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Re: Which Server for Home usage? Can't use HomeServer.
Strongly recommend Clarkconnect (Community Edition 4.2) http://www.clarkconnect.com.
It is based on Centos. Installation is easy and automated with remote web configuration and automatic remote updates.
Regards
ancall
__________________
Repeat offender: Vista Home Premium & MCE 2005 (RU2)
Last edited by ancall; 3rd February 2008 at 10:04 PM.
Reason: spelling!
Re: Which Server for Home usage? Can't use HomeServer.
Quote:
Originally Posted by ancall
Strongly recommend Clarkconnect (Community Edition 4.2) http://www.clarkconnect.com.
It is based on Centos. Installation is easy and automated with remote web configuration and automatic remote updates.
Regards
ancall
Agreed. Been using it since Ver 1 many years ago.
Easy way to start messing around with a linux based system.
Re: Which Server for Home usage? Can't use HomeServer.
Hiya,
Looking at your requirements (especially the no domain controller and hermit requirement) I'd say forget that above options and go with a ReadyNAS NV+. These tiny boxes are awesome, bullet-proof and reliable and I personally recommend them!
File and Printer sharing
Has three USB ports. You can share physical printer devices off these boxes and it has secure file share services which supports HTTP, NFS, MAC, etc
Backup storage of local files from 5 desktops to server.
The backup software which is build into these boxes allows you to specify backup jobs which can connect to your machines to pull data, or you can setup shares to push data to it!
Streaming media to VMCE
It supports 10/100/1000 and mine have never missed a beat with four machines actively watching movies or listening to music using gigabit switches and CAT5e/6 cables.
Should not require desktops to join domain
This box supports custom security, no security and even Windows Active Directory integration if you end up installing a Domain Controller in the future.
Should be set and forget
They are small and quiet and just work! They have a great HTTP administration interface so you never need to touch the box unless you are upgrading HDDs.
anything else I should consider?
It has a great power on/off function! My boxes power down between 2am and 9am ... that's a saving of 49 hours per week per box in power!
File system space quota! You can allocate individuals or groups specific space quotas ... Stops the kids from copying on too much junk onto your box.
Built in recycle bin, just in case someone deletes something they shouldn't. Even better ... it will delete the 'trash' after a user specified period so you don't have to actively maintain it!
Email notifications ... electronic messages from heaven! Let's you know when file quota's are blown, power outages, backup failures, etc.
Supports RAID! My media ReadyNAS box with movies, music and photos has a RAID configuration to prevent the loss of information.
Supports FTP and HTTP sharing so you can access information while you are at work or overseas.
You can pick up a 2TB unit for $2000 (3TB for $2500) with a warranty. Cheap considering it works, it's small, the O/S is included and it looks after itself!
If you want something that will last, is upgradeable and does it's job very well as a file and printer server then this is for you!
Re: Which Server for Home usage? Can't use HomeServer.
I built my 2Tb WHS for under $1000. You can build it cheaper because it doens't need any grunt and can be built from old parts.
HDD = $450
WHS = $200
MB + CPU + Ram = $240
Case = $75
Its fully customisable and expandable. It's also very easy to setup and simple to run. Includes a pretty good fully automated backup solution and free domain name.
I handn't really considered remote access when I built it, but it's the best feature. I can now fully manage my home network and computers remotely.
Using webguide I can access photos, and stream music and videos from any where. Awesome add-in. People are starting to write some great add-ins that are providing functionality such as web hosting.
Edit: Another unexpected benefit is that I have finally found a home for all my old HDDs.
Re: Which Server for Home usage? Can't use HomeServer.
Way to not answer the question people.
Forget SBS - it needs to be a domain controller & it has plenty of things you don't need.
Windows 2003 R2 (SP2) is fine as a workgroup server, but it's a craptacular print server (unless your printer has specific Windows 2003 print drivers, then it's fine).
Windows 2008 - I haven't tried it yet, but I'd be expecting peripheral issues (particularly printers). It will probably perform faster on network transfers to & from Vista machines as they "talk the same language".
Vista - I dunno. Are you comfortable enough with it to add on the functionality that you need?
My pick would be 2003 because you can basically set it up as a more muscled up XP Pro machine. No need to hack in concurrent sessions or higher numbers of file connections, or anything like that. You can run it pretty lean & don't need massive hardware. I've got one that has been up for 311 days & it's showing no signs of distress. The inbuilt backup doesn't have bells & whistles, but there are heaps of scripts floating around that you can modify to get it to do what you need.
Justin
__________________
VMC32: Asus M3N78-EMH HDMI, 4850e, TMG A2 CPU Cooler, 2x1GB Kingston HyperX 800, 2 x HVR-2200 (4 tuners), 500GB Samsung, NSK2480B. Connected to a Metz 32 inch LCD.
Office/Server: Abit A-N78HD, BE-2350, 2x1GB Kingston HyperX 800, 2 x AverTV Duo (4 tuners), CoolerMaster Centurion 5 Tower.
Re: Which Server for Home usage? Can't use HomeServer.
Quote:
Originally Posted by logifuse
Way to not answer the question people.
Very true ... I guess I just loooove the ReadyNAS storage device!
Back on track, yup Windows Server 2003 R2 (Standard Edition) should do the trick, but I have had issues installing it on older machines.
Are you going to use a new machine or an older machine? Do you have a requirement for RAID? Are you looking at using a 100/1000 megabit network connection?
Re: Which Server for Home usage? Can't use HomeServer.
You can order a 120 day trial of Windows Home Server. It only costs the postage. $20 approx to Australia. I have it and love the WHS. You can order WHS for about $200 as an OEM.
Re: Which Server for Home usage? Can't use HomeServer.
My answer is XP Professional.
I am running real RAID controller with 3TB of storage on it. http://www.promise.com/product/produ...product_id=156
It is powerful machine with Q6600 CPU, 4 GB of RAM and Palit 9600GT Sonic video card.
250GB SATA Samsung HDD for OS and 4x 1TB Samsung HDD's for storage in RAID5.
Connected to Gigabit LAN
I can:
File and Printer sharing
Backup storage of local files from 3 desktops and 2 laptops to server using Acronis.
Streaming media to VMCE
Should not require desktops to join domain
Should be set and forget
I can run any video game on it and stream anything to another 3 PC's
__________________ Linux World Domination... One Joke at a Time :)
Re: Which Server for Home usage? Can't use HomeServer.
Stops the kids from copying on too much junk onto your box.
