paulwatson5
n00b
- Joined
- Feb 8, 2014
- Messages
- 33
Hi all, quite new year but thoroughly inspired by the networking section and my determination to learn about networking.
I'm really looking for a bit of help and advice on how I should setup my servers and some projects to run to help with learning.
Now i'll try to explain my setup....
I have a HP N40L Mircoserver in my bedroom wardrobe (no space due to kids etc) and this is upgraded to 8GB (2 x 4GB DDR3).
It runs Windows Server 2008 R2 and at present, its a file server.
I've got a 2TB external hard drive connected which performs daily backups.
Ideally I want this setup as a DHCP and DNS server. (just for experience in setting this up etc)
Now, the rest of my setup is in the garage where I have a large desk, dual monitor setup.
The network connection to my garage comes via 500mbps homeplugs so this may limit speed, but as the garage server room is literally a home project and just for learning etc im hoping that it wont get in the way.
I've got quite a bit of stuff that im looking to setup so here goes.....
Nothing is currently installed on the systems but I have a fair idea of what I want.
I would also while doing this like to learn Linux, so what better way than throw myself in at the deep end and have everything in the garage Linux based!!
Server 1.
Description Tower (ESXi box)
CPU Xeon E5420 Quad 2.5Ghz (socket 771 cpu on 775 board)
Motherboard ASUS P5KPL-AM-SE
Memory 4GB DDR2 (2 x 2GB)
OS ESXi
I want to set this up for running a few vm's (maybe in a view to move to one big ESXi box for firewall, NAS etc) I understand I would need a much more powerful system than this eventually.
Server 2.
Description Dell Optiplex 520 (Firewall)
CPU Intel Pentium D 820 2.8Ghz
Memory 2GB DDR2 (2 x 1GB)
OS Pfsense
This is the first of the 2 dell sff machines (got the pair for £20) and I like the idea of a hardware firewall running from a USB stick. I assume 2GB ram will be enough?
Server 3.
Description Dell Optiplex 520 (Web Server)
CPU Intel Pentium D 820 2.8Ghz
Memory 1GB DDR2 (2 x 512MB)
OS CentOS
Again, for learning purposes, I want to host a very small blog (maybe on my server projects!)
Server 4.
Description Supermicro
CPU Intel Celeron 2.8Ghz 775
Motherboard Supermicro P8SCi
Memory 2GB DDR2 (4 x 512MB)
OS None yet.
This is just a spare board/cpu/ram bundle at present so don't have a use at present.
Other stuff I have:
HP Thin Client (Windows 8 machine)
Cisco IP Phone
Wireless IP Camera
Linksys Wireless router (was thinking of making it a wireless hotspot for wifi for garden)
8 port netgear gigabit switch
Zigor UPS
2 empty 1u super micro rackmount cases
2 empty 1u server cases
1 empty 2u server case
1 empty 4u HP case
I would love any advice or comments on how best to setup my gear.
Here is a pic of my setup (the 2 dell machines are missing and the esxi server (tower) is in the desk cupboard.
Will post a new pic once my setup takes shape.
Any help would be much appreciated!!
I'm really looking for a bit of help and advice on how I should setup my servers and some projects to run to help with learning.
Now i'll try to explain my setup....
I have a HP N40L Mircoserver in my bedroom wardrobe (no space due to kids etc) and this is upgraded to 8GB (2 x 4GB DDR3).
It runs Windows Server 2008 R2 and at present, its a file server.
I've got a 2TB external hard drive connected which performs daily backups.
Ideally I want this setup as a DHCP and DNS server. (just for experience in setting this up etc)
Now, the rest of my setup is in the garage where I have a large desk, dual monitor setup.
The network connection to my garage comes via 500mbps homeplugs so this may limit speed, but as the garage server room is literally a home project and just for learning etc im hoping that it wont get in the way.
I've got quite a bit of stuff that im looking to setup so here goes.....
Nothing is currently installed on the systems but I have a fair idea of what I want.
I would also while doing this like to learn Linux, so what better way than throw myself in at the deep end and have everything in the garage Linux based!!
Server 1.
Description Tower (ESXi box)
CPU Xeon E5420 Quad 2.5Ghz (socket 771 cpu on 775 board)
Motherboard ASUS P5KPL-AM-SE
Memory 4GB DDR2 (2 x 2GB)
OS ESXi
I want to set this up for running a few vm's (maybe in a view to move to one big ESXi box for firewall, NAS etc) I understand I would need a much more powerful system than this eventually.
Server 2.
Description Dell Optiplex 520 (Firewall)
CPU Intel Pentium D 820 2.8Ghz
Memory 2GB DDR2 (2 x 1GB)
OS Pfsense
This is the first of the 2 dell sff machines (got the pair for £20) and I like the idea of a hardware firewall running from a USB stick. I assume 2GB ram will be enough?
Server 3.
Description Dell Optiplex 520 (Web Server)
CPU Intel Pentium D 820 2.8Ghz
Memory 1GB DDR2 (2 x 512MB)
OS CentOS
Again, for learning purposes, I want to host a very small blog (maybe on my server projects!)
Server 4.
Description Supermicro
CPU Intel Celeron 2.8Ghz 775
Motherboard Supermicro P8SCi
Memory 2GB DDR2 (4 x 512MB)
OS None yet.
This is just a spare board/cpu/ram bundle at present so don't have a use at present.
Other stuff I have:
HP Thin Client (Windows 8 machine)
Cisco IP Phone
Wireless IP Camera
Linksys Wireless router (was thinking of making it a wireless hotspot for wifi for garden)
8 port netgear gigabit switch
Zigor UPS
2 empty 1u super micro rackmount cases
2 empty 1u server cases
1 empty 2u server case
1 empty 4u HP case
I would love any advice or comments on how best to setup my gear.
Here is a pic of my setup (the 2 dell machines are missing and the esxi server (tower) is in the desk cupboard.
Will post a new pic once my setup takes shape.
Any help would be much appreciated!!