Discussion Forums > Technology
"Server" computer suggestions
K7IA:
haha, hisashiburi kureshii back in technology board :)
datora:
.
"A problem well stated is a problem half solved."
So, uh, do you have a budget in mind? Firm limits &/or fuzzy limits?
Operating system?
How many TB of storage do you want? Target? Like, 12 TB (6x 2TB), or more?
You seem to be saying you want this to be on 24/7 ... but are you also saying you want it to be your workstation at the same time? Are your workstation and your server (intended to be) two separate machines?
And, what are you "serving" to ..? One or two computers in your house? The Internet? A dozen other computers? Managing a VPN?
It seems you're looking for a massive storage solution that you can access from one or two points. Access could be direct via switch (in-house), or managed via a router, or through an actual box constructed/configured as a fileserver/firewall. Is it intended that your server handle only file management, or will you be running apps/games/streaming multimedia/ etc.? Across the Internet?
The device that acts as your server/router is a separate consideration from your storage array. You can turn an old laptop into a linux server, so long as it has "high-enough" data throughput to the storage solution. It's a matter of where you want to apply available funds/resources. Buy a new CPU box, or rebuild an older one? Free those funds up to invest in very reliable storage solution that meets noise & cooling needs.
If budget is not too much the limiting factor, you could consider getting 2x (or more) NAS solutions. For example, this would hold 4x 2.5" drives:
- http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822108032
Has Gbit ethernet & eSATA. Would be very quiet & cool compared to 3.5" drives, and each NAS could have have 4x 1TB drives today. Add new NAS when you need your next 4GB chunk ... or, larger drives probably available "soon." Two of these running off a microATX mini-box with something like an AMD Phenom II X2 core (and, that would be overkill, but 'comfortably adequate' into the future). Or a good router.
Gbit network cards come in both PCI and PCIe w/ solid Intel NICs coming in ~$30, so you have options to add them in to older systems &/or mix & match on a newer board. But, maybe just get a Gbit switch and let your network server/router figure it out from there ... meaning, one RJ45 to your NAS stack via switch and another off to the rest of the network.
So, it seems the question is, do you need a server? Maybe you just need a storage solution?
Sosseres:
Thanks for the feedback people. I'll take it into consideration when looking at what to buy this or next weekend and post back with some more concrete things then. :)
--- Quote from: datora on September 09, 2010, 06:37:12 PM ---So, uh, do you have a budget in mind? Firm limits &/or fuzzy limits?
--- End quote ---
I do not have a set limit, I just don't want to get an overly expensive solution for no real reason. So limit at $2k or so, though I don't want to get near that.
--- Quote from: datora on September 09, 2010, 06:37:12 PM ---Operating system?
--- End quote ---
I have a legal version of 7 lying around here, could also get a linux distro for it if I wanted to...
--- Quote from: datora on September 09, 2010, 06:37:12 PM ---How many TB of storage do you want? Target? Like, 12 TB (6x 2TB), or more?
--- End quote ---
I actually stated that in the OP, a minimum of 4 TB. That is what I need, I can always use more. ^^
--- Quote from: datora on September 09, 2010, 06:37:12 PM ---You seem to be saying you want this to be on 24/7 ... but are you also saying you want it to be your workstation at the same time? Are your workstation and your server (intended to be) two separate machines?
--- End quote ---
Two separate machines, there were several things in the OP that pointed towards that. Like LAN wake-up, two network cards/router. I basically want a file server since my current setup is annoying sound wise due to being powerful without water cooling or great fans. This also leads to high wattage for something on 24/7.
--- Quote from: datora on September 09, 2010, 06:37:12 PM ---And, what are you "serving" to ..? One or two computers in your house? The Internet? A dozen other computers? Managing a VPN?
--- End quote ---
First case is my own computer. Might climb to two if somebody is over here. In the long term (if I get a good connection) I might use it as a file server online. Hence the "" marks around it.
--- Quote from: datora on September 09, 2010, 06:37:12 PM ---It seems you're looking for a massive storage solution that you can access from one or two points. Access could be direct via switch (in-house), or managed via a router, or through an actual box constructed/configured as a fileserver/firewall. Is it intended that your server handle only file management, or will you be running apps/games/streaming multimedia/ etc.? Across the Internet?
