Planning a Home Server

Locust76

So... I'm currently planning a home server system. It won't be a reality for maybe a year, but I'm such a nerd that I basically fantasize about this thing and browse online computer stores for ideas in my spare time.

What I basically want is a system that will have tons of reduntant storage with services such as Windows File Sharing, DLNA and DAAP (iTunes) media servers.

I've been thinking a lot about building this thing around a Drobo (or Drobo-esque) storage box. I will probably wait until they come out with a Drobo 3 (hopefully with built-in GigabitEthernet and/or eSata). I was also thinking about virtualizing the server using VMware ESXi so that I can do more nerdy shit by having multiple OSes (maybe 2 max). Plus, ESXi would make remote management a breeze.

My question, I suppose, is this: I've been looking at Intel Atom-based netbooks and small PCs. The system has to be as quiet and energy-efficient as possible (otherwise my wife would kill me). Is it silly of me to want to run a 64-bit hypervisor such as ESXi with 64 bit Linux (or maybe even Windows Home Server.. who knows?) on such a processor? Processing demands wouldn't be too terribly high. It would be strictly a file server with maybe some torrenting going on and perhaps the occasional media conversion.

Can anyone recommend some brands/models of ultra-small PC boxes that run quietly and efficiently?

devoir

The hardware you're looking at won't be compatible with ESXi unless I'm totally misunderstanding you.

http://www.vmware.com/resources/compatibility/search.php?action=base&deviceCategory=server

Edit: Nevermind, remembered there's a hack to get it running on desktop hardware.

Locust76

That is actually something I never considered. If that's the case, then I have no issues with going with a single OS sans virtualization. I wouldn't want to compromise system integrity in the long-run by having to resort to hacks to get it all to work properly.

useless4

I am about to do a full-on server too when i move, are you going to use accounts/permissions/roles above and beyond simple file sharing? That's the part I am debating now - do i need to go all out or do I just continue to do it how I am doing it now.

Trentus

I've actually been looking at putting together a small, quiet, NAS system for a little while, and in my searches to see what other people are doing I came across a sexy little Open Solaris box (though you could use whichever OS you like) a guy put together. It might be worth having a quick look at it. Linky.

Daedalus

Also, as far as I can tell, the Atom processors are only 32-bit (or, at least, they're invariably soldered onto motherboards that can only accept 2GB of RAM). edit: nevermind, the laptop Atoms don't support x86_64 but the desktop ones apparently do.

Still, it's more than enough muscle for a non-virtualized home server, and the picoITX Intel Atom boards you can find on newegg are fairly cheap. It might be a really neat project.

Trentus

Daedalus wrote: »

Still, it's more than enough muscle for a non-virtualized home server, and the picoITX Intel Atom boards you can find on newegg are fairly cheap. It might be a really neat project.

Unfortunately, the case seems to be where I'd blow a lot of cash... haven't managed to find anyone in Australia selling them yet. There are a few places in the US that sell them for a decent price, but once you add the shipping it just makes it so unattractive. I found a really cheap one on eBay just the other day (and from a seller with a good rep), but it ended up sold before I could get the money together

Nakatomi2010

I swear by Windows Home Server.

I've been running Windows Home Server since it was in the beta stages, it allows for convenient web hosting, data backup, data storage, and remote management of machines on your network.

When using a Home Server it registers a domain name with Microsoft so that you can get at your server from anywhere, despite whether or not you know the IP. It also makes the conenctions secure. The link in my thread about the HTPC building? Yeah, that's hosted on my Home Server.

You can upload and download files from anywhere that has a internet conenction, I've used it to bypass silly rules and such, or to just get files from a client server to your server, or vice versa.

There are several diffferent plug-ins for Home Server that allows you to do many things, from media organization to streaming in some cases.


I love my Home Server, was the best lil' machine I ever built. Only thing it needs is a larger hard drive, cause 1.64TB is jus tnot enough...

urchin

Have you looked in the EEE Boxes any? They just released on in Italy with HDMI out that is roughly $440.
http://www.engadget.com/2009/03/04/asus-rolls-out-hd-minded-eee-box-206/2

But in the states right now the best you can get is one with DVI out for around $300

Locust76

I don't plan on having a username-based authentication system or Active Directory or some such silliness... just simple file sharing and media server capabilities. If ESXi won't run on an Atom, then so be it, I'll just load a linux server on it.

I don't feel like paying for a MS Home Server license, which is why I'm thinking about using Linux...

Locust76

urchin wrote: »

Have you looked in the EEE Boxes any? They just released on in Italy with HDMI out that is roughly $440.
http://www.engadget.com/2009/03/04/asus-rolls-out-hd-minded-eee-box-206/2

But in the states right now the best you can get is one with DVI out for around $300

Actually, those kinds of boxes are exactly what I was looking at!

Nakatomi2010

You can get a trial version of home Server to see if you like it initially... It has a fantasticly simple UI...

Locust76

Free is always good... I'm downloading a trial version of it right now to install virtually alongside a linux server mock-up. This should be interesting

Nakatomi2010

The bonus to Home Server is that it's very simple, and keeps things very simple. Just ask if you have any questions.

Dedian

So it definitely needs to be small/quiet? I'm just wondering if you could build a really quiet mini-tower-case based server, and have a lot more options for upgrading/expanding in the future - you could easily put together an ESXi compliant system that way too. As long as it was hidden away, maybe the wifey wouldn't mind too much

I just installed ESXi on my desktop for testing purposes. I did have to include a custom oem.tgz in order for it to recognize the nVidia MCP61 based ethernet card, but it wasn't really too bad (I'm guessing if you were thinking of using linux, that you'd be comfortable with the process). Anyway, I'm loving ESXi - I've been a vmware server guy for a long time, so the extra management capabilities are really nice. If you're looking for a simple file server type setup, maybe it's overkill, but you can easily add virtual machines to do whatever you want

E: woops, didn't see the 2009 on the message. Sorry for the dredging