Home server Q's

two slow · Post by **two slow** » Sat Aug 02, 2003 2:38 pm

Does a home server need to have a fast cpu?
How much ram should it have?

It will be connected to a router with cat5. It will mostly be used downloaded files and backup stuff.
I'm also thinking about useing it for the 56k internet connection. Here I'm looking for pros and cons.

Also, is there a way to install Office xp and all my other apps and games and use them on the work stations?

renovation · Post by **renovation** » Sat Aug 02, 2003 2:53 pm

if you got cable -use it . im sure you will pull that 56k modem really fast if you dont and have cable - plus if you think of what the phone line cost /cable in most cases is not a lot more if any .

two slow · Post by **two slow** » Sat Aug 02, 2003 3:05 pm

the only option in the area is 56K, the opinions i was looking for was, if it was better to use the server to connect to the internet or if it would be better to have my main rig do that.

Post by **FlyingPenguin** » Sat Aug 02, 2003 3:25 pm

If all you're using it for is a file server it really doesn't need much horsepower.

I use mine as a file and print server, also as a dedicated CD burner. For a long time I used a P2-300, then I went to an Athlon 700 which was more than adequate.

Last month I built a new server around an Athlon 2000. Major overkill, but I had a mobo and CPU to spare after upgrading my workstation and with the 700 I would have slow file sharing while also burning a CD and that's not a problem with the 2000.

I burn a LOT of stuff for clients and it's handy to have a decicated machine for burning. I often do large quantities of burns while playing Day of Defeat - not somethign you can easily do on the same system at one time.

My workstation is setup so that my Documents folder is on the server - that way I can do work from any computer in the house (kitchen, livingroom or the laptop). That also ensures that my data is not stuck on the workstation if the workstation crashes.

My MP3 collection is also on the server so I can play my music from any computer.

I use Windows 2000 Pro on the server. I do NOT recommend using a server OS unless you have more than 10 simultaneous users (unlikely at home) or just want to practice administering a server.

A server OS is overkill in most file sharing situations, and also adds a lot of complexity. For instance the standard versions of NAV and McAfee won't work on Server OSes (although AVG will).

A client just upgraded to a CD-RW for data backups and I gave her a $100 credit for a very nice DSS4 tape backup drive (new cost $350) and a SCSI Bus Controller for it. I was going to resell it, but I think instead I will install it in my server.

I backup my data manually to my laptop and a USB compact flash drive every day, but there's other files archived on the server that are not backed up regularly (reference material, clipart, fonts, backup files). Stuff I could afford to lose, but it would be a nuisance.

Anyway, my bare minimum recomanedations would be a 500 Mhz CPU, 256Mb ram (for Win2K or XP), any POS video card, since access speed is not an issue you can use a 5400 RPM drive if you have one lying around. Use Win2K Pro or WinXP Pro.

You don't need to leave a monitor, keyboard and mouse connected to it. You can use a free remote control program like TightVNC: http://www.tightvnc.com/

Just configure BIOS not to give an error if the keyboard is not detected.

Also, is there a way to install Office xp and all my other apps and games and use them on the work stations?

No sure I follow you here. You can put your document files on the server, and then use them from any computer that has Office installed.

Are you asking if you can install a game or an app on the server and then run it from a workstation? You COULD map a drive letter to the server and do that, but it would be foolish and serve no useful purpose. Apps still have to be installed locally on each machine, and performance will be slower if an app is loading from a networked drive.

In general what you want to keep on the server is DATA. There's several ways of doing this. You can change the path of the Documents folder on your workstations so they point to a folder on the server, or you can just get in the habit of copying anything important to the server.

I do both. My documents folder is on the server. However there are other files (like web sites that I'm working on) that reside on my workstation, but whenever I make any changes I always copy it to a folder called "Backups" on the server, and rename it according to the date.

I do the same with my Quickbook backups - I back them up to the server although the main company file is on my workstation.

opinions i was looking for was, if it was better to use the server to connect to the internet or if it would be better to have my main rig do that.

Neither. I used to use my old P2-300 as an Internet router, but that was before hardware routers were so cheap. Nowadays you can get a hardware router for $40 or less, so it's a no brainer to just use a router and connect all your computers to it. This assumes you have broadband.

