Apps to use on my new Server 2003 build

[DJMK4]

OK.

I have just built myself a small rig to use as a fileserver/download box etc.

Im just after apps to put on it, so far I just have the OS (Server 2003) fully updated, UTorrent, TightVNC.

Im after a few little geeky apps now to use, things like server monitoring (physical & network, temps etc) something that would give me added benifits like sending out a message if the tempreture rises or something similar.

Also, as I want to use it to try and stream media, is there any good media streamers out there for serving purposes to stream media to other PC's, laptops or devices on the network?

I was going to install VMWare on the server aswel just incase I needed a virtual PC at anypoint to test operating systems, is there a minimum spec that is usually required to run this smoothly?

Thanks

 

[lokkers]

is there any good media streamers out there for serving purposes to stream media to other PC's, laptops or devices on the network?

TVersity is pretty good.

I was going to install VMWare on the server aswel just incase I needed a virtual PC at anypoint to test operating systems, is there a minimum spec that is usually required to run this smoothly?

Thanks

More CPU/Ram the better, but you don't have to go mad. I would definitely look to run the VMs off a separate physical disk if possible though. I run VMware server on an E1400 (2ghz Celeron) with 2GB ram and XP/2003 VMs are perfectly usable for light work/testing (normally allocated 512-1024MB ram).

I obviously depends what your host OS is going to be doing, and what you plan to use the guests for.

 

[cokecan]

I've not got anythin installed on my box bar windows, SABnzbd, a raid monitoring tool set to email me if theres any issues and speedfan just to keep an eye on temps from time to time. other than that it's pretty much as is, access it via remote desktop if i ever need to do anything on it

 

[Sin_Chase]

Server 2003 seems rather wasted if you are not even going to use AD

 

[DJMK4]

Server 2003 seems rather wasted if you are not even going to use AD

I was using Ubuntu Server 9.04 but just got fed up of not feeling confident with it

Plus im hoping to do a lot of scripting work soon so cant really see much benifit of using a linux based OS when most of my programming is done in VBScript or similar which runs on windows.

 

[lokkers]

Server 2003 seems rather wasted if you are not even going to use AD

For a server at home, I'd recommend Windows Home Server. Especially if you aren't going to be doing Active Directory and other advanced things. You can download a 180 day trial. It's built on top of Windows 2003, but with some business features removed.

It has built in media streaming, along with automatic client backups and remote access. It's pretty slick.