[Solved] Web Server

Hi All,

I'm looking to build an IIS web server which will have users uploading & downloading files via an asp.net website. I will be having anywhere from 10-50 people uploading & downloading at a time. I'm unsure of what the specs for such a server should be. The key thing is storage and reliability(raid config) and being able to upgrade the storage without having to take down the server.

Any advice on what specs or equipment would be greatly appreciated!

1. Budget?

2. VM or just plain out OS install? Meaning will IIS run on a VM?

3. What's your ISP like? Most ISPs will cut out traffic to your server if you have this many people connected all the time.

^ I'm guessing there is a reason OP wanted Win Server..... else, yeah Linux is MUCH cheaper and imo, better over all esp. when it comes to configuration (you can do massive amounts of customization on Linux).

ok, fair enough.

I'd say you could go for a relatively inexpensive AMD 6-core or I7 quad core system as your server probly a dedicated gigabit ethernet card, rather than relying on the onbaord card.

Without going too deep into your server setup: is this a casual (flash) gaming site? a site where work is getting done via virtual machines? or are you just handling purchase orders? or is it a site with forums/news and lots of text and advertising?

if its the first two, a dual-processor solution (Magny-Cours or Xeon for 8 or 12 total cores) might be in order, if the latter, a single multi-core cpu might be in order.

hmm. Ok. Do you need a copy of Windows 2008 Server for this? The cheapest I see is the web version for $389, a big chunk of your $1000 budget

Good build ss, but I would HIGHLY recommend ECC RAM and a true workstation board. I also wouldn't use that Daynapower,etc. I'd get a XFX 650 or a Corsair 550 (both SeaSonic built). The real issue here would be the HDDs, I HIGHLY recommend you get a quality RAID card and do RAID 10 or RAID5.

Shadow,

You say to get a true workstation board, do you have any recommendations? I'll be doing Raid 10, however, for a true RAID card, it would eat up most of the budget.

^ Yup. Some thing like that. Usually, when I build a server, I get a 2P server board, but since OP is on a budget, a single socket will have to do. However, I would spend the extra $32 and grab this Quad Core CPU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6819117186

Note: None of the Xeon CPUs comes with a heatsink, you will need to get one yourself.

You have no argument from me there. Quality RAID cards are damn expensive.

I do not know the quality of Daynapower units are, but you may want to look deeper in to this. One of the most common problems/hardware damage on PCs are caused by cr@ppy PSUs.