Server Hardware advice needed

[citycm]

I have been playing around with different server software this week, including Windows 2003 Server R2, Windows 2008 Server R2, Ubuntu Server, SME Server and have decided to settle on Windows 2008.

I am using this server for basic Active Domain, File Storage and Print Server (i.e. logging onto the 'domain' and accessing a network drive stored on the server, etc), so nothing too stressful like Web hosting or Exchange, etc....yet

However, this server is currently set up on an old Acer Celeron 1.8GHz laptop with 1GB Ram, so obviously this isn't ideal. I'm also using a Netgear wireless router which is great for the fact I can log onto the network using Wifi which does actually work, but again, not the best way of running a network long term.

If I got a server (say dual core 2GHz (ish) or quad core 2.4GHz (ish)), would this significantly improve the speed of the network (i.e. transferring files to and from the server)? Or am I better off just keeping the laptop I'm using now?

Also, is it possible to get a proper network hub that also has wifi?

Cheers.

 

[Andy100]

Is this for an office environment?

If it is then I'd suggest getting it off the laptop asap. You are going to want some form of raided harddrives at least, to ensure the data integrity of your domain controller.

As for speeding up data transfers, the cpu will play a small role but more important will be the kind of network interface and disk system you are using.

Almost all router suppliers sell a model with integrated wifi.

 

[TheKnat]

I would have thought that moving from the laptop to a computer with a proper network card (wired) as well as a full sized hard drive would give you the speed increases you mentioned. This doesnt have to be an expensive server and can just be a normal computer

As per the above, you can increase this further by having a raid array also setup (Raid 5 probably if your looking for speed/data security), but having a quad core processor won't make a noticable difference.

 

[citycm]

Is this for an office environment?

If it is then I'd suggest getting it off the laptop asap. You are going to want some form of raided harddrives at least, to ensure the data integrity of your domain controller.

As for speeding up data transfers, the cpu will play a small role but more important will be the kind of network interface and disk system you are using.

Almost all router suppliers sell a model with integrated wifi.

It is for an office (but only with 4 computers).

Thanks for all your advice. I will look into an actual server.

I would have thought that moving from the laptop to a computer with a proper network card (wired) as well as a full sized hard drive would give you the speed increases you mentioned. This doesnt have to be an expensive server and can just be a normal computer

As per the above, you can increase this further by having a raid array also setup (Raid 5 probably if your looking for speed/data security), but having a quad core processor won't make a noticable difference.

Thanks for your advice. The network card I'm using in the laptop to the router is a wired card, but yes I see your point about full sized hard drives, etc.