If you're on dialup then you have no choice - you need to use a computer to share the connection. If there's more than one computer then you might as well setup the server to share the dialup, but if it's just your workstation you might as well dialup locally.

two slow · Post by **two slow** » Sat Aug 02, 2003 4:24 pm

If there's more than one computer then you might as well setup the server to share the dialup

will this slow the connection any?

Are you asking if you can install a game or an app on the server and then run it from a workstation? You COULD map a drive letter to the server and do that, but it would be foolish and serve no useful purpose. Apps still have to be installed locally on each machine, and performance will be slower if an app is loading from a networked drive.

What I was hoping for here was that I could use 20 to 40 gig HDDs in the work stations and have all my large drives in the server. I'm trying to do this with my existing hardware, but it looks like I may need to pick up a couple HDDs. And maybe a CPU.
Here is what I was planing to use for a server.
Soyo Dragon+
512 ddr2100
900 Tbird
2x 80gig WDJBs In a raid-0
gf4 420mx
no sound. I do have a 14" monitor and keyboard and mouse.
2Kpro

Sean · Post by **Sean** » Sat Aug 02, 2003 8:23 pm

That would make a really nice server.

two slow · Post by **two slow** » Sat Aug 02, 2003 9:03 pm

looks like I'll have to pick up a psu and a HDD in order to use that for a server.

PreDatoR · Post by **PreDatoR** » Sat Aug 02, 2003 9:51 pm

when i had a server i put all of my big drives in there. Right befoer i sold it i had 4 80 gig drives installed in it and the other 2 rigs had smaller drives since everything was stored on the server. Their nice but for me it was taking up to much space so i sold it to a buddy of mine and took out 3 of the hdd's. It was a XP2000 and folded very well. I also ran it as a dual boot and would play with New OS's that were coming out. worked out nice actually and now that i got rid of it i do miss it but it just wasn't real practical for a home anyways. What FP does with his if i was doing that i'd definately have a server going though

two slow · Post by **two slow** » Sat Aug 02, 2003 10:16 pm

I'm always trying stuff on my main rig. It gets kinda screwy sometimes so I format and lose stuff. so I thought that having a server would save me from losing so much stuff.

Post by **FlyingPenguin** » Sat Aug 02, 2003 11:09 pm

Sharing you dialup will certainly slow down browsing IF two people are loading a page at the same time.

However during casual browsing it won't be much of a problem. We used to share a dialup at work between 3 people before we got broadband.

One of you starts a download though, your bandwidth is shot.

canton_kid · Post by **canton_kid** » Sun Aug 03, 2003 11:25 am

I've never been able to get the dialup sharing to work for me.

Is this because the system with the modem is win98se and the other 2 are 2k pro?
It looks like it should be simple enough, it just never worked!

Main reason the net system (wifes) is 98se still is I cannot get any system with any modem running 2k pro to get a decent connection. All externals are the exact same as used on the wifes, just unplug the phone line from hers and plug into mine! But Biostar, Shuttle, Iwill, useing 2 cheap modems will not connect much more than 19k, and the new Supra would never even dial! The only thing in common is that all systems are running 2k pro, and all modems have been tried in all slots in all systems! One at at time of course.
Except the win 98 one, can't play with it!

I also am gettng poor results with the external creative modem on the serial port on my Iwill system. I know it used to connect at around 33k on the wifes system in 98se.

I too am setting up a 2k pro system as a server. If the modems would work I would change this one last holdout over to 2k also

two slow · Post by **two slow** » Sun Aug 03, 2003 10:59 pm

the best 56K modem I have found is a Lucent winmodem that ame from a dell. I have yet been able to find another, external or internal that will connect at the speed of this one. I'm going to hate it when this one dies, because I haven't found anouther one like it.

canton_kid · Post by **canton_kid** » Tue Aug 05, 2003 1:00 pm

I'll forgo the dialup improvements for now I geuss.

ISP is putting in the wireless I was talking about. Virtual T1 1.5MBS and I should have it in about 30 days suposedly.

The wireless modem is a 4 or 5 port switch also I found out, so I'll have wireless available to all my systems on the lan, just use that hub/switch and put away the linksys

Or if need be I can also add the linksys to the network for more ports and systems later.