Building a Home Server

Dreamforger

Dreamforger

Dreamforger

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From the looks of things in this forum this thread will look somewhat ridiculous but I am in need of help regarding a Home Server in terms of what components, case and any possible software, but first let me explain a little bit. I am new to building computers but have a good understanding and knowledge of hardware.

I am looking to build the Home Server as a project for a college course as I'm studying computing and currently looking at hardware side of things and soon progressing into networking and web hosting (where my interests truly lies).

1) Primarily I need to design one that can obviously store all my media files such as films, tv shows, music and have the processing power to allow people accessing the server to stream them at once.

2) It needs to be able to allow multiple users pull files from it at once, whether this be 1080p videos or simply viewing pictures.

3) I want it to be be suitable for possible web hosting in the future

4) It may end up being used as my primary computer so processing power for general server uses and also be able to cope with video editing and encoding (this may just be done on my current pc depending on replies and opinions)

5) I need to be able to build it myself as part of the project so money is an issue and I'm not able to use a pre-built system such as a NAS or a barebone.

6) I also want it to be able to support the use of a VPN (I'm not sure how much of a strain this may have on the components or maybe a bit to much with what else I have in mind)

I am currently looking at the following components:

Intel Core i3-2100 3.10GHz
Asus P8Z68-V LX Intel Z68 (Socket 1155) DDR3 Motherboard
Corsair XMS3 4GB (2x2GB) DDR3 PC3-12800C9 1600MHz Dual Channel Kit
OCZ Agility 3 60GB 2.5" SATA-3 Solid State Hard Drive - Boot Drive
Western Digital Caviar Green 2TB - Video Drive (Already in use)
Western Digital Caviar Green 1TB - Music Drive (Already in use)
Corsair Builder Series 430W '80 Plus' Power Supply
BitFenix Merc Alpha Gaming Case (For the amount of space, possible cooling and drive bays)

I also plan on using Windows Home Server 2011

My main questions are:
1) The components I have picked - are they sufficient? Are they OTT? Do I need anything else or in particular?

2) Will WHS2011 give me the support to stream media and act as proper server software?

3) Is the use of an SSD worth it?

4) If I was to use part of the server for minor web hosting how much space would I need and what software would I require?

5) Is there anything else I need to consider?

Also when I have additional cash in hand I will be looking to Raid drives and for back-up purposes.
Thank you to everyone in advance and sorry for giving you a wall of text to brief through, any and all feedback is appreciated.

Regards,
Dreamforger
 
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Components are way over the top, don't use a server for video editing if you have seperate PC.

Your server will probably be on 24/7 so you can stream media to any device on your netowkr anytime so one of your primary concerns should be power consumption look to keep this as low as possible.

Ditch the SSD totally over the top for a server build of this spec.
Ditch the processor and go lower powered for lower power consumption.
Ditch at least half the RAM your server won't need it.
Bump up the number of data drives and agregate them in a RAID for speed and reliability.
DON'T FORGET SOME SORT OF BACKUP HARD DISKS FAIL, RAID IS NOT BACKUP!

WHS Will be fine for what you need as will any version of Linux or a desktop windows OS or a full blown windows server OS.

Space for webhosting depends entirely on what you want to host, web pages tend to be tiny but content can rackup if your using it to display a photography portfolio or lots of videos. To host a website all you will need is a web server programe windows would generally be IIS which is built into the server builds but you could go third part with something like apache.
 
I would change the cpu for Pentium DC 620T or a i3 2100. also i would stick with 8GB of ram as it is quite cheap and you would need at least 2 gb. Get rid of the ssd. if you are going with raid you will need a card with ROC. Also you should make a offsite backup in a external HDD. Down the PSU to a corsair CX430 or CX500 as they are cheaper and less powerfull but even more efficant. you should not need any more than a 350W PSU. You could also go down to something like a P8H61-M As you cant overclock and you are not video rendering.

YOUR BASKET
2 x Samsung SpinPoint F4 EcoGreen 2TB SATA-II 32MB Cache - OEM (HD204UI) £139.99 (£279.98)
1 x Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2x4GB) DDR3 PC3-12800C8 1600MHz Dual Channel Kit (CMZ8GX3M2A1600C8) £67.99
1 x Asus P8H61-M Intel H61 Chipset (Socket 1155) DDR3 Motherboard **B3 REVISION** £61.99
1 x Intel Pentium G840 2.80GHz (Sandybridge) Socket LGA1155 Processor - Retail £61.99
1 x Antec 300 Three Hundred Ultimate Gaming Case - Black £48.98
1 x Corsair Builder Series CX 430W V2 '80 Plus' Power Supply (CMPSU-430CXUKV2) £37.99
1 x Akasa AK-CC4009EP01 Venom Pico Compact CPU Cooler (Intel LGA775/LGA1155/LGA1156/AM2/AM2+/AM3/FM1) £16.99
2 x Antec Tri-Cool 3-Speed 120mm Fan - Black £1.99 (£3.98)
Total : £594.91 (includes shipping : £12.50).

Or.

YOUR BASKET
1 x Intel Core i5-2300 2.80GHz (Sandybridge) Socket LGA1155 Processor - Retail £145.99
1 x Asus P8Z68-V GEN3 Intel Z68 (Socket 1155) DDR3 Motherboard £144.98
2 x Samsung SpinPoint F4 EcoGreen 2TB SATA-II 32MB Cache - OEM (HD204UI) £139.99 (£279.98)
1 x Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2x4GB) DDR3 PC3-12800C8 1600MHz Dual Channel Kit (CMZ8GX3M2A1600C8) £67.99
1 x Corsair Builder Series CX 600W V2 '80 Plus' Power Supply (CMPSU-600CXUKV2) £59.99
1 x Antec 300 Three Hundred Ultimate Gaming Case - Black £48.98
1 x Akasa AK-CC4009EP01 Venom Pico Compact CPU Cooler (Intel LGA775/LGA1155/LGA1156/AM2/AM2+/AM3/FM1) £16.99
2 x Antec Tri-Cool 3-Speed 120mm Fan - Black £1.99 (£3.98)
Total : £783.90 (includes shipping : £12.50).

