditched the exchange server and all the rubbish i didnt need. Now got a quite server (in a bedroom) which doesnt even register power drain on my ups - got all the storage I need. Can also run apps on it no problem.

Main reason to justify a home server over a NAS ive found is to install WSUS onto. Really nothing else for the home user is worth the effort except for fiddle value.

much happier, greener and quiter now.

 

[Milkshake]

Hmm, cool, thanks Cromcruaich. Quite interesting, I like that small form factor Dell.

I'm a software engineer by trade, and I often want to try things at home that perhaps I'd be worried about trying at work. I also get the odd contracting job here and there, and enjoy having a server to work on.

When I come to a bit more of a conclusion, I'll let you know

 

[Cromcruaich]

Aye in the same boat. Its fine for trying stuff out. Just if you aint serving loads of users no point going overkill - its all more of a headache when it goes wrong - you end up convincing yourself you need scsi raid 5, fail over support, oh and lets try clustering while i'm at it - oh and for safety I need all this backing up - lets pick up a 250gb tape drive blah blah. Been there.

Ive now gone right back to basics and im much much happier.

Its fine for testing out software - and you always have the option of loading up virtual pc on you main machine.

Good luck anyway