Basic server system
Discussion
Hi, can anyone give us a rough idea of price for setting up a small server system. It would only need to run two computers, auto update etc, fairly basic stuff, just so we can both access the same files etc.
How much would we be looking at for the server and/or someone to set it up? I have a basic knowledge of computers but think it may be a bit out of my technical range to do myself unless its fairly straightforward.
Thanks
How much would we be looking at for the server and/or someone to set it up? I have a basic knowledge of computers but think it may be a bit out of my technical range to do myself unless its fairly straightforward.
Thanks
Get a NAS box with mirrored hard drives such as those from Iomega or an old PC with two disks and the free FreeNas server - very basic to set up via a web interface and will work with windows/macs/linux. Might not be appropriate if you plan to expand.
A dedicated Iomega NAS box could cost a few hundred with a couple of hours of seup time. Freenas just needs an old PC and a couple of hours setup.
Talk regular backups to a different hard drive.
A dedicated Iomega NAS box could cost a few hundred with a couple of hours of seup time. Freenas just needs an old PC and a couple of hours setup.
Talk regular backups to a different hard drive.
www.serversplus.com
www.serversdirect.co.uk
HP ML115
http://www.serversplus.com/servers/tower_servers/h...
Would look at SATA Raid, 2-4GB Ram and bigger disks (depending on requirements File & Print Sharing if so you could problem get a self contained NAS box - Windows Update Service? for two PC's you as well configuring individually)
Then of course there are servers on Dell and Acer Outlet sites
www.serversdirect.co.uk
HP ML115
http://www.serversplus.com/servers/tower_servers/h...
Would look at SATA Raid, 2-4GB Ram and bigger disks (depending on requirements File & Print Sharing if so you could problem get a self contained NAS box - Windows Update Service? for two PC's you as well configuring individually)
Then of course there are servers on Dell and Acer Outlet sites
Do you really need a server?
Are the computers already connected via a router or similar and share the internet connection?
If so, you can probably elect for one of these to be the server.. That's all we do, one is the "server" and the other accesses it. This would cost you nothing. Of course both our PCs are wired into the server.
If you are concerned about slowdown, etc on the server.. Then possibly consider a NAS drive hooked into the back of the router, guessing you've got a router in place, use it. We did have a NAS but it seemed a bit iffy (Linkstation was the model). I've since looked at these again, but proper ones cost quite serious money. Something like a QNAP or similar with a couple of "as fast as possible" HDDs in it. A 209 or a 410 or similar..
Either solution would do the trick for a lot less money than a server and a lot less hassle.
Are the computers already connected via a router or similar and share the internet connection?
If so, you can probably elect for one of these to be the server.. That's all we do, one is the "server" and the other accesses it. This would cost you nothing. Of course both our PCs are wired into the server.
If you are concerned about slowdown, etc on the server.. Then possibly consider a NAS drive hooked into the back of the router, guessing you've got a router in place, use it. We did have a NAS but it seemed a bit iffy (Linkstation was the model). I've since looked at these again, but proper ones cost quite serious money. Something like a QNAP or similar with a couple of "as fast as possible" HDDs in it. A 209 or a 410 or similar..
Either solution would do the trick for a lot less money than a server and a lot less hassle.
I wouldn't call a grand expensive if you're having to get someone else in to do it.
Get yourself a decent little server, something like a HP ML110 with a bit more memory and discs would be perfect - http://uk.insight.com/apps/productpresentation/ind...
You'll also probably want to run windows server if you're managing it and are used to windows systems, although im sure you could get away with a desktop OS if there are only 2 of you and you were only after file sharing.
Get yourself a decent little server, something like a HP ML110 with a bit more memory and discs would be perfect - http://uk.insight.com/apps/productpresentation/ind...
You'll also probably want to run windows server if you're managing it and are used to windows systems, although im sure you could get away with a desktop OS if there are only 2 of you and you were only after file sharing.
We have tried an online thing but as our broadband connection is not that reliable it can become an issue so its needs to be a 'in a box' option.
Its all sounds a bit above my capabilities so we may need to call someone in to do it, although that would mean we had technical back up if anything went wrong, I suppose..
Thanks for the replies so far.
Its all sounds a bit above my capabilities so we may need to call someone in to do it, although that would mean we had technical back up if anything went wrong, I suppose..
Thanks for the replies so far.
I would be going the router with a storage box route if I were you. If I were closer I would come and do it for you myself for a few pints but don't fancy (and don't have the time for) the long drive!
They are pretty easy to set-up, you could even go the way of a small switch then connecting the computers to this and the modem to this also along with the storage.
