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Where to get a HOME server?

M

mmx

Diamond Member
I want to buy a affordable HOME serve that will be in charge of:

Print server
File Server
Backup

I need to have RAID, and that it will do backup so in case of HD crashing, I'll still have the info available.

I rather buy in a RACK form.
 
rack?? why a rack for a home server? Do you plan to have a whole rack for this one server? You would probably be better off with any old pc you have laying around. Just hook it up, put some remote software on it (Ultra VNC) or if you have XP Pro you can use the remote desktop feature.

If you take any old PC and put a PCI RAID card in it, you have a server. For a print server/file server you don't need a lot of CPU power. 1ghz will probably fit the bill. I would load it up with at least 512mb of memory.

Remember, when you do backups, it's good to do it to some external media like a USB hard drive or something. RAID is good, but a virus could come along and just eat up your RAID array.
 
You could get a Dell or you could build your own. They sell rack chasis that you could use to build your PC. The Dell rack servers start around $2,000 and that's for a very basic server.
 
A rack server for a home network!... We use my dad's P4 1.6GHz as a normal computer AND a server that does all that stuff you mentioned (although it doesn't have RAID).

RoD
 
build your own for crying out loud. I built mine...runs small business server 2003. a64 3000 with 1gb memory running two RAID 1 arrays.

jC
 
The cheapest and easiest to configure/manage "Server" is Microsoft Small Business Server 2003. That's what I have in my home. In the past, I've seen Dell and Gateway packages for low-end boxes (including SBS 2003 Standard Edition) for as little as $600.

The actual SBS 2003 software can be acquired, in boxed Retail Version, for less than $500. The setup and maintenance is not unmanageable for a techie person who is willing to spend some time learning how Windows Server works. It IS, though, a whole different world than running an XP box.

Be aware that rack-mounted servers can be VERY loud. Especially the 1U units. These sound like a hurricane is passing by and are TOTALLY unsuitable for home use. The largest rack-mounted servers (4U and convertible) are probably fairly quiet, but I haven't used any.

If you want to buy a box, I'd recommend looking at the low-end Dell servers and installing a second SATA hard drive in RAID 1 configuration. You can get one of these, install some extra RAM and a RAID array, and put SBS 2003 on it for less than $1000 if you install the second drive yourself. Be SURE to buy the server with a floppy drive! You'll need it for the RAID array and for ASR Backups.

Store all your important files and documents on the Server (with the RAID 1 array) and back it up religiously. SBS has wizards to do full backups automatically. I'd recommend backing up to two USB hard drives. Swap them weekly and store the other away from the Server, in case of fire, flood, or theft.
 
Do you already have a cabinet for the rack? If not, why would you want a rack? If you do, then why the fvck are you asking us something as simple as this?
 
I didn't say SIMPLE. I wanted to know which company do you guys recommend for a HOME server, and what model.

I can built my own. But i don't have too much time to built one, but I guess if you guys can't recommend me one, then PLEASE RECOMMEND what the least AMD CPU to get? Sempron, athlon, or x2?
 
how much is affordable to you? $200, $500, $100, etc.?

just to give you an idea, i have a 800mhz p3 w/ 512mb dell optixplex as my "home" server. it serves as my dc, ad, http, ftp, mail server. it's pretty decent considering i don't have that many users using it.

edit: oh yeah, it has an adaptec sata 6 port raid5 controller.
 
I wanted to get something professional, that when i move to my new house i can add it to the home RACK when its built, so all the components are on a rack.

Doesn't matter anymore.

I bought the Dual core 2.8 Dell 9150 with free 19in flatscreen for $699. I'm going to buy 2 250-400gig HD's to RAID them.

Thanks you all
 
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