Re: Build a Server for storing and backing up files help

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/category-detail.php?categoryid=10

http://netgear.com/Products/Storage.aspx

http://www.linksys.com/servlet/Satellite?c=L_Product_C1&childpagename=US%2FLayout&cid=1118334686964&pagename=Linksys%2FCommon%2FVisitorWrapper
(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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