For your requirments however, a server is very overkill to be honest mate (and depending on you growth a network storage solution could be too) although from a business owner side of things I would love to have someone willing to spend a grand on a small server...its just not needed.
Use one of the pcs as a server and then have it's hard drive (or a seperate one, or partition of) as a network drive which the other can access.
They are pretty easy to set-up, you could even go the way of a small switch then connecting the computers to this and the modem to this also along with the storage.
For your requirments however, a server is very overkill to be honest mate (and depending on you growth a network storage solution could be too) although from a business owner side of things I would love to have someone willing to spend a grand on a small server...its just not needed.
Use one of the pcs as a server and then have it's hard drive (or a seperate one, or partition of) as a network drive which the other can access.
mrsxllifts said:
We have tried an online thing but as our broadband connection is not that reliable it can become an issue so its needs to be a 'in a box' option.
Its all sounds a bit above my capabilities so we may need to call someone in to do it, although that would mean we had technical back up if anything went wrong, I suppose..
Thanks for the replies so far.
If it is to share files the simplist's solution would be to set a shared folder on one PC, I can talk you through it if you want.Its all sounds a bit above my capabilities so we may need to call someone in to do it, although that would mean we had technical back up if anything went wrong, I suppose..
Thanks for the replies so far.
There is one more thing it's best to backup the data on external drive or some other external device once a day just incase as data recovery is very costly.
Give me shout if you want help, I am happy to help for free.
Edited by Yodafone on Wednesday 10th February 02:01
sonic_2k_uk said:
I wouldn't call a grand expensive if you're having to get someone else in to do it.
Get yourself a decent little server, something like a HP ML110 with a bit more memory and discs would be perfect - http://uk.insight.com/apps/productpresentation/ind...
£500 for hardwareGet yourself a decent little server, something like a HP ML110 with a bit more memory and discs would be perfect - http://uk.insight.com/apps/productpresentation/ind...
£300 for 4x £60p/h plus reasonable travel for setup
£1000 is expensive.
agent006 said:
sonic_2k_uk said:
I wouldn't call a grand expensive if you're having to get someone else in to do it.
Get yourself a decent little server, something like a HP ML110 with a bit more memory and discs would be perfect - http://uk.insight.com/apps/productpresentation/ind...
£500 for hardwareGet yourself a decent little server, something like a HP ML110 with a bit more memory and discs would be perfect - http://uk.insight.com/apps/productpresentation/ind...
£300 for 4x £60p/h plus reasonable travel for setup
£1000 is expensive.
A grand is not expensive, it is however excessive if you just want to share some files.
Thanks everyone for your replies.
From what I read and understand as we only need to share some files between us rather than run programs, its would be easier and considerably cheaper to link the two pc's together and have a shared file. Think we will leave the server til we get a bit bigger and it becomes more of a nessecity (sp). Have also found external drives which do auto back ups daily so think I will just get one of these for each unit and that should solve our problems for a while.
Thanks again for all your help, watch out for the 'help' topic coming soon!
From what I read and understand as we only need to share some files between us rather than run programs, its would be easier and considerably cheaper to link the two pc's together and have a shared file. Think we will leave the server til we get a bit bigger and it becomes more of a nessecity (sp). Have also found external drives which do auto back ups daily so think I will just get one of these for each unit and that should solve our problems for a while.
Thanks again for all your help, watch out for the 'help' topic coming soon!
pdV6 said:
Might be better off getting a cheap NAS box,
/\/\/\/\/\totally agree
for 1-5 users any dedicated server is a complete overkill and waste of money/time
some have said to create a shared directory on a pc
i would NOT do this
what happens if you're using a file, and you're colleague has a BSOD and has to re-boot ?
(or vice-versa)
any work you're doing is borked !
i know people will say that OSes are more stable these days, but they're not 100% idiot proof !
I set up an old PC with Ubuntu Server and Samba to act as a Windows Primary Domain Controller. Took a few evenings to research it and get it all working, but it's been working fine for years since. If you have an old PC hanging around then the cost is no more than the cost of your time.
Mine currently has 4 x 500Mb hard drives in it in RAID5 giving 1.5Tb of storage with the knowledge that the failure of any one of those drives will not result in data loss.
My Windows machines log into it and as far as they're concerned they're talking to a Windows Domain server.
Mine currently has 4 x 500Mb hard drives in it in RAID5 giving 1.5Tb of storage with the knowledge that the failure of any one of those drives will not result in data loss.
My Windows machines log into it and as far as they're concerned they're talking to a Windows Domain server.
Edited by JonRB on Thursday 11th February 13:06
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