JReeder wrote:
> I want to be able to create a server from an old pc that will allow
> me to backup files and backup entire hard drives from other pc's on
> my network , ideally I want at least 1TB of space. the problems I
> am having is that I have no idea where to begin, I have built pc's
> before but never servers, could somebody give me a full guide on
> what to do from the hardware to the operating system and how to
> connect it to my network.
Shenan wrote:
> Just like your PC - more space, perhaps (but not necessarily -
> depending on your needs) a different OS (a server OS vs. a
> workstation OS.)
>
> That's it. If you plan on having 5 or less users - even Windows XP
> Home would do as an OS as long as the hardware can handle the
> larger hard disk drives.
>
> Or - make it easy on yourself and get a network attached storage -
> like the Netgear/Linksys/Ximeta/Buffalo Tech devices that are
> basically just a lot of space attached to your network.
JReeder wrote:
> finally what's the best way to connect the server , wired or
> wireless?
Malke wrote:
> To answer your question, you would connect the server machine to the
> network via Ethernet and give it a static IP. If all it is doing is
> file serving and storage, you don't need a MS server OS - you could
> install Linux. However, you're going to an awful lot of trouble for
> just a file server/back up storage. Why not look into an NAS
> instead? Prices have come down amazingly.
As I inferred before in this thread....
You left out a lot of vital information.
- What is this network/workgroup/domain setup for?
- Why/What are you using this server for?
- How many computers(workstations) are we talking here?
- Do you want features like roaming profiles/centralized user
management/etc - or just a simple file/print server?
- What types of files are we talking about here?
The fact is - again - that if all you want is a simple file/print server for
5 or less machines - Windows XP Home could do this for you.
If you have 10 or less machines - XP Professional could do the simple
file/print server thing for you too.
Linux would not have the user limitation and could easily do the file server
thing.
Any NAS box (like I mentioned before) would be a great file server - and
many are print servers as well.
Examples:
http://www.buffalotech.com/products/...?categoryid=10
http://netgear.com/Products/Storage.aspx
http://www.linksys.com/servlet/Satel...VisitorWrapper
(Bottom)
http://www.ximeta.com/web/products/index.php
As for wired/wireless?
Depends on what type of wireless and the answer to all the questions
above...
The larger the files and more heavily used the network - the more I would
push you towards wired networking.
But you probably should still have a wireless component in there for
convenience - just not necessarily for heavier usage.
Help us help you - read through and answer the above questions in this
thread. If you truly don't want to waste your time and effort and possibly
money - this is your chance to ask people who have probably setup/used
things like this before you dive in.
--
Shenan Stanley
MS-MVP
--
How To Ask Questions The Smart Way
http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html
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