Server Hardware - Anyone?

[Tomdarkness]

Hey,

Basically I have a old computer that I currently use as my own personal server at home (Serves 4 PCs) that is used for a range of tasks (File sharing, automated backups, DHCP server, etc.). Unfortuently (part due to my fault of not putting it on a surge protected power strip) a power surge has fried my motherboard.

Now I have been browsing the good old ebay for some used/refurbished servers as I think it is time to buy a `proper` server but obviously I don't want to fork out huge amounts of money as it is only for small personal use. A few searches for my price range (~£200) have brought up a number of HP ProLiant servers (Specifically HP ProLiant DL380 and DL320 both G3).

While I know these server models are fairly old I don't think their performance should be terrible - should it?

Just wondering what your views are on these used/refurbished servers (Specifically the HP ProLiant models above - remember generation 3)?

Also while I am here I was wondering if you guys have any advice in regards to SCSI hard drives (Where is the best place for them and do I need any specific models/types to fit in the ProLiant servers?).

Thanks,

Tom

 

[mac550]

why dont you just get an old computer and run windows server or linux on it, i have, i think its pointless spending out loads on a server when you can just use an old computer.

 

[Hugh9191]

My Pentium 4 server running Ubuntu seems speedy enough and it's running a domain!

Your's is just file serving so anything as of a P4 would do nicely.

 

[EGS]

Why don't you get a new motherboard? Any old PC would work, anything 800mhz and beyond would work perfectly for you. Use Ubuntu and you'll be good. Specs really don't matter with any Linux or BSD OS, it's what you do...and what you're doing doesn't require anything fancy. Remember too, any custom PC could be used as a server. All my servers are custom built with regular computer parts...I don't go after the parts that are marketed as optimized for servers etc because there's really no difference other than the pricing!