Cheap Server

[computergeek22]

Okay, I had created a post about buying a NAS for less than 400 but that doesn't seem to be possible because I won't be able to run SLIMSERVER on a cheap NAS. So I've decided I might as well spend the money for a server.

These are the things I am looking for: stable/reliable, energy efficient, cheap relatively quiet (though this isn't vital).

Minimum specs needed are
800 mhz ps
256mb RAM
Linux/BSD/Solaris/Other: Perl 5.8.3 or later
RAID controller
2 really stable HDs total ~500gb (however if this is the most expensive part I'm willing to go for a bit less storage now and then get more later)

I'm also new to this but I'm also wondering what you guys would recommend as an operating system. I want Linux because its free. I don't think/want to pay for windows...

I want it to be as cheap as possible but reliability and stability are very important.

Just to mention the obvious I'm going to be building it myself...

 

[Eos]

Watching this thread...

 

[computergeek22]

Cheapest I could spec out on newegg was around 350 w/tax & shipping.

2 250gb hds 139.99
Sempron 2800 w/ ECS 754 nf3 mobo $85
512mb ram $40
seasonic 330 $50
fan/video/case $50

I really need it cheaper than this. Right now the HDS and the psu seem to be most expensive. What alternatives do I have?

 

[Eos]

Damn. Cheaper than I thought...

 

[ShawnD1]

Originally posted by: computergeek22
I'm also new to this but I'm also wondering what you guys would recommend as an operating system. I want Linux because its free. I don't think/want to pay for windows...

Though the legalities are fuzzy, you can put Windows on as many computers as you want, as long as you have a legit copy. Do you already have a copy of Windows? If so, it won't cost anything to put it on your server.

geek's build looks pretty solid. I would probably get more ram just as a way of futureproofing it.

 

[imported_kiwik]

OEM windows aren't supposed to be installed on only 1 computer?

 

[Leros]

Try to pickup a used P3 system for $50. Add a raid card and hard drives.

Or buy your parts used in FS/FT. You can save a lot of money doing that.

 

[Eos]

Originally posted by: Leros
Try to pickup a used P3 system for $50. Add a raid card and hard drives.

Or buy your parts used in FS/FT. You can save a lot of money doing that.

I'm halfway there. Got the P3, but no hard drive...

 

[ShawnD1]

Originally posted by: kiwik
OEM windows aren't supposed to be installed on only 1 computer?

Technically you should only put it on 1 computer, but nobody in the world actually does that. Put OEM windows on every single computer in your house. When it gives problems with validation for updates, you call Microsoft and they'll get it activated again.
The same rule applies to most games if you take the time to read the ToS. It's illegal to install BF1942 on 2 separate computers in the same house.

 

[computergeek22]

You guys think i really need the extra ram for futureproofing or is 256mb ok? I mean 512 is only about 10 bucks more.

 

[computergeek22]

You guys think i really need the extra ram for futureproofing or is 256mb ok? I mean 512 is only about 10 bucks more.

 

[imported_Tick]

Just an idea, but I got a mini-itx server. Very small, very quite, very cool, and was only about $550 for a perfectly decent box. What is it you will be serving? Also, as other people may have heard, I have had terrible experience with linux. I recomend windows, even if it need to be *ahem* warez.

 

[sonoma1993]

Originally posted by: computergeek22
You guys think i really need the extra ram for futureproofing or is 256mb ok? I mean 512 is only about 10 bucks more.

well for a server, more memory is always a good thing to have. What are planning on doing with your server?

 

[ShawnD1]

Originally posted by: computergeek22
You guys think i really need the extra ram for futureproofing or is 256mb ok? I mean 512 is only about 10 bucks more.

Ram is your #1 priority. A Pentium 2 with 512mb of ram would crush a Core 2 Duo with 64mb of ram if you put them head to head. When I upgraded my P2 from 256mb to 512mb, the difference was like night and day. Things load much faster, and the hard drive doesn't sound like a smoker running a marathon.


I just had a crazy (stupid?) idea. What if he cheaped out on memory and got a 4gb USB drive to use as virtual memory? They only cost like 50 bucks, and the seek time on usb drives is actually very good (although overall bandwidth is still bad).

 

[SilentRavens]

Here's my suggestion, buy new HDD and scrounge the rest used.

My current webserver is a 800Mhz P3, 512Mb SDRAM, random stock intel micro-ATX MB, no-name cheapo CD-ROM drive, and the most expensive part of the kit, a 120 GB HDD.

I have a newer 1 GHz P3, and some ram I have been meaning to put into it, but truth to be told it serves my website (basic HTML, photos, and some video) just fine.

For an OS I use Suse 9.3 pro, again I should probably update the whole thing, but I have kept it up to date with security and that's about all I need to do. I have found the setup/management tools that are built in to the YAST control center to be some of the best around (take that w/ a grain of salt) . As for Pearl, I am running the latest version (5 something) on my server, truth to be told I found it is pretty independent of a moderately recent OS version.

Something for you to note since you haven't mentioned the use of the server, (file, web, security, etc), you can never have enough ram. This becomes especially important when using older technologies (i.e. SDRAM vs. DDR vs. DDR2). It is the nature of servers, ram is very important to performance.

 

[Juno]

Originally posted by: Tick
Just an idea, but I got a mini-itx server. Very small, very quite, very cool, and was only about $550 for a perfectly decent box. What is it you will be serving? Also, as other people may have heard, I have had terrible experience with linux. I recomend windows, even if it need to be *ahem* warez.

:camera:'s?

 

[Sunner]

What kind of content will you be serving, how many hits do you think you'll get, etc etc?
I have a 450 MHz P-II setup with 256 MB of RAM serving a couple of forums, as well as two Ventrilo servers at home, and it never breaks a sweat, just to give you a hint at how little hardware most "hobbyist" sites require.

Anyways, I think you'd be best off picking up some used stuff, maybe some old Dell/HP tower box, should be pretty damn near free, and they're generally pretty quiet.
Then get some cheapo RAID controller and two disks to go with that.

As for the OS, Linux is a good bet, provided you don't mind reading up a bit on it(which you should regardless of what OS you pick, considering you're gonna be running a server).
The best all around server distro out there is Debian imo, but it's focus is on functionality, stability, and security, rather than first time user friendliness.
If you read up on it, you'll grow to love it, if you want something more point and click, try Ubuntu, or perhaps CentOS(free version of Redhat Enterprise Linux).

Oh and don't mind Tick, he's just clueless and unable to grasp the concept of a learning curve

But, again, what kind of load do you expect?
That question will always need answering before anyone can make any kind of educated statement regarding hardware.

 

[zephyrprime]

What are you going to use it for?

 

[computergeek22]

Basically I will be using it as a fileserver and a place for running Slimserver a program for my Squeezebox 3. I'm also going to be storing my families photos, videos, movies, and music on the server. With slimserver installed, I can stream music wireless from the server to my Squeezebox 3 and then to my stereo.