Also remember DONT USE THE MACHINE FOR ANYTHING ELSE!
 
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I completely agree about downgrading the CPU no that I've taken what has been said into consideration - I'll go for the i3 2100 @ 3.1GHz (maybe the 3.3Ghz if people say otherwise) but I'll keep the motherboard as it is. In terms of down-grading the RAM to 4GB (2x2GB) which gives the room for expansion if needed in the future for whatever reason. The hard drives mentioned I already have in possession so I shan't be buying more as of yet but will in the future.
I do have a 1TB external which I will use a back-up once the data is moved from it to the server once it's built. But I shall include the additional drives into the server at some point when I have the extra money.
The only thing that's I'd actually be using the server for other that what I have stated is maybe watching the films directly from itself (from time to time) rather than streaming them from a different computer, I doubt that would affect the overall server performance though.
 
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Dreamforger said:
I completely agree about downgrading the CPU no that I've taken what has been said into consideration - I'll go for the i3 2100 @ 3.1GHz (maybe the 3.3Ghz if people say otherwise) but I'll keep the motherboard as it is. In terms of down-grading the RAM to 4GB (2x2GB) which gives the room for expansion if needed in the future for whatever reason. The hard drives mentioned I already have in possession so I shan't be buying more as of yet but will in the future.
I do have a 1TB external which I will use a back-up once the data is moved from it to the server once it's built. But I shall include the additional drives into the server at some point when I have the extra money.
The only thing that's I'd actually be using the server for other that what I have stated is maybe watching the films directly from itself (from time to time) rather than streaming them from a different computer, I doubt that would affect the overall server performance though.
Click to expand...

Once the server is setup leave it. Dont use it as a PC. Dont use it as a HTPC etc. just a SERVER
 
I use a single stick of 4gb ddr3 in my server. As it is on 24/7 I try get power consumption as low as poss.. I also disabled HT..

I got a i3 540 and mobo for £85 (second hand) and with the stick of 4gb, total cost was £100
 
agree with the above, don't use a server as your main pc, it's just a false economy. RAID will help with data resiliance, but you need to have a backup solution, if everything's on there and it goes down, what would happen?
 
I don't actually know why I put that in my reply, I have no intention to use the server as my main pc at all, I was being a bit of a pillock. I have decided to go with the i3 2100 with 4gb RAM, sounds sufficient and energy efficient from what I have researched. It shall be on and left.

The RAID I may have to pro-long until I have the extra money but will put into place as soon as it is possible. At this part I do feel rather embarrassed but I'm going to have to ask what RAID setup is best for this type of server and why, I have never RAID my drives before since I have never had a need to so I'm lacking a complete understanding of it.

Another side note, is anyone able to recommend near silent, yet sufficient 120mm fans for the Bitfenix and a decent CPU cooler as I need it to be cool but can't stand noise, which I get from my current machine (it tries to compete against the sound of the washing machine!)

Dream
 
If you are going for the i3 and the antec 300 you should be able to use the cooler i put in the builds. passive as the antec 300 has a 120mm exhaust and 140mm exhaust so air flow should be OK. If you are looking for quiet fans look at the noctua 120 + 140 mm fans they are near silent at 7V. But they are quite expensive. In WHS 2011 there is not much point of raid you may as well make a backup to a diffrent HDD, ie a 3TB WD HDD. To make good use of raid you need to run raid 5 with 5-6 HDDs
 
I'm very close to putting everything on order, the last thing I'm dancing around is an efficient yet silent (or as quiet as it can possibly be) PSU, very tempted by the Corsair Builder Series CX 600W V2 '80 Plus' Power Supply due to it's review and the reputation of Corsair and it'll be saving me £10. Also torn by the -
Antec TruePower New Modular 650W '80 Plus Bronze' Power Supply

Reason for the Antec being simply the amount additional connectors available, allowing more drives to be put into place and any unused cables can be removed if not is use making the inside of the case tidier.
 
I have an i3 540 in my server, replaced an aging AMD X2. System is:

i3 530 @3.1ghz
2Gb ram
Micro ATX board of somesort!
Antex earthwatts 380W PSU
and 6 hard drives. I use WHS v1 so no need for any raid card etc. The reason for MATX was so it had onboard video. Pulls around 65 watts from the plug when idle. I have an APC UPS as well. It goes a bit mental if the plug is pulled without shutting down!
 
I was considering an MATX board for the size but I'm being a picky bugger with the Z68 chipset and whilst I could go with a Zotac I feel that's more of a HTPC type board and it lacks SATA connectors (which isn't surprising due to its size). Good to see that a lot of people use a lot lower Watts in their PSU than I had initially expected. Could save a fair bit there.
 
jamesfreddie said:
YOU DONT NEED A PSU ANY BIGGER THAN 450W! JUST GO WITH THE CORSAIR!
Click to expand...

Check the link, I was referring to the 430W Corsair Builder series :P Everything is on order and should be here by Friday, going to have lots of fun putting the system together, thank you to everyone for your feedback and comments, it's really appreciated.

Dream
 
It's to do with the college work and for my own sense of satisfaction. I need to provide evidence of actually being able to build a computer from scratch and be able to configure it properly as part of the course and I also want the satisfaction of building it myself as this will be the first rig I would have put together myself along with I feel it would be a decent learning curve.
 
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