Question about home servers

geon106

geon106

geon106

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Newcastle, Staffordshire
I currently have a Compaq desktop running headless as a cheap home server(specs below). It is running Server 2003 and is doing the following tasks:

  • File Server
  • Print Server
  • Simple IIS Web Hosting
  • Some game server hosting

Now the server is proving to be somewhat slow(though possibly due to connection) and not very user friendly. For example, trying to get our My Document files to remain on the server in our own areas is really hard. Mostly due to the server randomly requiring us to login when accessing files despite being shared with Everyone.

I want to change therefore to an easier to use solution that will fulfill the above requirements. I was thinking of going down the Linux route. I don't know Linux that well apart from playing on Ubuntu.

I've seen the Ahmahi server software and also Ubuntu Server. I just want something easy to use, cheap(free if possible) and runs well on the following spec:

2.4Ghz P4 32-Bit CPU
1.2GB RAM
1x 500GB HD, 1x 120GB HD
Connected wirelessly to the network via a wireless router set as a bridge(though thinking of getting 2 powerline adapters to improve performance)

I'd also like to be able to access the server using Remote Desktop as an easy way to administrate the system.

Any advise would be greatly welcome :D
 
d_brennen said:
Wireless... Have you tried hard wired to see if performance improves?
Click to expand...

I have and the speed is far better. Not exactly nippy but certainly a huge improvement.

It's not terribly bad over wireless. But certainly noticable and i do think the £40 or however much for a set of powerline adapters cost would be a worthwhile investment(the server is upstairs with the printer and our Virgin modem/router is in the living room). The router downstairs is N and the router upstairs is also N

But its mostly other random issues that are making me want to rebuild the system with another OS.

It is just awkward getting file sharing to work properly and been recommended to try Linux.

But don't want to take the dive until i can get some advise
 
I know you probably aren't looking at spending out cash on upgrading or replacing hardware but have you considered grabbing an HP Microserver? Would even save on the electric bill along with being much faster.
 
Thejay said:
I know you probably aren't looking at spending out cash on upgrading or replacing hardware but have you considered grabbing an HP Microserver? Would even save on the electric bill along with being much faster.
Click to expand...

Depends on how much one would be. I've tried looking on ebay for some cheap second hand servers but most seem to not be much more powerful than mine. I shall go on a certain search engine and look for a HP Microserver
 
It can be found on various competitors websites for around £220-240 and HP are still doing £100 cashback on them....

Spec on the current one is...

- AMD Turion II Neo N40L / 1.5GHz
- 2GB DDR3 SDRAM
- HDD 1x 250GB

The CPU is a dual core 64bit and it's TDP is only 15W ;)
 
If i were you i would get a HP microserver (£250 - £100 Rebate = £150)as they consume between 30-35Watts with 1 HDD. Install WHS 2011 (£40) on the 250GB hdd then use your current HDD's for data. Buy a pair of 500mbs powerline adaptors(£50) run them to your server.
 
The lack of RAM in your current machine may be contributing to the slow speed although the biggest bottlenect is likely to be the wireless connection. Also keep in mind that the machine is quite old so does it have a 100mbps or gigabit ethernet connection when running wired? If only 100mbs then this will also hold it back a little.

Personally I like Linux on my server and I've been very impressed how little resources that Ubuntu Server takes (it flies on a low spec machine). But as you're using it for attaching a printer and because you don't have much Linux experience then I'd recommend WHS.

jamesfreddie said:
If i were you i would get a HP microserver (£250 - £100 Rebate = £150)as they consume between 30-35Watts with 1 HDD. Install WHS 2011 (£40) on the 250GB hdd then use your current HDD's for data. Buy a pair of 500mbs powerline adaptors(£50) run them to your server.
Click to expand...

^^ I agree with this :)
 
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