Server OS

P4Clock · 13 Feb 2016 at 22:03

I have picked up a cheap u1 blade server of a pal via his work.
i am wanting to know the most simple OS to set up the server just for home use

P4Clock · 14 Feb 2016 at 16:14

i have only ever used windows so that would be best, the server is for backups and file storage.
I was going to get a nas and drop a few 1tb's in it, but when i was offered the server i thought i would be a good way to learn a new OS/system type as well as having all the benefits of the nas

Server = HP ProLiant DL140 G3
it came with a Small rack/case and switch.
the loft was fitted out a few years ago and i have dont nothing with it so going to dump all this up there.

i do have a unused win7 retail licence i would have just used that if i new i could. i was under the impression it have to be a dedicated sever os?

P4Clock · 15 Feb 2016 at 02:38

nutcase_1uk said:
That is VERY old. Up to Generation 9 now.

it cost £20, with a small cabinet and a switch.
it old and prob slow but home use its about 100 time more powerful than a nas box

P4Clock · 15 Feb 2016 at 15:53

Semple said:
What processor has it got in there?

Granted you won't pick anything new up for that price, but if it's got a low/medium-end chip, it'll only be on par with processing power of a new system, albeit much more power hungry.

You can use your W7 OS if needed, doesn't have to be a server o/s to install on a server.

it as dual quad core Xeon X5365, i am not saying it will be 100 time faster than a modern server but i was looking at a £90 Thecus NAS N2310.
if i find it to be power hungry i can take a cpu out

P4Clock · 15 Feb 2016 at 15:56

Craig321 said:
I would go for ESXi on a pen drive, then install whatever you want inside that, with the VMs stored on the HDDs. At least then you're not tied down to a single OS.

That's if you want to spend some time playing and setting up of course.

just had a look at a 2hr set of tutorial and that looks fantastic. i will have to have a look into this

P4Clock · 16 Feb 2016 at 01:18

rotor said:
It's not the CPU that's power hungry. It's everything.

That Xeon is around 2x as powerful as the G1610T in the MicroServer Gen8, so given you have 2 of them, around 4x as powerful overall. But probably around 10x the power consumption, which isn't cheap in the UK. At 11p per kWh (what I pay for my electricity), 200W is £0.53 per DAY, or £193 per year. 200W adds up quick when it's running 24x7.

The £20 is worth paying just for the experience of playing with and setting up a proper server. But definitely not worth running 24x7.

I do take your point there buddy.

Edit:
I could have a sleep and wake timer? i work out of the house from 4pm and dont turn a system in the home on till after 8am so the server could be offline from 4:30pm till 7am. £197 per year would then be around £80