Windows Home Server

[arges86]

So i was looking at building a Home Server on the cheap.
I have no idea where to start. All my old PCs have PATA ports, and prob. won't be the best for this project.

Does anyone know of anywhere to start for building a decent Home Server (i already have the software)

 

[gkay09]

This would be a very helpful...
http://www.tested.com/news/how-to-build-an-awesome-500-windows-home-server/406/
http://www.wegotserved.com/2010/06/04/build-your-own-windows-home-server-from-scratch/
Both the articles are pretty new and use the recent h/w...
Also just have a look at this article...
http://www.mediasmartserver.net/2010/05/10/the-great-%E2%80%9Cbuy-or-build%E2%80%9D-a-home-server-debate/

 

[arges86]

thanks
i'll take a look @ them

 

[COLGeek]

What sort of old PC are you considering for WHS? Also, are you considering WHS v1 (32-bit) or v2 "Vail" (64-bit only and requires a 64-bit CPU)? It does matter.

There can also be some issues configuring drivers for home-built WHS systems. For WHS v1, if you need a driver that WHS can't find, you can usually use XP or Windows Server 2003 (32-bit version for both) drivers. For "Vail" you can use Server 2008/Win7/Vista drivers.

You can also use FreeNAS to build a home server for exactly $0 that can do most anything that WHS does. Your call.

Good luck!!!

 

[arges86]

well Windows Home Server V2 isn't even out yet.

but i'm open to using Unix-like OSes such as FreeNAS
(i have an old copy of Windows Server 2003, but i may not use it)

 

[COLGeek]

The beta for Vail is widely available, but I would wait as release should be early next year and there are bugs still to work out.

FreeNAS is actually very capable and is highly recommended by many and has a well represented user community. The bottom line is that is quite a good product.

Have fun!!!

 

[lee5i3]

I built a home server to be used as a version control system and build server for my personal programming projects. I also have it as a domain controller and hosts my IIS websites that is linked to my godaddy domain account.

I just needed something small, wasn't planning on doing any HD videos or anything CPU intensive.

Here is what I built..

CPU + Motherboard + VGA Combo:ASUS AT5NM10-I Intel Atom D510 BGA559 Intel NM10 Mini ITX Motherboard/CPU Combo
Memory: Corsair CM2X2048-6400C5 XMS2 2GB PC2-6400 800MHz 240-Pin DDR2 CL5 Desktop Memory Module
Case: MI-008 Tower Black P4 Chassis with 250W Itx Psu+sata Power Supply

Bought it all on Amazon since I had a gift card to use from them... Motherboard has room for 2 memory slots, 1x 2gb worked as single channel, may eventually buy another 2gb

Cost me: $200

Already had a 500GB Hard drive that I used for the OS

It worked with Windows Server 2003, Windows Home Server, had problems with Windows Home Server Vail, crashed once it booted into OS, but CPU is 64bit, installed fine just didn't want to finish setup. I am current running Windows Server 2008 R2 x64

Does not work with Hyper-V or ESX or ESXi

Was pretty good for a $200 server

 

[arges86]

if heard that using an Atom processor doesn't allow the server to stream video very well

 

[COLGeek]

if heard that using an Atom processor doesn't allow the server to stream video very well

That is true. While it provides basic server functions to an acceptable level, streaming video is just too much for the Atom to keep up with. You need more horsepower to be effective.

 

[arges86]

is there any point to use Xeon processors for a home server?

 

[gkay09]

^ Frankly I dont see any advantage of using a Xeon for HS,...
A good dual-core or above should do,...
And FreeNAS is a pretty good product IMO...

 

[COLGeek]

is there any point to use Xeon processors for a home server?

No, that would be overkill. Any strong 2/3/4 core CPU will do the trick. As previously discussed, if you are going to stream video, especially HD content, stay away from Atom.

If you are considering Vail down the road, you will need a 64-bit CPU (WHS is currently a 32-bit OS, Vail is 64-bit). FreeNAS, as I and others have said, is very good as well.

 

[arges86]

thanx i was thinking of getting something like FreeNAS or Ubuntu Server Edition and see how those work out until Vail comes out

 

[arges86]

Best answer selected by arges86.