Windows Home Server?

gxavier38

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Feb 22, 2012
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I will build my first Home Server. I want to use the Define R3 case because I have one spare. I'll need around 4TB of storage and maybe RAID 6. If possible, I'd also like if it were quiet.

What specs can you recommend me and some tips maybe? This is after all my first.
 

sir_shanahan

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RAID6 is probably not what you'll end up using, it requires specialist hardware that isn't cheap. Opt for RAID0+1 or 1+0 as a beginner, possibly even 5. To achieve 4TB of storage you'll need a minimum of 4 x 2TB hard disks (actual formatted size will be below 4TB). In order to run the array you'll need a RIAD capable motherboard (ie intel rapid storage technology) or a dedicated RAID card. Of course for more speed you'd want more disks but for silence you want minimal heat. Then you'll need somewhere to run your OS.

Once all of that is taken care of you need to buy a processor and Mobo. Your choice of these should depend on how you define "home server". What you intend to use the machine for will greatly impact hardware requirements in terms of processing power and ram....
 

gxavier38

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Thanks for the tip. It will be for file backups, not a lot of huge files, but a lot of documents. It's for office and home use. I will connect the other PCs to the server with LAN through a LAN Card. How much RAM and processing power will I need?
Also, what if I didn't use RAID?
 

gxavier38

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Alright, so while checking out some stuff on Newegg, I started to wonder about a few things.
1. How do I connect the server to other computers with Ethernet? Is there another step after hooking them both up with a LAN cable?
2. Do I need server motherboards and Xeons for a home server, or just regular PC stuff?
3. Regarding UPSs, what are the ethernet and phone ports for? How do I use them?
 

urbanrider

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This will depend on what router you already have and how many computers you want to connect the server to. If you have a Gigabit router that has enough Ethernet plugs in it for all the computers on your network then you can just plug in and go. If your router's not a Gigabit router or doesn't have enough plugs, you will need to buy a Gigabit switch. I have this one http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833156251. Then plug your computers into the switch, then the switch into the router.



No you can use regular PC components especially for a homeserver. Also what is your budget?



I always just ignored them haha but as far as I understand they should be used for data line surge protection (inlet and then outlet)
 

urbanrider

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If the homeserver is only backing up files that are already stored on other computers then its not necessary, though the more redundancy you have the better. If you are storing files on there, you should have some kind of backup solution in place (whether its RAID or just a program that backs up the files to another drive).

If you only want 2TB of storage you can probably get away with using MOBO RAID. Id suggest reading up on the different types of RAID and see what you really want.
For a simple set up you can just have 2x2TB 7200rpm drives in RAID 1 (thats one usable drive and one backup), if you buy a new MOBO you should be able to have SSD cache drive that will speed up the access of common files and OS. Also look into RAID 1+0 and 0+1 for redundancy and speed.

The one negative about RAID is (as far as I remember) you cant add any more drives into the array, unless your using JBOD which isn't really RAID.