What does a home server require for a total beginner?

sastusbulbas · 12 May 2013 at 20:12

Hi all,

I am curious about home servers, what can be expected of them, and what hardware is required, I seem to see conflicting reports on how much CPU, Ram, etc they require?

I used to use Windows 7 and Homegroup, but files were split between PC's and the main PC had to be on for streaming movies. I gave that up when my main PC went through a funny stage.

To be honest, I think I would like to have something that all three PC's save all their music, photo's and any other manner of data with some sort of safe guards for data security. While also being able to use as a server for TS type stuff, a server for Minecraft or other simple games maybe?
That all PC's have access too but have no permission to delete within, with DLNA connectivity, and the ability to remote access from work via PC, Mac, or phone?

But what sort of CPU and motherboard is required? Memory? PSU?

Do I want Raid?

And what software is better? Windows Server 2012? Or Amahi?

Can PC's access the internet via the server? With remote parental controls and the ability to close internet access?

Can phones as well as PC's stream music and movies from such?

Can TV cards be added if required?

I really have no idea what servers at home can be utilized for these days?

I have three old PC's worth of 775 kit, and to be honest, I am wondering if any of it would be better served as a Server than in use as a PC.

dfarrall · 12 May 2013 at 20:51

1. Depends what your running, how many players etc.
2. Is the data important enough to back up?
3. Never used Ahami but windows will be a lot more flexible compared to it.
4. Yes if you set up a VPN or use it as a DHCP server.
5. Yes
6. Yes, driver support may be lacking, but more importantly why would you want a TV card in a server?
7. The same as any other server.. The only difference between home servers and enterprise servers is the hardware, you can make it do whatever you need it to.
8. If your not using it maybe.

Frozennova · 12 May 2013 at 20:52

I am curious about home servers, what can be expected of them, and what hardware is required, I seem to see conflicting reports on how much CPU, Ram, etc they require?

I used to use Windows 7 and Homegroup, but files were split between PC's and the main PC had to be on for streaming movies. I gave that up when my main PC went through a funny stage.

To be honest, I think I would like to have something that all three PC's save all their music, photo's and any other manner of data with some sort of safe guards for data security. While also being able to use as a server for TS type stuff, a server for Minecraft or other simple games maybe?
That all PC's have access too but have no permission to delete within, with DLNA connectivity, and the ability to remote access from work via PC, Mac, or phone? Most of this is OS dependant, something like Windows Home Server would give you the easiest setup for most of this.

But what sort of CPU and motherboard is required? Memory? PSU?

Hardware can be as simple and a dual core cpu, 4gb ram and dependant on storage requirements a board with as many SATA ports as possible or dedicated hardware RAID/HBA adapter.

Do I want Raid?

Is you data critical, could you get over a dead drive resulting in masses of lost data. If not then yes you want raid.

And what software is better? Windows Server 2012? Or Amahi?

This comes down to what you want to do with the server. Personally I use FreeNAS but as you want DLNA, game servers and a simple way of setting per user file/folder permissions then Windows Home Server is ideal.

Can PC's access the internet via the server? With remote parental controls and the ability to close internet access?

This would require virtualising your Main server OS and a Firewall operating system such as pfsense IIRC.

Can phones as well as PC's stream music and movies from such?

This depends if you are willing to open certain ports to the outside world, but I can be done using the Plex server and plex app on the phones.

Can TV cards be added if required?

Yes, they can placed in the server to run a backend to feed XBMC etc.

I really have no idea what servers at home can be utilized for these days?

Personally mine is used for file storage for my media setup (OpenElec running on a raspberrypi) couchpotato, sickbeard, headphones and Sabnzb.

I have three old PC's worth of 775 kit, and to be honest, I am wondering if any of it would be better served as a Server than in use as a PC.[/QUOTE]

FWIW my current home server sits like this.

YOUR BASKET
1 x Corsair Builder Series CX 430W V2 '80 Plus Bronze' Power Supply (CP-9020046-UK) £40.99
1 x Microsoft Windows Home Server 2011 64Bit (1 Server & 10 Client Licenses) - OEM (CCQ-00128) £39.98
1 x Gigabyte 78LMT-USB3 AMD 760G (Socket AM3+) DDR3 Motherboard £39.95
1 x AMD Sempron X2 190 2.50GHz Dual Core Processor (Socket AM3) - Retail £29.99
1 x Corsair Value 4GB (2x2GB) DDR3 PC3-10666C9 1333MHz Low Voltage Dual-Channel Kit £29.98
Total : £192.89 (includes shipping : £10.00).

Although I'm using the CX500M psu as I was using an old one I had for test purposes that failed and needed a quick local replacement and that was all that was available.

sastusbulbas · 13 May 2013 at 00:27

So I guess using the more basic stuff to start with may be worthwhile.

Asus P5QL-VM EPU MicroATX motherboard.
Intel Intel Core 2 Duo Processor E6300 1.86Ghz 65w CPU or Intel Pentium Processor E6300 2.8Ghz 65w? (I have both).
CORSAIR XMS2 DDR2-800 2x2GB.
Stock Intel fan.
Basic DVD optic drive.
Corsair HX450w Modular PSU.

Now case wise, what is recommended?

I have currently got a near full 1.5TB WD Green HDD, plus a spare 1TB Samsung F3 and unused Hitachi 4TB.

What drives would be recommended in what configuration?

Frozennova · 13 May 2013 at 00:36

Hardware will be fine, I'm using an old Asus barebones case for mine at the moment as I had it laying around doing nothing and it was less money to spend.

Drive config comes down to how much you want to spend on additional drives, and if you want raid etc. Mine will be 8x3tb in RaidZ2 when I can afford the drives, RaidZ2 works the same as RAID6 and will give me 10.9TB usabale space with 2 drives for parity

sastusbulbas · 13 May 2013 at 01:04

1.8Ghz or 2,8Ghz dual core?

I am guessing with 6 sata slots, an optic, and OS drive, then 4 storage drives would be be my limit?
I could stick with the odd drives and sort out more drives later.
Maybe I should consolidate all data to the 4TB drive.

I have an appalling Compaq Presario case with a 300w generic PSU and a single rear 80mm fan. But it collects a lot of dust, and has little storage space for HDD's.

I also have a Gigabyte GZ-X1 mid ATX case, which also has no filters, is a bit noisy, and only has 5 HDD bays.

Would like to have something compact, quiet, and cool, with space for 6 HDD's.

Frozennova · 13 May 2013 at 09:34

You can do away with an optical drive, just have one plugged in to install the OS or use a USB drive. As for the case if you don't plan with filling with drives yet then use the gigabyte for now if you're trying to stick to a small budget and replace it when you need to.

With 6 sat ports you're limited to 6 drives but dedicated a dell sas 6/ir is an inexpensive way to add another 8 ports.

ASE001 · 14 May 2013 at 11:57

sastusbulbas said:
I am curious about home servers, what can be expected of them, and what hardware is required, I seem to see conflicting reports on how much CPU, Ram, etc they require?

Based your statement, you really need to understand the features you wish to get from a home server. This will ultimately decide the specification of the hardware and the OS. The best way to determine your requirements is to build a server on any old hardware you have available. Try NAS4Free (32bit or 64bit) as test OS, it's free and feature rich, requires minimal hardware and there are plenty of 'How to' YouTube tutorials available. NAS4FREE is more than a NAS OS so don't be put off by the name. It has many features that Microsoft server products have and more! Then play, destroy and rebuild learning on the way!

If you just want a simple file server/streamer the Raspberry Pi and USB drive may suffice? In fact support for the Pi is getting to the point where it's easier to list the things it can't do