Building My First Server

D

DeadlyAura

CoalWagen
2FA
Joined
Jun 6, 2005
Messages
5,083
My dad's business calls upon me once again. The server there is old as dirt and the single hard drive has the potential to cease working at any moment.

The server doesn't need anything special since it only is going to act as data storage for 6-8 computers.

I plan on using a single Core 2 Duo processor, 4 gigs of RAM, and 3 120Gb hard drives in a RAID configuration.

I've never used a RAID array before so I have no idea which one to use or how to configure it properly. I want the drives to be redundant just in case I lose one, all the shop data is backed up on the other two and the shop operations can continue while the hard drive is down.

Also, I want to be running winamp on a shuffle playlist that we will then hook up to our phone system for hold music. I don't think this will change anything as far as harware goes, but I figured I'd throw it out there.

So tell me, for a server like this, what hardware should I be looking at, and on what OS? And also, what RAID config should I use?
 
Well if its just for simple file sharing, you can just use XP Pro x64 or Vista Business x64.

Id get a 4th drive and run RAID 10 it will be faster and wont take an expensive raid card to do since there is no parity calculation.
 
I would run windows home server. its only $99 at newegg, and has lots of cool features, including a nice web interface in case certain employees need access to their files at home etc.

I think it supports up to 10 concurrent connections if I remember correctly.

With the current price of drives I would buy 2 640gb AAKS WD drives and just run duplication. if you already have the 120gb drives use one as the OS drive, and sell the others, or use them for something else.
 
If you are trying to keep it cheap, you could run Linux and build a software RAID-5 array using MDADM.

If not, you could run Windows Server and buy a RAID card.

But whatever way you go, keep in mind that RAID is not backup. Since your storage requirements are so small, you could buy an external 250gb drive and backup the array to it periodically. Or a tape drive if you can afford it.
 
If the shop will never expand beyond 10 computers I suggest WHS as well. Get larger HD's - even a few 1tb drives to cover the client PC backups and turn duplication on for everything. Have a large drive in an external enclosure that you turn on to back up the server with.
 
for any buisness, where their data means $$ there should be a good backup plan

1) hardware looks fine
2) for RAID i would have 2 arrays (1 that is RAID6 for Data, allows two dead drives), (1 that is RAID1 for OS)
3) OS, XP pro, WHS, Server 2003, Linux, which ever you are more comfortable with
4) Backup: Have an external USB,firewire or Esata drive with schedualed backups (drive needs to be off when not in use)
Also you need an offsite backup, either online or offline, look at crashplan it will autoback up to another PC that you own in another location. Or have 2 External HDDs that you rotate, 1 in the building and 1 at your house or your Dad's house.


Since you are responsible for building and you have the knowledge of how to have a good backup plan it is your fault if there is a hardware failure and you lose all the companies data.

check out amazons online backup also...

Ockie also works for or owns a data vaulting company that could provide you with offsite backup data.
 
i would suggest a dell entry level server, with raid 5, and using server 2003, or maybe sbs.

what other needs to they have? SBS may be good for the 6 computers for Excahnge. Can use a simple pop connector to keep costs down. Remote web workplace if they like to work from home.

Either way, homebuilt servers shouldnt be in a work environment. If a part fails on it you are outa few days, with Dell or other OEM you get the part the next day.

Backup can be done through Mozy Pro or tape. Mozy Pro is 50 cents a gig so worth it.
 
you can custom build a business server..... and you can get overnight parts from CDW or newegg just like from dell....

I have build 3 servers for retail locations 1) a POS server for a resturaunt 2) file server for a geotechnical firm and 3) a private primary school.


all 3 were built with norco racks, redundant psus, various raid levels and all running VPN so i can easily remote in and do all updates and such from home.

none of them are used much, probably 25% of their capacity. I was able to save all 3 companies decent amount of $$ by not buying from dell or IBM
 
Adidas4275 said:
you can custom build a business server..... and you can get overnight parts from CDW or newegg just like from dell....

I have build 3 servers for retail locations 1) a POS server for a resturaunt 2) file server for a geotechnical firm and 3) a private primary school.


all 3 were built with norco racks, redundant psus, various raid levels and all running VPN so i can easily remote in and do all updates and such from home.

none of them are used much, probably 25% of their capacity. I was able to save all 3 companies decent amount of $$ by not buying from dell or IBM
Click to expand...

sure you can but by the time you get a server grade motherboard, server grade powersupply and all that jazz from newegg you still got a machine with a 1 year warranty.

if the hard drive fails, you have to get an advanced RMA from the drive manufacture, so sure free, but atleast 2-3 days.

if teh motherboard fails, you have to send it back to Intel/Supermicro and out a week.

Sure you can overnight a replacement part for it but thats at your cost.

If you go to Dell, part fails, you get on chat, say you need it and its at your door the next day no charge.

And I highly doubt you can build a business class machine for that much less then an OEM. With all the weekly deals you will most certainly get a better machine from an OEM.

