RE: OT: Network / Server

From: Bernd D. Ratsch (bernd@dodgetrucks.org)
Date: Thu Sep 13 2007 - 22:29:36 EDT


Yes...you'll need an OS to run the RAID file share along with the RAID
Controller to handle the RAID5 (which isn't all it's cracked up to be).
Or...if it's just for home use, run the built-in (basic) RAID option within
Disk Manager. On the CAT5, that's a given. If you have the Pre-N and it
supports Gigabit, run CAT6 (not any more expensive than CAT5 and can handle
more bandwidth).

- Bernd

-----Original Message-----
From: Jamie Calder [mailto:jcalder3@cfl.rr.com]
Sent: Thursday, September 13, 2007 8:53 PM
To: dakota-truck@dakota-truck.net
Subject: RE: DML: OT: Network / Server

Thanks for all the replies...

If I use a separate file server with raid, does it still need an OS to work
(sorry if this is a basic question)?

OR

I like the suggestion of using the Media Center PC as the file server. I
suppose it would be a pretty expensive machine. It would have to be fast,
use RAID, and I would have to get a CAT 5 from the router in our office to
the living room (since we already have a pre-N network).

Any more pro's and con's of the 2 suggestions? Or any other ideas?

-----Original Message-----
From: owner-dakota-truck@bent.twistedbits.net
[mailto:owner-dakota-truck@bent.twistedbits.net] On Behalf Of Dustin
Williams
Sent: Thursday, September 13, 2007 12:05 PM
To: dakota-truck@dakota-truck.net
Subject: Re: DML: OT: Network / Server

What's been said is all good. It is easier to have the file server as a
separate machine, and that way it doesn't have to be all that powerful.
Otherwise you're going to want to use it as the workstation that get's the
least amount of use.

Media Center computers are fun, but a few things to keep in mind with those
is that if you store the media files on the server you will probably want to
have it hard wired rather than going wireless.
Another route would be to use the media center machine as the file server
and use an Xbox 360 to access it. The downside to this is that it requries
you to have a A/G wireless network if you want to connect wirelessly.

Dustin

On 9/13/07, Pindell, Tim P <TPindell@otterbein.edu> wrote:
>
> What he said. External/portable drives are inexpensive and easy to use.
> You could also use a DVD burner for backups, although in my experience
> those are better for off-line storage. They are also write-once so
> there's no accidentally overwriting a good file. (I like to burn
> financial stuff to CD and keep them at the bank with my other docs.)
> Keep in mind that you'll need at least three (preferably identical)
> drives for RAID5. Most enthusiast mainboards these days come with a
> decent SATA RAID controller baked right in. You could use a
> workstation as the file server, but just be careful that it remains
> stable for the other users. I prefer a separate box. Anybody else
> want to add anything?
>
>
>
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: owner-dakota-truck@bent.twistedbits.net
> > [mailto:owner-dakota-truck@bent.twistedbits.net] On Behalf Of Barry
> > Oliver
> > Sent: Wednesday, September 12, 2007 11:56 PM
> > To: dakota-truck@dakota-truck.net
> > Subject: Re: DML: OT: Network / Server
> >
> >
> > One machine, lotsa drives.
> >
> > 1 drive for OS and SW.
> > SATA Raid Array for media, Raid 5 is preferrable.
> > ...a 750 gb drive in an external case for transfer and backup duties
> > [think fireproof safe between backups]
> >
> >
> >
> > Jamie Calder wrote:
> > > I realize there's a bunch of computer nuts here so this is where
> > > I'm starting my research.
> > >
> > > Right now we have 4 computers wirelessly networked, 2 for
> > my wife business,
> > > my laptop and the kids computer.
> > >
> > > I would like get another one (or 2 depending how we go
> > about this) and use
> > > one with Media Center in our living room on our HDTV. I'd
> > also want a better
> > > backup solution, perhaps a raid setup. What's a good setup
> > for our use?
> > >
> > > Have one server with raid with all our files on it
> > (personal and business)
> > > networked with the Media Center computer, our office
> > computers, and personal
> > > computers?
> > >
> > > Or can one of these computers be also used as the server
> > (Media Center
> > > computer with raid as the server)
> > >
> > > What is Windows Home Server? Is this a server that needs
> > an operating
> > > system installed on it, an operating system in itself or
> > just a computer
> > > that holds files (no OS)?
> > >
> > > Thanks for any advise!
> > >
> > > James
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> >
> >
>
>



This archive was generated by hypermail 2b29 : Tue Oct 02 2007 - 15:23:18 EDT