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Need an OS for new home server

Tags:
  • Homebuilt
  • Windows
  • Servers
  • Media Server
  • Minecraft
  • Operating Systems
Last response: in Business Computing
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July 22, 2014 10:59:19 AM

Hello,

Im not sure if Im writing in the write place here but I need an operating system and relevant applications (up to the value of £150/$200) for my new home server which I am building.

The server's specification is as follows:

    Asus P9D-M Server Board (Socket 1150, AMD A88X, DDR3, S-ATA 600, U ATX, USB 3.0)
    Intel BX80646E31230V3 Quad-Core Processor (3.3GHz, Base 1150, 8MB Cache) by Intel
    WD 3 TB for NAS 3.5-inch Desktop Hard Drive (Frustration Free Packaging) - Red by Western
    Kingston Technology ValueRam DDR3 1333 MHz ECC DIMM - 16 GB Memory Kit (2 x 8 GB) w/ Thermal Sensor by Kingston
    Dual 550watt 2U Power supplies.


I require this server to do the following:

1. Use as a Back up Server for my mac and PC
2. Potentially use as a Website host and Email server
3. Run a small Minecraft server for my Cousin (8-10 players MAX)
4. Be easy to use, I know alot on components and code.. but nothing on server stuff
5. File storage and access across PC and mac
6. One of the most important, Media Server

If anyone could give me a through description (including links) of what programmes I need and the OS that I should use (I would prefer Windows).

!!!!!BEST ANSWER WINS A PACK OF 2 CORSAIR SP120 LOW NOISE EDITION HIGH STATIC PRESSURE FANS!!!!!


Thank you,

Oli Martin

More about : home server

July 22, 2014 11:27:00 AM

Freenas or UnRAID would be my first two stops. Keep the fans, though. :) 
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July 22, 2014 11:34:22 AM

Karsten75 said:
Freenas or UnRAID would be my first two stops. Keep the fans, though. :) 


Hi, thank you for your very quick response! (Im quite new to forums like this) okay, Ive looked at FreeNAS, is it standalone or does it run through Windows, can I do all of my 6 items through it?
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July 22, 2014 8:10:50 PM

It looks like you have quite a list of things that you want to accomplish here, but I think there are many things which should be separated out (or compartmentalized) as there could be complications with running everything within one host OS.

Have you considered virtualization? This would use the physical server to run several independent virtual machines which could each do a few certain roles. There are huge benefits to virtualizing your workload. The other option would be going with separate hardware systems for certain roles instead of just one big server. This allows you to customize your hardware needs to fit the underlying role of that system. There are many different platforms from which you can virtualize to give you a more broad range of capabilities. For example, you could load up the free ESXi 5.1 or 5.5 on that server and start creating virtual machines with whatever variant of Linux you want on your virtual machine OS (such as FreeNAS for a file server?) and that keeps the cost low. You can also virtualize Windows desktops onto that and have a virtual machine with Windows 7/8, or whatever if you need a Windows platform for compatibility with certain software. But if you aren't afraid to work with Linux, everything you listed above could be done using a few different Linux virtual machines without the need for buying additional licensing for the server at all.
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