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Need to build/buy a server...

M

MonkeyWrench4000

Member
Hey everyone.

I need to obtain a file server that is both reliable, AND cost effective. The file server is for a small business that has 8 computer's in its office. The server will mainly store Blueprints and specs for sheet metal products.

Please do not suggest an old PC as this needs to be done on a professional level. I have to make sure that this system will be reliable and running for a long time.

Can anyone "build me one" for a good price and post it, or suggest one brand to me?

What sort of RAID type should be used?

Is it better to buy with a warrantee?

All this information would help me alot because I'm a total Server newb.
 
whats the budget? you'd probably want a raid 5 something where you'll have constant backup so you don't have to worry about a bad hard drive taking something out.
 
If you can't spec out your own server, then your better off just getting a Dell server.
Look for raid 5 with a tape backup solution.

Regards,
Jose
 
Tower or Rackmount? Will server be "serving" anything beside files, i.e. Terminal Services, Database, Exchange/Domino/Groupwise, Domain Controller, DHCP/DNS, etc? If you want simple, reliable storage, consider RAID NAS (network attached storage) rather than full PC
 
Right, but he said for a "small office" of 8 persons.

I will outright suggest that rackmount, though nice is not the way to go in such a small environement unless you are just trying to keep everything clean.

Since you stated this is specifically for Storing blueprints and specs for sheet metal products, why not go for a network storage type of appliance? Then you don't have to worry with the os layer and can administrate the box from a web client. Then you also do not need extremely talented IT individuals allowing that site to be more self-sufficient.

Or if you are so inclined you could go for a Dell Powervault 770 which should give you enough storage and manageability.


 
I'll jump in even though I don't really have the experience to do so.

I'd like to second the need for a tape backup. If this stuff is important, and the place burns down or the server gets stolen, what's your means of recovery?

RAID 5 is a great setup to protect against HD failure, but in conjunction with tape backup you have offsite storage to protect against bad, bad things happening. How far you want to go with this depends on your paranoia quotient.

Put some thought into this.


 
Yeah, we can offer a 1000$ budget system, or a 50,000$ fool-proof complete backup rig that can retrieve data from after nuclear war has taken over the world. I like Treyshadow's idea, nothing too fancy, but still sufficient and professional.
 
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