My 1st File Server

[SpanishFry]

Hi,
I work at a local nightclub that recently decided to setup PCs in the DJ booths. These PCs will store all of the music played. I suggested having a centrally located server to store all of the music, and could be accessed by both DJs. We're not on a high budget, and the network will consist only of the server and two DJ PCs. I would GREATLY appreciate suggestions on server hardware (CPU,etc.), client hardware (CPU,etc.), cabling (just CAT 5?). What exactly does it take to run a 100MBPS network? Just a switch and 100 NIC? Also, I don't know Linux, will Win XP Pro suffice for the server? Thanks!

 

[PHATJACK]

Okay, you will first have to meet the following requirments:

1) All three computers have NICs
2) Cat5 cable
3) A four port switch

If you are building from scratch, I would say that the server have atleast 512MB of RAM (it's cheap now anyway). The clients hsould have 256MB and a nice sound card. Iw oudl just get them all on 1GHz Athlons with that ECS board, it is rock solid stable.

Also, any OS will really do fine. Win2k/XP would be great.

 

[blstriker]

If your going to be serving up music, you'll need encode the music is pretty good quality which means bigger file sizes that standard mp3. A big fast hard disk is a must. The size is up to you (60-100 gig) but it should be 7200 if you're using ide. If your using scsi, then maybe 10,000rpm drives, but this is pretty expensive. The 7200 rpm is your best bet.