--- End quote ---
In-house since I do not have the connection to use it from other places. It is meant for file management, heaviest usage would probably be mounting isos from another computer or watching HD content on another computer from this computer's hdd.
--- Quote from: datora on September 09, 2010, 06:37:12 PM ---The device that acts as your server/router is a separate consideration from your storage array. You can turn an old laptop into a linux server, so long as it has "high-enough" data throughput to the storage solution. It's a matter of where you want to apply available funds/resources. Buy a new CPU box, or rebuild an older one? Free those funds up to invest in very reliable storage solution that meets noise & cooling needs.
If budget is not too much the limiting factor, you could consider getting 2x (or more) NAS solutions. For example, this would hold 4x 2.5" drives:
- http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822108032
Has Gbit ethernet & eSATA. Would be very quiet & cool compared to 3.5" drives, and each NAS could have have 4x 1TB drives today. Add new NAS when you need your next 4GB chunk ... or, larger drives probably available "soon." Two of these running off a microATX mini-box with something like an AMD Phenom II X2 core (and, that would be overkill, but 'comfortably adequate' into the future). Or a good router.
Gbit network cards come in both PCI and PCIe w/ solid Intel NICs coming in ~$30, so you have options to add them in to older systems &/or mix & match on a newer board. But, maybe just get a Gbit switch and let your network server/router figure it out from there ... meaning, one RJ45 to your NAS stack via switch and another off to the rest of the network.
So, it seems the question is, do you need a server? Maybe you just need a storage solution?
--- End quote ---
Basically I do need a storage solution that does torrenting, some other minor things I want on 24/7. Either switching port on the screen or remote management with gui is probably useful for some of the things I would have running but not needed. The NAS you linked is the type I don't want due to too few HDD ports, something I also mentioned in the OP. I dislike the solution of multiples of them.
I do not have any useful old hardware lying around as far as I know. I could probably move one or two hdd from my current box as well as taking the chassi as I mentioned. Other than that I give away old computer parts to relatives or friends instead of having them lying around. I am not interested in upgrading my main computer (at this time) since it can play games such as SC2 on ultra and has an i7 in it.
rostheferret:
Your main PC would be limited playing games by the graphics card, not the processor, though this is besides the point of the question being asked. If you're comfortable doing self-builds it would probably work out a lot cheaper in the long run.
* The Antec 300 - as mentioned - is a solid bet as it has space for 6 HDDs and is from a reliable manufacturer.
* You can get 2TB HDDs, but it might be worth waiting and reading up on them as data is packed so tightly that sometimes they're a little buggy (my Hitachi used to keep finding orphaned files, which seems to have resolved itself now that theres some more stuff on it, weirdly). Also, as someone else mentioned, using slower RPM drives would generate less heat. Something like a 5400 might work well.
* Something like a Corsair 450W PSU would be a reliable bet, and can supply the power to all 6 drives.
* Gigabyte and Asus are the standard "go to" for Motherboards. Maybe something like a P45 UD3 Gigabyte? Again, you can plug in all 6 SATA HDDs at the same time, and it can take an intel Core 2 Duo which should be fine for processing purposes, and is generally pretty good heat wise (else so many laptops wouldn't use them). You may like the look of the new i-range of processors, but power efficient they ain't. Also, it uses DDR2 which is now cheap as anything.
You can skip the graphics card, you should run fine without one. As for RAID, I plead ignorant here. Since most of these components are being phased out you should be able to pick them up fairly cheaply; $40 for the case, $200 for a couple of 2TB HDDs, maybe $40 again for PSU and $150 for the mobo/processor. $450 total, with plenty of room to upgrade to 12TB should you need to. This is just intended as a guideline to get you started, I'd do my research before pencilling anything in; look up some benchmarks on tomshardware.com and see if you can find any reliable info on how well the Antec300 manages to cool things down.
TorturdChaos:
--- Quote from: rostheferret on September 09, 2010, 10:49:12 PM ---The Antec 300 - as mentioned - is a solid bet as it has space for 6 HDDs and is from a reliable manufacturer.[/li][/list]
--- End quote ---
I have the Antec 300 Illusion case for my main computer. Only difference between it and the regular 300 is the Illusion comes with 2 fans in the front
I have to say I am very happy with it for a case. Came with a crap load of screws, and even more thumb screws. And the front comes off very easily to clean the filter.
I have 3 hard drives in it so far, and could easily put 3 more hard drives in it.
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