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Fileserver for 2 Laptops and a PC

C

crisscross

Golden Member
I need a system to backup two laptops and a PC and also work as a file server. I know Windows Home Server can do this but it's an Opteron system with over 2 GB RAM and it seems like a waste to use it only as a File server. I will be connecting 3-4 hard drives. I already have a copy of Windows Server 2003.

Can I do this with W2k Server 2003 or is Windows Home Server still a better choice?
 
Well it does not really matter since from the perspective of File server as you descried it Windows 2000 on a P-III 800 would do just as well

I.e you have to decide on a broader need if you want to use one of the other 2 options that you mentioned.
 
Thanks for your reply Jack, I would like to use the Opteron as a workstation (play movies, music run Photoshop, Dreamweaver etc). Now I know that I can't do all this if i use WHS, but if I use Windows server 2003 enterprise will i be missing out on any of WHS cool features like automatic daily backups, system restores etc. I have copies of both WHS and Windows server 2003 enterprise and am not able to decide which will be the better option for me.
 
if you want to use that system as a workstation, just gnab an old P4 barebones PC off of geeks.com for $200ish or less, and a few HDDs, and a gigabit card (I recommend an intel PRO/1000GT) and you'll be set.
 
I actually have an old P4 PC, but it's a Prescott and really loud! guess I should replace the HS and give it a try... Just one question how do I hook up the hard drives? do I need RAID?

 
Replace the CPU with a northwood or even better a celeron, which is more then enough for a file server, takes tons less electricity, and best part puts out hardly any heat and can be paired to a near silent HSF (heatsink-fan).

As for raid, my honest recommendation to you (though it is unpopular if you do a lot of homework its actually the best for small setups like yours) is to use windows server's iteration of software RAID5. Gnabbing three cheap but reliable drives and RAID5ing them would be best by far.
 
If the data on the server is going to be unique (i.e. it's the only copy of your data), then you should plan on backups for any data that's important to you. RAID 5 or even RAID 1 arrays are far from 100% reliable. I like WHS's method of creating a drive pool, so you don't have to actively manage the drive array, and can toss any old drive into the pool and not worry about individual drive sizes.
 
I much prefer the RAIS model (a la petabox) myself, but with this person's situation, I think a simple software raid5 minisystem is the best solution... RAIS (redundant array of inexpensive systems) only scales down well so far before it becomes more of a hassle to maintain then it is worth.
 
I'd try to find an old system to setup as a WHS. You could still use the other system as a workstation.

The peace of mind of having automatic backups and web access to all my files makes it more than worth it to dedicate a system to. You could always just try it and see if you like it. If not, go ahead and move to Server 2K3.

There's my .02.
 
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