How do I build a server computer?

Question

I basically need a file server but also want to keep software licenses centralized. Should I buy this: http://www.amazon.com/Rosewill-RSV-S8-Enclosure-Multiplier-included/dp/tech-data/B00552PLIE
(an 8-bay raid enclosure)

Because the main thing is keeping files safe so I was going to do a RAID 5 and then plug that RAID system into another computer I build with Windows Server on it. Is this the right thing to do and is it possible to plug in that RAID enclosure (linked) to any average computer?

Answer 1

If you want to keep files safe, all you have to do is back up your data regularly.



All that's needed is another hard drive, preferably an external one that can be kept in a fireproof safe.

Answer 2

What are you using the server to do? I know you said as a file and license server, but for what? A personal network, a small business, a medium business, a school, a church, etc?



If if it for home, RAID 5 is overkill. Regular PC with an external hard drive to do backups and Windows Servers. (I have run them with just Windows XP and they work fine). For a small business, a Raid 1 where you have mirrored drives will probably do.



Unless you are going with a medium business or larger, a RAID 5 is overkill. The only reason to use one with anything smaller would be ti get experience with them.



Depending on the RAID enclosure that you purchase, it may or may not be designed to work with an average computer.

Answer 3

You don't need Windows Server. I currently use a 5-disk RAID unit for my computer business, the unit is a Thecus 5200N - it plugs direct into the network. It has the capability to do backups to USB/ESATA drives plugged into it externally. Currently it internally runs 5x 1TB SATA drives in RAID6, giving about 3TB storage - can fail two hard drives and not loose any data, can hot swap a drive and it will rebuild automatically. I have three computers that connect to it directly across the network. Check out the Thecus site at http://www.thecus.com



Most mini, mid, and full tower cases will take 4 or more 3.5" hard drives. Most reasonable motherboards have at least a RAID0,1 controller. Just do a simple mirror (RAID1) to ensure your data is in two places - but make sure you use an Uninteruptible Power Supply on the PC you do this in. The operating system can be Win XP, or anything else. The PC does not have to be high spec. All you have to do is set up a network workgroup and share the mirrored drives across the network.

Answer 4

From what I see, that enclosure hold hard drives - period

It has a SATA multiplier and some very interesting caveats



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Support PC, MAC and Linux. (Please note that the host adapter card is based on Silicon Image chipset, which currently only support up to MAC OS 10.5.1 by Silicon Image.)



Warning: RSV-S8 Must work With Silicon Image Multilane compatible host (like RC-213/ RC-214/RC-219, which included in box). If you connect RSV-S8 to a host without Port Multiplier function, the system might only catch one HDD instead of all.

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I would give this this a pass





Instead - grab an old box,

Load as much RAM on it as you can

Add a second hard drive

Download FreeNAS

Burn it to a CD

Install it on the old box



You have a file server with a second disk to use for automated backups

(the utilities are built into FreeNAS)



A much less expensive solution, that I know works, because that's what I do on my home system.

Merry Christmas

Answer 5

Use some glue