Smackre

Im looken to build my first server. Its for my Business. Right now im runing a peer-to-peer network. And id like to switch over to a more client/server based system. Also id like to have a comp i can sit at and work on network stuff instread of telling the ppl runing there comps during the day to move. Here is the things i want to get out of it. and you tell me what i need.
1)this is the main thing. I want to HD's and i want the first HD mirror to the second one you could say. So like the second one is a backup drive.
2)Want to be able to share files over the net. Ive herd you could do this by having a FTP but i dont know. Let me know )
3)backup method. sumtin like tape drive that can back up the whole HD.

arch13

1. So use a board with RAID (mine for example ) and set the raid to mirror the drives. Thats a common function in raid and a universally used solution in data centers.

2. Set up a linux distro with all the needed deamons or *shudder* use windows 2000 and enable file/print sharing and use the built in ftp server for access by those outside your subnet.
Be a perfectionist in setting this up since it opens you to the outside world.

3.Tape, DVD-R, or removable hard drive will all do the job nicely.

Feel free to ask questions as needed

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flamingpeach

the only other thing i can add is is that the RAID setup you're going to want to use is RAID 1 (which uses mirroring).

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Smackre

how exactly do you set up raid 1? Im prolly going to be ordering that MB you showed me and i ant to know how to set up that raid 1.

sailor

Uh, read the manual that comes with it... It will be in there. You can also order an addon PCI RAID card if you want to get another motherboard that doesnt have onboard RAID. Dont skimp on parts though--for a server of any sort, stability is key, and skimping on parts (especially motherboard and PSU) can lead to a finicky machine.

Many manufacturers (most, in fact) make boards with onboard RAID. Do some research, find one that is *stable*, and then worry about the RAID.

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arch13

And what is sailor420 saying about my board?

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Smackre

hehe thanks for the advise guys. Dont know what id do with out you guys )

Smackre

one last question. The HD that are mirror do they half to be the same type HD? cuz i have 2 HD's. And are both the same size just 2 diffrent companies.

sailor

Yes. Those might work, but I wouldnt trust them. Reliability will be much better with two identical drives.

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Smackre

2. Set up a linux distro with all the needed deamons or *shudder* use windows 2000 and enable file/print sharing and use the built in ftp server for access by those outside your subnet.
Be a perfectionist in setting this up since it opens you to the outside world.

what is a linux distro and how do i set it up hehe?

arch13

Oh boy. If your not familiar with linux, it's history, and it's use (it runs most of the servers in the world), Then i'm not sure linux is for you.
Mandrake is a well know linux OS that you can see HERE , but it may be best to stick to windows for what you want. Using linux is going to open a can of worms that you may not want to open.
Linux is a secure operating system that's free and is improved upon by the community at large modifying it and fixing it at a code level as needed. view it as a community effort that has created an operating system more powerful and flexable than windows. It's also more complex to learn though. The majority of all ftp and web servers in the world run on it.
Your scale and needs may not match the performance and power linux offers because the time needed to learn will not be large but not be small either.
It's getting more user freindly and has a desktop interface like apple or windows, but the code under is a whole different matter.

Side note: mac osx is a variant of linux/unix but more slick, simplified, and user freindly.

Obviosly i'm oversimplifying here, but i'd recomend sticking with windows, and perhaps investagating linux if it interest you later.

__________________
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"The wheel is turning but the hamsters dead"
____________________________
Is arch13 really a porn diety ? find out after the film at 11.
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sailor

OK, nevermind, dont use Linux on this box then. If you havent used Linux before, a server running a RAID array is *not* the place to learn it. That said, install it on an old box and learn to use it. If you get into networking or computer science at all, you *will* have to learn to use linux/unix/bsd. And, you may come to like it. I hardly use Windows at all anymore.

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Smackre

is there any way to set up a ftp under windows?

steveincolumbus

windows 2000 /2003 have ftp servers built into the IIS package but depending on your needs i may not recommend it. I run a 3rd party one due to easir administrtion, due to me not wanting to use active directory to manage users......
so depends on what you ware wanting to do with it......

My last server was a file server for my small office, was an old desktop of mine....
1100 Mhz athalon
abit KT7 Raid
2 maxtor 7200 rpm 30gig drives (raid 1)
rage 128 video
hp cdr
creative awe64 sound
windows 2003 standard server

nothing special but it works good as a low end server..... DNS, Files, and DHCP got a couple 2.4 gig boxes running the sql server and other back end operations