Router+file server build

[mornington]

Hello all,

[I am asking this in the networking section rather than in the hardware section because I think I might get better responses since the hardware and networking questions are kind of tied together on this one. So here goes.]

I am trying to build an always-on router + file server system that will serve as a (wired) router and as a file server that I will access from my two Windows (7/XP) machines. I am not worried about power consumption or the ambient noise resulting from this build. My main criteria are budget (under $150) and to protect my data in case my cheap-o components bite the dust. Also, in this project, I am roughly following advice here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=71S9fek0FKA
In fact, I think I will be running the Smoothwall software that he uses. In case it is relevant, I am situated in a University LAN and I believe we get assigned static IPs.

The main components of this build will be the following:

1) Chip: Some of the feedback for this product says that it is possible to unlock another core on some motherboards - will this be possible on the motherboard that I intend to use below? Is it advisable for the purposes of this build?
product: AMD Sempron 145 Sargas 2.8GHz Socket AM3 45W Single-Core Desktop Processor
link: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819103888
price: $40

2) MoBo: My main concern for the motherboard is whether it will be able to handle some sort of RAID configuration (I know nothing about RAID, or backups). The other idea that I have is to have a second HDD which is periodically backed up with cron jobs.
product: BIOSTAR N68S3+ AM3 NVIDIA MCP68S Micro ATX AMD Motherboard
link: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813138293
price: $45

3) Memory: 2gb of memory should be enough, I think. Is this the right memory for this motherboard?
product: Kingston HyperX Blu 2GB 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory
link: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820104219
price: $14

4) Case: This is a micro-ATX case and comes with 400W PSU.
product: iMicro ATX Micro Tower Case
link: http://amzn.com/B005CUVORQ
price: $23

5) HDD: I have a 5400rpm 120gb IDE HDD refurbished HDD that I bought off newegg for $18. I could get another one in case I need to for a backup.

6) NIC+sundry: Rosewill RC-402 LAN Card 10/ 100Mbps PCI for $7, throw in some ethernet cables and a netgear metal switch for $10.
link: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16833166004
link: http://amzn.com/B00002EQCW

This brings the build cost up to about $160.

My concern now is that all the components are compatible with each other and will fit into the case that I have chosen (I don't have a lot of experience building PCs). Also, any advice about the best strategy for having a continuous backup of my file server which is easily restorable will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks for listening!


EDIT: So I did some additional googling and I was hoping that the Smoothwall Linux distro would allow me to have Samba to run my file server, but some advice seems to suggest otherwise:
http://forums.overclockers.com.au/showthread.php?t=149463
So, I am throwing in the question of what distro will allow me to run a router AND a file server together.

Thanks again!

 

[imagoon]

Generally I don't recommend putting file shares on your security device. You can get a cheap hardware router and a small NAS and get a better setup over all.

 

[kornphlake]

That mobo only has a single PATA header (for 2 drives) I have a feeling your life will be easier if you use SATA drives if you plan on doing a raid setup.

I believe you need a mobo with an AMD 710 southbridge to unlock extra cores, the mobo you've chosen won't work well for overclocking if that is a serious consideration.

A celeron G530 might outperform a sempron for a few dollars more, it's up to you to decide if it's important or not though, honestly if all the machine will be is a server and nothing else, I'd look for a used P4 or Athlon XP machine, it'll save you about $100 and do everything you've mentioned.

 

[_Rick_]

1) The hardware looks good, except possibly the hard drive. Cheap USB drives may also work as system/boot devices. They're a bit slow and limited in reads, but you can always log elsewhere. Advantage is, that a usb key is essentially free and disposable. Also less likely to die than an old HDD, and takes less place in your cramped case.
Also the case with included PSU scares me. At that price bad things will happen sooner or later.
2) I'm using the hardened x64 profile for gentoo for my multi-prupose router.
Deployment is somewhat involved, but customization is key. Rolling release means no dist-upgrade hell.
3) It doesn't matter whether you have data on your router or not. If the router is compromised, then your network is compromised, and it doesn't matter where the data is.
iptables is available for any linux distribution. So is samba. A "proper" distribution with a decent package manager will automagically install both of these (iptables should be available off the bat) and configuration is up to you. Set up security properly (/etc/hosts.allow, /etc/hosts.deny, as well as iptables rules and service options) and network security has been summarily dealt with.
If furthermore you run outwards facing services or plan to run a multi-user system, some of the options/features of the hardened gentoo profile may be interesting. These features mostly lock down the system to block common privilege escalation pathways.
Finally, RAID is done in software by the Linux kernel. You won't need hardware support. Software offers more flexibility and better monitoring, as well as leaving you independent of driver issues.

Only reason to not take the cheapest hardware (eg. free throw-aways) would be potential durablity issues (should be cured in reasonable hardware, post 2005) as well as power consumption and if you need hardware AES acceleration. The latter is best served with an i5 650 or upwards. Probably available on the used market at the prices you project for your current hardware.

 

[mornington]

Rick thank you so much. That is a lot of condensed information and I might return to ask specifics as I get along with the build. Gives me much to think about.

1) The hardware looks good, except possibly the hard drive. Cheap USB drives may also work as system/boot devices. They're a bit slow and limited in reads, but you can always log elsewhere. Advantage is, that a usb key is essentially free and disposable. Also less likely to die than an old HDD, and takes less place in your cramped case.
Also the case with included PSU scares me. At that price bad things will happen sooner or later.
2) I'm using the hardened x64 profile for gentoo for my multi-prupose router.
Deployment is somewhat involved, but customization is key. Rolling release means no dist-upgrade hell.
3) It doesn't matter whether you have data on your router or not. If the router is compromised, then your network is compromised, and it doesn't matter where the data is.
iptables is available for any linux distribution. So is samba. A "proper" distribution with a decent package manager will automagically install both of these (iptables should be available off the bat) and configuration is up to you. Set up security properly (/etc/hosts.allow, /etc/hosts.deny, as well as iptables rules and service options) and network security has been summarily dealt with.
If furthermore you run outwards facing services or plan to run a multi-user system, some of the options/features of the hardened gentoo profile may be interesting. These features mostly lock down the system to block common privilege escalation pathways.
Finally, RAID is done in software by the Linux kernel. You won't need hardware support. Software offers more flexibility and better monitoring, as well as leaving you independent of driver issues.

Only reason to not take the cheapest hardware (eg. free throw-aways) would be potential durablity issues (should be cured in reasonable hardware, post 2005) as well as power consumption and if you need hardware AES acceleration. The latter is best served with an i5 650 or upwards. Probably available on the used market at the prices you project for your current hardware.

 

[mornington]

Almost everyone else I have spoken to has advised me against the IDE drive as well. I don't know why I asked about the overclocking - can't see what advantage it might have for a build of this kind. Are there any advantages to overclocking a router?

That mobo only has a single PATA header (for 2 drives) I have a feeling your life will be easier if you use SATA drives if you plan on doing a raid setup.

I believe you need a mobo with an AMD 710 southbridge to unlock extra cores, the mobo you've chosen won't work well for overclocking if that is a serious consideration.

A celeron G530 might outperform a sempron for a few dollars more, it's up to you to decide if it's important or not though, honestly if all the machine will be is a server and nothing else, I'd look for a used P4 or Athlon XP machine, it'll save you about $100 and do everything you've mentioned.

 

[_Rick_]

If your router is a measly PowerPC and has to deal with millions of connections, sure.
But generally, your router won't do anything, as there won't be hundreds of machines connected. Even a five year old feature phone will probably have enough CPU power to route a few hundred connections per second.