hi im about to build a server

[memot]

hi im about to build a server for my dad company and i want u guys to help me
i want to know what to get? building a server is as easier as build a pc?

its not a big company and i need something not to expensinve

[BipolarBill]

We need to know a few things:

1. Budget?
2. Internet server or local area network server? A LAN server serves files and/or authenticates users in a domain.
3. If a LAN server, how many users will be connecting to it?

Building a server is the same as building a PC, generally. It's really just a name. What's different is the operating system and setting it up.

[memot]

budget about 1500
no internet on lan , just to tranfer files
i dont know how many computer but not more than 5

[BipolarBill]

Ok - you only need Windows XP Pro for this server. Win2K Pro will work fine as well.

This need not be a super-server. I would recommend RAID 1 (mirroring) with two 120GB WD or Maxtor 8MB cache drives and a backup tape drive - Peter M. likes the Onstream drives:

http://www.axiontech.com/prdt.php?item=12125

Axion has tapes for it too.

Any CPU over 2GHz will be fine. Just be sure that the board has IDE RAID - preferrably SATA. Maxtor and Seagate have SATA drives in the 120GB range. Otherwise, use the standard parallel drives mentioned above.

1GB of DDR ECC RAM should be fine. Crucial is a good source. Two 512MB sticks is ideal for now. You can add a 1GB stick later when the prices drop if you like, but it shouldn't be necessary.

All you need is a standard CDROM drive or DVD - you won't be burning anything on the server. If you need to burn something, you can do it over the network to another PC.

Floppy for sure.

A cheap AGP card will do - maybe a GeForce2 GTS or ATi 7500.

You should install two network cards just in case. If the motherboard has LAN, you're halfway there. You can always add a card later.

Case-wise, I recommend a Lian-Li because it can hold lots of drives. A PC-60 would be fine, but a PC-70 is huge! Slap in a good Antec or Fortron 400W+ PSU and you're in and under budget. :)

[memot]

Gigabyte GA-7DPXDW+, AMD 760 MPX chipset ATX Server Board
2 AMD Athlon MP 2400 2.0GHz Processor CPU - Retail Box
Albatron Geforce FX 5600 Ultra, 8X AGP, 128MB DDR, DVI+VGA+TV Out MODEL FX5600U - RETAIL
Creative Lab Sound Blaster 16 PCI Sound Card
KINGSTON KVR266X64C25/512 512MB DDR PC2100
SONY 1.44MB 3.5 INCH INTERNAL FDD DRIVE - OEM
LITE-ON XJ-HD166S 16X DVD ROM Drive - OEM
Lite On 52x24x52 CDRW Model LTR-52246S OEM
Bow Technology Tool less Server Tower Case Model S-6000
Western Digital 180GB 7200 RPM Hard Drive

all in newegg and im about to get a 18 GB ibm scci drive 15000 rpm with scci card its about 120

all thats its 1400 something

[BipolarBill]

Why do you need a sound card and a super-video card? This is not a gaming rig - this is a server! :p You dad isn't making a toy for you - he needs dependability.

You need RAID 1 for redundancy (in case a hard drive dies) and a backup solution. You don't need two CPUs for a 5-user file server either. Get a motherboard with RAID, sound, LAN and video built-in if you can find one.

You need at least 1GB ECC RAM. The motherboard you choose must support it.

You do not need a burner.

The case needs room for drives more than anything else.

[BipolarBill]

Actually, that GigaByte board looks good. It has sound too. You don't need to add a 2nd CPU right off. You can add it later if you like.

Here's a good video card, cheap.

http://www.newegg.com/app/viewproduct.asp?DEPA=&submit=Go&description=N82E16814102248

[omendata]

Sounds like a windup BPB!!! Sounds very like a gaming machine to me!!!

A 5 user network could use any old server - just save money and get an old pentium 200 pro and jazz it up if you need too!!!

I set one up last year for an indian restaurant and you know how cheap they like things so it was easy - second hand p200 pro minimal setup only file and print sharing and internet - No support calls after the first month ......... **** .......... maybe I should have installed an overheating xp2000+ 1giggywobble ram , hp nasty tape drive , raid etc - Overkill overkill!!!

:D
:-@
:t

£200 quid tops then he can spend the extra £1300 on a nice holiday!!!

[BipolarBill]

Well, I'm assuming a graduation to domain/web server status at a later date.

[omendata]

oooooooh - never assume anything - always a recipe for disaster in IT!!!

IE. "I assume its a legit copy of XP - Ill just install XP SP1 then....bang ...oops....sorry!!!"

[memot]

well my dad is crazy and he think a server is a computer with stuff and im sure they are working on a autocad and stuff
that why im getting that card , i mean i will find something cheaper though

[BipolarBill]

If he's doing CAD, it's now a workstation. In that case, get a Quadro. Gaming cards make for lousy workstation video.

You have to sit down with your dad and ask him what he really needs.

[omendata]

Hmmm - its called research / systems analysis.

Sounds like you would be better getting a professional in if you want to avoid problems later on which could be costly in the long run.

Buy cheap or bodge it and you'll pay twice mark my words young sir!!!

Maybe Bill is in your area - Whats your hourly rate BPB?

[BipolarBill]

Florida? For a file server/workstation? Nah - I'll do that for free remotely. ;)

[omendata]

Texas - They dont call you troubleshooters for nuthin out there he!!!

One argument about the bill/with the bipolar Bill and its hey whoaaaa silver and out with the six-shooters eh!!!
bang bang your servers dead!!!

:D