whats the point of a file server

a) safer (can use it to backup and safer physically)
b)can be accessed by more than one computer without having to remember to leave the main computer on
c) lots of HDD's in your main rig will make it run hotter

fini
 
Well, say you're playing a game and somebody on your home network decides they want to stream a 4gig DVD image off your pc, you'd kinda lose quite a few frames :D

Just one example of why you'd want a file server :)
 
In addition to the above:

Central backup, can put it out of the way (helps with noise problems).

Mainly, though, you wouldn't just use it as a file server. It can do dns, dhcp, printers, email, downloads etc etc.
 
what are these dns, dhcp? :confused:
also i have a home network with 2 comps connected (inc. mine) so how would i put a file server into that network? (just buy a ethernet cable?)

i have an old pentium 2 (or 3) so if i brought a bigger hdd would i be able to use that as a file server?? :D
 
i presume that you have to have windows installed on your file server, if so could it be 98 (both the comps on my current network have win xp on, one pro the other home, but they will be both home soon) :D



edit: also how power hungry would it be because it would probably be on all day but i dont want it to use up lots of power :D
 
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It wouldn't be using much CPU power and you wouldn't need a powerful graphics card either so it should use very little power compared to a main computer. There is also no need for a monitor to be connected so no power lost there.

SiriusB
 
comp builder said:
what are these dns, dhcp? :confused:
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DNS (Domain Name System), DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol)

comp builder said:
i have a home network with 2 comps connected (inc. mine) so how would i put a file server into that network? (just buy a ethernet cable?)
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How are the two computers connected to the network at the moment. I assume you have an internet connection; are the computers connected to a router with a built-in switch? If so, yes, all you need to do is buy an ethernet cable (provided the system has an ethernet port that is!) and connect it to the same router/switch as the other computers.

comp builder said:
i have an old pentium 2 (or 3) so if i brought a bigger hdd would i be able to use that as a file server?? :D
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A PII/III should suffice for a simple file server. Shifting files over a network is not a particularly CPU-intensive operation, and the real bottlenecks are the network connection (You're going to want a 1Gbps network if you're going to be streaming HD content, or feeding video to multiple computers at the same time) and the storage (Speed, buffer size and connection interface of the HDD)

comp builder said:
i presume that you have to have windows installed on your file server, if so could it be 98 (both the comps on my current network have win xp on, one pro the other home, but they will be both home soon)
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It doesn't need to be Windows at all, and in my opinion you'd be better off installing an easy-to-use linux distribution (Ubuntu, Fedora, openSUSE etc.) than messing about with Windows 98. If you go the linux route you will likely have to set up Samba on the machine for interfacing with Windows computers. All of that software won't cost you a penny, either!

comp builder said:
also how power hungry would it be because it would probably be on all day but i dont want it to use up lots of power
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It won't be any more or less powerful than the equivalent system running like a normal computer. If you're going to be running a PII/PIII, chances are it won't consume an awful lot of power!

Edit: Wow, I should type faster! Beaten on numerous fronts :(
 
ok thanks guys i am putting a server ogether now and going to find linux o/s when done :D (just need buy a hdd first as i only have a 2.1GB at the moment) i think the easiest way to install linux would be to put the hdd in my main comp and install it there and then put it in my server wouldnt it? :D
 
comp builder said:
i think the easiest way to install linux would be to put the hdd in my main comp and install it there and then put it in my server wouldnt it? :D
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Not at all, that's just complicating matters further.

Personally, since you don't appear to have any prior knowledge of linux, I would recommend you start off with a simple distribution such as ubuntu. You'll get heckled by hardcore linux users, but it's simple, free and easy to set up. Just download the 700MB installation ISO (for free), burn it to a CD and slap it in the PII/III system. It will boot up as a LiveCD (not touching the hard drive), but once you get to the desktop you will have the option to Install it to the hard drive. It takes care of all the hard drive partitioning itself, and the installation is a breeze.

You will then have to pick up Samba somehow (for free) :)
 
no i have nver seen or used linux so this is new to me i will prob download the ubuntu. Anyway i have a problem, the system i am using as a file server (and more as time goes on) does not have a ethernet prot and i dont think the modern ones would fit would they? :D
thanks for the help, sorry about all the questions :D
 
Just buy an ethernet card and stick it in the computer. It will be a PCI card so there will be no incompatability.

SiriusB
 
little VIA C3 system with a raid card in the PCI slot, running a light linux distro, nice little file server.
iirc some of the new VIA systems have gig network built in too.
 
Although if you do not know what one is I question if you really need one at all.

Usually if you need a fileserver, you already know you do and you NEED it.

Just a thought.
 
i knew what one was just not the perpose.
anyway which of these is a pci-slot?? (if any)

0d7074fe.jpg
 
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