I have a desktop that i have had for a few years that i have really
only been using for storage. I would like to have a server to use on
my network and was wondering if there was a way to turn the old desktop
into a server.

Thanks

Tom wrote:

> I have a desktop that i have had for a few years that i have really
> only been using for storage. I would like to have a server to use on
> my network and was wondering if there was a way to turn the old
> desktop into a server.


A server is simply a computer that runs a server operating system. If the
computer in question meets the hardware requirements for the server
operating system of your choice, yes you can do it. Simply buy and install
that operating system.

--
Ken Blake - Microsoft MVP Windows: Shell/User
Please reply to the newsgroup

"Tom" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:(E-Mail Removed)...
>I have a desktop that i have had for a few years that i have really
> only been using for storage. I would like to have a server to use on
> my network and was wondering if there was a way to turn the old desktop
> into a server.
>
> Thanks

2 options would be to install something like Ubutu in server mode [free but
not for those unfamiliar with Linux ]
or purchase MS SBS2003 server software [$650.00 approx here].
If you will only have a small Domain then you don't need a really
powerful server, so maybe you "old machine " will suffice.

rgds
Roberto

"Tom" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:(E-Mail Removed)...
> I have a desktop that i have had for a few years that i have really
> only been using for storage. I would like to have a server to use on
> my network and was wondering if there was a way to turn the old desktop
> into a server.
>
> Thanks
>

A server has the following main features that are not present in
a workstation:
- Active directory.
- Central administration of user accounts & passwords.
- Domain rather than Workgroup model.
- Centralised logon scripts.
- As many concurrent share connections as you have CALs.
- MS Exchange (with Small Business Server).

None of these features affect your ability to store data on
a central workstation. In other words, from your post I see
no reason to replace the workstation with a server. You
won't see any difference in your day to day operation!

Tom wrote:

> I have a desktop that i have had for a few years that i have really
> only been using for storage. I would like to have a server to use on
> my network and was wondering if there was a way to turn the old desktop
> into a server.
>
> Thanks

Yes you can. Install Ubuntu (Server or Desktop) on that box and then easily
install whatever servers you want to run. You can run on that box a web
server (using Apache), a full LAMP server, a mail server, NAS server, FTP
server, print server, whatever. All this you can do at no cost, other than
the cost of a blank CD-R that you'll use to burn the ISO you download from
ubuntu.com.

Cheers.

--
Linux is ready for the desktop! More ready than Windoze XP.
http://tinyurl.com/ldm9d

"Computer users around the globe recognize that the most serious threats to
security exist because of inherent weaknesses in the Microsoft operating
system." McAfee