Home server on a tight budget / using old parts

dtokez

dtokez

dtokez

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I'm thinking about knocking together a server from the many old spare pc bits I have, this will be used at home to store photos and backups. I have no idea about raid set ups but would want 4 drives running in 2x mirrored config.

I know you can get microservers for around the 100 quid mark but i'm just wondering what the minimum spec would be to run some server software - could I do it on something like a p35 or p45 setup?
 
dtokez said:
wondering what the minimum spec would be to run some server software - could I do it on something like a p35 or p45 setup?
Click to expand...

64bit anything will run server software, the question is what performance you need.

Start by listing what you want it to do ie.

1. Media streaming and how many streams if SD or HD
2. Website and how many concurrent connections
3. Mail server
etc
etc

Then you can spec the hardware and then arrive at the cost. Then the hard bit what do you compromise to meet your budget:)
 
Easily.

It does depend on what you want it to do and what OS you feel comfortable with though, anything Linux server based would be better than a Windows variant but if small Atom processors with 512MB ram can run a NAS then your kit must be able to spin up a basic server.
 
I would need to pull a HD stream, pronably only one to a raspberry pi or Xbox. Won't be needing mail boxes or more than one web connection

Not very clued up on Linux based stuff, and never used any other server is, what should I look into?

Cheers guys
 
dtokez said:
I would need to pull a HD stream, pronably only one to a raspberry pi or Xbox. Won't be needing mail boxes or more than one web connection
Cheers guys
Click to expand...

I have in the past run NAS4FREE on an AMD 64 single (AM2) core process and 2Gbytes of RAM. It managed to stream HD without any problems, I also used it as backup storage.

NAS4FREE as do other Open Source variants have Youtube videos on how to? So I would start there initially. Then build one and have a play before committing yourself to storing data on it. Best way to learn:)

P.S Key an eye on the clearance corner, I've picked up some bargain over the years and most of my kit has been purchased from there.
 
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dtokez said:
thanks mate. what do you think would be better to start off with, freenas or nas4free?
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I tend to favor NAS4FREE only because when FREENAS became more commercial a few years ago it didn't support uPnP/DLNA streaming. At this time FREENAS split into FREENAS and NAS4FREE, with the latter adhering more to open source values.

Check out the feature set of both and flip a coin:) Both are excellent products.
 
dtokez said:
thanks. are they both fairly simple to get up and running or is one more complex than the other?
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Both very straight forward, there are plenty of forums and youtube videos for help. Both use Web (dashboard) front ends for configuration and most items are explained. The best thing to do is just get stuck in and have a play, but be prepared to rebuild several time you never just get it how you want first time. You can even get them to email you health and status reports:)
 
Sounds good, cheers for the advice :) so I guess it is just a case of download, burn, install, boot then log into via another machine to configure? Will have a go later :)
 
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