Server build

plummer66

Senior member
Nov 10, 2004
458
2
81
I need to build a simple server for a buddy and his little small company that he has. It basically will be used as a file server that can be accessed by him and his two other employees.
Now is there anything special for a machine that I should be looking at? I was thinking of doing his drive config in RAID Mirror.......so that if one goes down.....the other will still have the data.
Any other recommendations?

Win XP machines.
 

RebateMonger

Elite Member
Dec 24, 2005
11,586
0
0
Whatever you end up with as a server, be sure to come up with an ongoing backup system. RAID systems are far from 100% reliable, not to mention theft, fire, flood, and accidental or malicious deletion from the RAID array.
 

plummer66

Senior member
Nov 10, 2004
458
2
81
Originally posted by: RebateMonger
Whatever you end up with as a server, be sure to come up with an ongoing backup system. RAID systems are far from 100% reliable, not to mention theft, fire, flood, and accidental or malicious deletion from the RAID array.

We have also considered theft/flood (but not fire!)....which will be taken care of by frequent backups.

It's not the most sensitive data.....but nonetheless important.


I was thinking Windows 2003 Server......but give me some other options cause the decision is upto me.

Also..is a basic single core system sufficient? (ie: if I was to give him my current rig....A64 3500...1 gig PC3200 ram, etc........?)


Thx.
 

RebateMonger

Elite Member
Dec 24, 2005
11,586
0
0
Buy a pre-built Windows Home Server. The HP version retails for $600. Add a second 500GB SATA drive (about $100), and at least a pair of 500GB USB external drives for making backups. It wouldn't hurt to throw in a UPS, either.

Tell the Windows Home Server to set up the two SATA drives in redundancy mode, so your server will stay up even if a single drive fails.

Keep one backup drive attached to the Server (for making ongoing backups) and keep the other backup drive offsite. Swap out the drives weekly or on whatever frequency you feel comfortable with.

If you do EXACTLY what I describe, your odds of losing significant data to "typical" disasters is awfully close to zero. If you add additional external backup drives, you can make periodic (monthly?) "Archival backups" of your data, so you have older versions of your documents available, too.

The WHS will give you redundant file storage, a central place for your files, remote access to the server and to the client PCs (if the clients are running Windows XP Pro or Vista Business/Ultimate, and automatic, ongoing backups of all the client PCs in your office. Note that this last feature is VERY important, since it's costly to restore a client PC that's had a hard drive failure (common) or that's been contaminated with spyware, trojans, worms, etc. With the Windows Home Server, you can restore it yourself in an hour or two.

WHS will do all that you are asking for. If you need more than ten connections or or some advanced features, then Windows Small Business Server 2003 R2 would be good choice. But the installation and maintenance is much costlier and not something for the non-expert. Once you get into the "true server" area, you typically include ECC (error correcting) memory, hardware RAID arrays, and server operating systems.
 

plummer66

Senior member
Nov 10, 2004
458
2
81
awesome. That might work well. Thx.

Also, another question...........what about a NAS setup? I know it is more limiting..........but would still probably work for these guys.

Thoughts?

Thx.
 

RebateMonger

Elite Member
Dec 24, 2005
11,586
0
0
With a NAS, you lose (among other things) the automatic image backups of the client PCs. If that has any value to you (which it should), you are going to have to BUY something like Acronis imaging software for each client PC.