Going to build a server - need advice on parts

[anonymouschris]

Yeah, in my attempt to learn networking and also because i am bored, i want to build a small server. it will most probably be a terminal server, not definite and will be hosting 2 PC's most of the time, 4 PC's at most. opearating system i will be using is win2k. Please advise me of the parts i should use.

Case - the smaller the better, and if there is possibly a case that is relatively quiet, that would be even better
CPU - Tbird or P3, i dont need dual p3's do i?
Hotherboard - a good stable solid motherboard that has everything integrated would be good
Hard Drive - IDE or SCSI, please specify model, rpm, etc
SCSI Card - model brand
Memory - how much would i need?

Please take into account that I am not incredibly rich. Just something that is decent, affordable will do me well.

thanks,
chris

 

[Helznicht]

Need to list what you will be doing with this server, what tasks will be required of it? That will help get you some answers.

You do know any PC can be a server right. Just take your old pc, make it into a server, and score yourself a new upgrade

 

[anonymouschris]

hehe, thanks. i do know any PC can be a server. wanted a new project tho. basic apps. terminal and file serving will be what will be used most probably.

 

[Shack70]

You wont need any special components to build a server. If I understand you just want a machine to run as a server for up to 4 machines in your house. This is what I would do:
Cheap Tbird and MB around 1ghz!
256+ memory (the more the better)
The hardrives all depend on how you are gonna use the server. If you are gonna host alot of file for the other machines you need file space. If not then 10 gigs should be plenty! IDE or SCSI up to you. I suggest IDE for $$ reasons.
Basic case that will handle the Tbird and not over heat it
Network cards for each machine. 10T is fine!
A cheap 4 port hub will do for what you want, but I would get an 8 port to have the extra space.
Cat 5 Cables to connect the machines.
You can run NT, Win2K or Linux. It's up to you. If you want to play around I would get a second HD and dual boot Linux and Win2k.

Sorry that I am not being spacific for the parts I list, but you don't need specail hardware for what you are doing.

This won't be the greatest server, but you can learn on it and not spend an arm and a leg to get it.

 

[Helznicht]

"basic apps. terminal and file serving "

Wont take much at all.

Blackflaggs suggestion is good, but, maybe a bit overkill. I say you could get by with less if money is tight and probally wont notice. A 1ghz could handle the traffic of 200 pcs without breaking a sweat. I say put the money in ram, fast HDs, and 100bt network (10bt doesnt save you hardly any money nowadays).

 

[JoeDaddy]

According to Microsoft, you should have 128MB of system ram and around 10MB per user.

Here's the document to look at, its right here



<< 10T is fine! >>



I would have to disagree w/ that. 10/100 cards can be had for less than $15 each, and w/ terminal servers( MS Terminal services, Citrix, etc) fast ethernet is the only way to go. If you have the extra cash, 8port 10/100 switches can be had for less than $65

I would go w/ thunderbirds because of the cost, and ram is cheap these days. you can get a 1GB of generic pc133 memory for under $100.

As for hard drives, just get two 7200rpm drives and put them in raid0.

If you wanted to go the route of dual p3's. Here's my recomendation.

Abit Vp6 w/ 4 dimm slots, 2 ata100 controlers, 2 ata raid controllers-$150
Dual P3 800EB @ $135 each
512MB Generic PC133 @ $55 for both
2 IBM 40GB ata100 7200rpm drives @ $125 each
1 10/100 NIC $25
Total: $750

Then again you could get something like this.

Epox EP-8K7A+ w/ 2 ddr slots w/ onboard ata100 raid - $160
AMD 1.33 @ $140
512MB Crucial PC2100 DDR CAS 2.5 @ $114 shipped 2nd day
2 ibm 30gb 60gxp 7200rpm ata100 @ $100 each
1 10/100 NIC $25
Total: $640

 

[SpeedTrap]

well if your interested in a small but reliable server , get the Enlight 8950 series case. its about 200 shipped and gives you great options.

also im looking to get rid of mine and get a smaller ATX 7237.

mines been modded but an willing to send pics if interested.

