whats the point of a file server

[comp builder]

whts the point of a file server, if it is to store files (obviousily) then whats wrong with the hdd in your comp???

 

[comp builder]

what are these dns, dhcp?
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??

 

[comp builder]

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)



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

 

[comp builder]

ok thanks guys i am putting a server ogether now and going to find linux o/s when done (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?

 

[comp builder]

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?
thanks for the help, sorry about all the questions

 

[comp builder]

i have a router with a built in switch
(linksys wireless-g ADSL gateway) (but i only use it wired because i hate wireless

 

[comp builder]

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

 

[comp builder]

could i use the file server to put all my dvds on the hdd of the file server and watch them on my main computer without having to download it onto my main comp
also what other uses could it do apart from file server and the other 2 mentioned

 

[comp builder]

i have a pentium 2/3 and an old intel board (dont know what its called) does anyone know what the biggest hdd it could handle is.

i was thinking of a seagate ide 160GB

Seagate Barracuda 7200.9 160GB ST3160812A ATA-100 8MB Cache - OEM (HD-047-SE)
Price: £37.95 (£44.59 Including VAT at 17.5%)


or maybe the samsung one (its cheaper lol )


Samsung SpinPoint P SP1654N 160GB ATA-133 8MB Cache - OEM (HD-030-SA)
Price: £34.50 (£40.54 Including VAT at 17.5%)

 

[comp builder]

also would this pci-card be any good?

D-Link DFE-530TX PCI Network Card (NW-024-DL)
Price: £4.95 (£5.82 Including VAT at 17.5%)

 

[comp builder]

yeh probably. But just to make sure do you guys think its better to make this file server rather than storing dvds etc on my hdd in my comp?

 

[comp builder]

It will be worth it for the experience gained in learning Linux should you ever decide to enter IT as a career. And you'll gain some experience in building PC's. (I peeked at your profile)

yeh i do wanna do it as a carrer lol
so the experience on its own is probably worth it
(btw i have built this comp im using now )

 

[comp builder]

I am quite honestly suprised.

SiriusB

is da sarcastic or not?? cant tell

 

[comp builder]

tbh, this sounds like a waste of electricity if you have such a small network and can accomplish this simply with an extra hdd.

It may be better to just run a vpc (virtual pc) if you want to learn linux, you can still tinker with the networking aspects (it seems like this is what you're keen to learn about) and better yet, it's easy to backup and you can try out different distros and configurations without too much hassle

yeh i was begging to think it is quite pointless but still not sure

 

[comp builder]

Wasn't sarcasm. For someone who doesn't or didn't know what a PCI slot is to be able to build a PC suprises me. And this thread isn't the first time I have noticed you have big gaps in your knowledge.

This isn't a dig at you or anything and I know you are still learning. Just odd is all. Kind of like someone building a car then asking "what does this steering wheel do?"

SiriusB

i dont (or didnt) know what a pci slot looked like but i knew what one was what do you mean by gaps in my knowledge like what? (not being funny just asking ) and to me building my own comp at 14 aint bad(and yeh the comp works )

 

[comp builder]

I couldn't give you examples without going through all your posts, but your name sticks in my mind as someone who asks a lot of questions a comp builder should already know the answers to

SiriusB

i know everyone has a dig at me for that i chose comp builder as a name because i joined the forum just after making my comp and i was dead happy that id made one

but your name sticks in my mind as someone who asks a lot of questions

i know i do but as you said im still learning

 

[comp builder]

Ask away, only way you'll learn

Going back on topic, I would recommend you go down the extra hard drive route for now, as it doesn't seem like you really need this file server

i was making the server mainly for experience but i will leave it for now and read up about what they can do extra

 

[comp builder]

i would still build one if you have the equipment. it's free experience

i have most of the equipment but i need a ethernet cable, a ethernet pci-card and a hdd so the price comes to around £50 odd

 

[comp builder]

could i put in like a login thing on my file server so i can log into any computer in the house without it being on <<<(the other computer i mean)