All Help Will Be Much Appreciated !

[Jazz666]

Hi all,
I've just got into this "Pc building" craze and was wondering why I didn't get into it earlier. I pretty much just build gaming pcs, but a buddy just asked me to build him a server for his network at work. He thinks I'm this badass computer tech. I would have hated to admit I have no idea what he was talking about ... lol. Yep, it's a pride thing. He's currently using a normal pc as a server and complains that it can't support all the workstations. He needs a couple of servers, an email one and one to run software off (yes, I'm a layman).

I would really appreciate any advice and pointers on what specs (mobo, ram, scsi or not ? etc) would best suit his needs (both value and high-end servers). Would XP Pro serve the purpose or do I need a special version of Windows for servers ? I pretty much need a walkthough for this since I'm just learning the "ropes" ... so please don't assume I've got a lot of pre-knowledge and be easy on me with the heavy terminology.

Thanks ppl !

Jazz

p.s. Has Anandtech posted a guide on this ? Coz i didn't see one !

 

[rbV5]

I recommend you tell your buddy you don't know shite about servers, and then see if he asks you to build him his network to support his business.
Trust me.

 

[speed01]

I second the previous.... Dedicated servers and the associated apps to go with them to perform specific functions are in a different class than your basic gaming rig IMHO.

Speed

 

[yoda291]

also recommend you tell him not to have his servers "built" rather that he order them. Liability it BIG when it comes to servers.

 

[amdskip]

Dell has good deals on servers sometimes.

 

[Jazz666]

LOL ... thanks guys !! One big problem ... I'm in Africa, you can't just go online and order a server from their website. And the ppl that do sell em here hike the price up 2x or 3x the normal price (shipping and taxes are mad high this part of the world). Besides, he's using a normal P3 933 PC as a server currently ..... I'm sure a Tyan dual processor board with a couple of Athlon MPs on there would wipe the floor with his current rig. I would still like to learn what i dont' know though ...... rather than just lay down and accept the fact that I can't do something.

 

[WeeWolf]

In the case of servers you want to go with parts and companies that will be around in a few years. It is very important especially for lower end business to make sure they will be able to get a part for the thing 3 years from now. As far as OS is concerned make sure to use the server versions as in No WinXP pro will not do. Professional versions only allow 10 open sessions to a particular resource at once therefore if you run a file or app server off of it and the business has more than 10 users at some point the 11th user will be told to go Fsck himself. If he doesn't wish to pay for a server license take a look at some of the Linux variants for your purposes. As far as the hardware is concerned what truly matters is how many users it must support. There are server level NICs out there that have thier own onboard processing and cache etc but most of those go for high dollars and are not even necessary.
Good luck

 

[Jazz666]

God how I wish I was still in the US. Stuff's so hard to come by here ... and ppl don't know crap either, so there's not much wisdom to be shared. Ppl are wowing my firewire port ...

Well anyways, thanks for all the info ppl. I'll see how much this guy wants to spend ... and how badly he needs a new server ... and ... erm .... I'll be honest with him about not knowing crap about servers ..*doh* !!