It would be 50.00 + case or with all extra 5 fans and quards 100.00 + case

 

[huanaku]

You don't need much at all, some memory, and a large hard drive (well, depends on how much you will store on it.) Win2k uses a lot of RAM, 128 mb min. I had a server running on a pentium 133 with 96 meg of ram, win2k server. I used it for ICS as well as a file server (personal) and storage drive. The only slow part was loading, but besides that, it just sits. You could make a great server with a duron even. If you will be hosting games off of it, you'll want more.

 

[BreakApart]

Hmmm, i like these replys tho i believe they may be a bit over-kill.

For a home/testing server:
200-400Mhz is plenty
IDE HDs are fine-5400/7200 let your budget choose.
10/100 NIC for sure, at todays prices don't cheat the network.
Get a 4-5 port switch, again don't cheat the network at todays prices.

If you want a nice network option get the Linksys EFSP42 , it is a combo printserver/switch. 2port print server, with 4 10/100 switch ports together in one unit. Sweet little unit...

128-256mb again let your budget choose. Tho, 256 would be perfect.

Good Luck, and have fun! Detailed picture of the EFSP42

 

[bex0rs]

If you are planning on running AD, DNS, IIS, DHCP, and maybe some other small services on your 2k server, you should have a minimum of 256 megs of RAM. Win2k will use it for sure. Since RAM is so cheap anyway, go with 512 and you'll be very happy. The CPU really doesn't matter as much, since you aren't going to be playing games over a TS connection. A 400-500 Mhz processor would definitely be adequate. While a Dual P3 Setup may be nice, it's overkill for just 2-4 clients. I'm assuming you'll want to use this as a file server as well, so go with a 100mbit components. You probably don't need SCSI stuff, but if you do decide to go that route, an smallish (9 gig) UW SCSI boot drive would be sufficient. I'd also suggest an IDE RAID-1 setup for file storage.

If you're looking for maximum stability, get an ASUS or Intel board, with an Intel chip / chipset. Spending a bit more now on those components will potentially save you time in the long run. I'm not trying to start an AMD - Intel debate, but at this point, I honestly wouldn't trust my personal server to a VIA / AMD setup. On that note, also pick up a decent Intel network card (like a Pro/100+).

The Enlight 8950 that WSPTrooper offered is an excellent entry level server case. (I have the same one.) Fifty bux is a great price for the chassis, considering that I spent > $150 at Amazon, even with free shipping and a coupon. The only potential drawbacks are that it's a bit on the &quot;long&quot; side, and it's kinda noisy with all the fans running. A 7237 would probably be just fine too.

I guess I've pretty much described my personal server (check my sig), but for a good reason! It works quite well, and we both have similar setups. Just ask if you have any more questions Chris.

~Kenn

 

[smp]

Wow! You guys are crazy! (not meaning to offend of course)
I just bought myself a PII 233 (oc'd to 300) w/32 megs of ram and a 2.5 gig drive for 169 CND!!!
(169 CND is like 2 dollars USD )
I run Debian on it and it lags not. If you're gonna use win2k then by all means, you can spend a million dollars on a server, but I would suggest the linux route. You can run all that stuff off of mandrake even and you don't need crazy hardware.
I am currently upgrading that box though
Asus P2B hoverboard
Celeron 333 (hopefully will OC to 500)
I'm gonna get 256 megs of ram for it.
In the future I'm just gonna drop a PIII in there when the prices on those are super cheap on ebay or whatever. A 2.5 gig drive is enough for me now, because if I need more space I can do a SMB mount off of my main box that is running win2k advanced server.
I highly recommend linux and cheaper hardware, you won't be dissapointed.

 

[bex0rs]

Ah yes, but Chris is looking to build a Terminal Server. While that functionality is built into linux, I really don't think he was looking to run his programs in a linux environment at this point. (In fact, I don't know why anyone would want to run linux on their desktop, but that is beside the point). I also don't think he was looking to run linux on his clients or purchase Exceed for Win32. Although, I might add that VNC works very well, but still... writing papers in emacs isn't very fun.

~bex0rs