And WHS fora business? Comeon, with 6 machines you are reaching the point wehre it would be silly not to get on a domain. Grab a server with SBS or 03, get all machines on domain with folder redirection, and permissions and a good backup.

Not worth it to get a bunch of drives throw em in a desktop computer and map some drives and hope the software raid doesn't crap out on you.

For about 2500 you can get a Dell T300, Quad Xeon, 4gb, SBS, 4 146gb drives sas in raid5, and a batter backup, and probably a RD1000 with a single tape.
 
marley1 said:
i would suggest a dell entry level server, with raid 5, and using server 2003, or maybe sbs.

what other needs to they have? SBS may be good for the 6 computers for Excahnge. Can use a simple pop connector to keep costs down. Remote web workplace if they like to work from home.

Either way, homebuilt servers shouldnt be in a work environment. If a part fails on it you are outa few days, with Dell or other OEM you get the part the next day.

Backup can be done through Mozy Pro or tape. Mozy Pro is 50 cents a gig so worth it.
Click to expand...

Read more into what Marley is suggesting. I agree with him that an oem system is the way to go. What is the current setup and what services do they use or what to use? IE how important is email? What about sharing a calendar, backing up extra things like the users desktop or entire profile? Is remote access something they would like?

Once you hit 5 users or so a true server solution starts coming into play. SBS is a great solution for smaller setups.

I'd also recommend a lower end dell server with sbs03 or 08. Personally I'd recommend a 3 or 4 drive raid 5 and either a tape backup solution or a rd1000 which is dells hard drive based backup.

How much data are we talking op?
 
i think if the OP is going to take care of his dad's server, that means that their current tech solution is old, slow or nonexistant. I recommended a data backup, offsite, and a simple raid solution.....

you do not need a domain controller and such on a simple office server, workgroups work fine for most things.... sure with 100 user names a workgoup sucks to manage usernames and passwords but were not talking about that...

anyway... to the OP, if i were in your shoes i would ask your dad for a budget, if a Dell poweredge fits the bill then go with it... if it doesnt build it, but have either RAID 1, 10, 5 or 6 with an off site backup solution.
 
Adidas4275 said:
i think if the OP is going to take care of his dad's server, that means that their current tech solution is old, slow or nonexistant. I recommended a data backup, offsite, and a simple raid solution.....

you do not need a domain controller and such on a simple office server, workgroups work fine for most things.... sure with 100 user names a workgoup sucks to manage usernames and passwords but were not talking about that...

anyway... to the OP, if i were in your shoes i would ask your dad for a budget, if a Dell poweredge fits the bill then go with it... if it doesnt build it, but have either RAID 1, 10, 5 or 6 with an off site backup solution.
Click to expand...

Current "server":
800MHz AMD
128Mb SDRAM
80Gb HDD
Windows ME

As you can see, it isn't the best of servers. Its slow, its old, and it could shit out at any moment which is bad news for the business.

We are already backing up the most important data on a 4Gb USB flash drive, but I will probably order and external drive, possibly a passport drive, so that the data can get moved off site each night. I personally don't think that we need to look into online storage at this point in time.

Also, I plan to build, not buy OEM (unless I can find something cheap). The data we have backed up can be restored to any one of the computers in our workgroup, and that computer can act as a temporary server for our management program.

Thanks for all the advice so far though. It is all good to listen to and quite informative so please, keep it coming.
 
Some of you fellows must buy really poor hardware to recommend "server" grade parts.

Considering the server that is currently in place any home computer will fill the original poster's needs.

Considering that only data sharing appears to be important in case of server failure the server functions can be moved to a different computer in short order.

There is no need for RAID. If there is only 4GB of data, a flash drive or perhaps even 4 (for 4 copies of the data) seems like a reasonable back up plan.

---

I would convert one of the existing computers to server and simply replace the existing computer.
 
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16883103187

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136074

Ok, since I realized that I don't need anything super powerful, I was looking at the above posted items.

The computer seems powerful enough to act as a server at the shop since the demand on the server is limited. I was going to add 3 WD drives in a RAID array for redundancy.

The one thing I'm not completely sure about is wheter or not the motherboard will support 3 or 4 SATA drives. That part is not mentioned in the system specs (that I saw).

Let me know what you all think of this idea.
 
Why not pick something up like a Dell SC440, which is not only cost effective, but it's designed for this solution. I would not recomend building a system for a business, for the main reason of issues that can come up down the road, and secondly, for the support contracts that are offered via a vendor such as dell.

I would go with the SC440 for example and WHS or 2k3 (same thing really). I would also look at a good backup solution that is remote and secure.
 
Eh, 2 problems if you build it yourself

You may be getting paid. but you are also the "warranty" and if your server hits the fan. You need to be there asap to fix.

I also recomend WHS. Exchange is helpful. But I seriously recommend getting a Dell server directly.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top