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Thread ID: 46175 2004-06-15 12:05:00 linux server bpt1 (419) Press F1
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244899 2004-06-15 12:05:00 I shall be setting up a small office network (5 PCs) with a file/ print/ dial-up server. I want to use linux as my server software and perhaps as client os as well.
I have the option of a pIII 500 dual processor with 384MB RAM or a pIII 500 single processor with 768 MB RAM. Which should I get.
Any general advice re setting up the linux network?

Thanks

Bernard
bpt1 (419)
244900 2004-06-15 12:22:00 Either machine would be more than adequate for the job. whiskeytangofoxtrot (438)
244901 2004-06-15 13:02:00 I suspect the extra ram may be more usefull. mikebartnz (21)
244902 2004-06-15 14:00:00 Potentially, though dual processor would be kinda nice.

Depends on what you plan to serve on it to an extent.

Put the extra RAM into the dual-proc box, then we're getting somewhere.
whiskeytangofoxtrot (438)
244903 2004-06-15 15:13:00 If its a File / Print / Dial-up server then I'd use the one with the most RAM, and save the faster one to be used as a Desltop, for two reasons:
1. The speed of the Dual-CPU PC is a lot better for a desktop, and 384MB Ram is enough to run linux without swapping most of the time
2. A server will use more RAM better if its file-serving small files over and over, or serving http. Otherwise, you could use a P100 for the job, with 64MB Ram and notice precious little difference ;-)

Check out Slackware, its quite nice for servers IMO :-)


Chill.
Chilling_Silence (9)
244904 2004-06-15 21:23:00 > I shall be setting up a small office network (5 PCs)
> with a file/ print/ dial-up server. I want to use
> linux as my server software and perhaps as client os
> as well.
> I have the option of a pIII 500 dual processor with
> 384MB RAM or a pIII 500 single processor with 768 MB
> RAM. Which should I get.
> Any general advice re setting up the linux network?
>
> Thanks
>
> Bernard


This is a rather small network to require a dual processor server, unless you are running some very intensive processes on it. So without more details of the kind of office environment you are setting up, I will probably go for the single processor and more RAM, and save the money for the other client PCs.
nzStan (440)
244905 2004-06-16 00:59:00 Thanks for the advice. I can get hold of either machine for about $120. So I think I'll go for the one with the higher RAM.

B
bpt1 (419)
244906 2004-06-16 01:25:00 > Thanks for the advice. I can get hold of either
> machine for about $120. So I think I'll go for the
> one with the higher RAM.
>
> B

Where abouts are you to be able to get those machines at that price?
down here in Invers I can't seem to find anything even vaguely decent (in regards to old machines) for that price
Nigel Thomson (629)
244907 2004-06-16 01:29:00 They would be ex-leased or junkyard servers.

Look for computer brokers that deal in second hand equipment. But beware - their warranty is only between one to three months (or remainder of manufacturer's warranty).

Not sure about Invercargill, there are quite a few of these brokers in Auckland.
nzStan (440)
244908 2004-06-16 10:10:00 These are ex Government department computers made available to schools and community groups in South Australia where I now live. bpt1 (419)
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