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Thread ID: 134775	2013-08-10 03:20:00	Setting up a home server for files, music and php testing server	Morgenmuffel (187)	Press F1

Post ID	Timestamp	Content	User
1351015	2013-08-10 03:20:00	Greetings all Basically all I want is to be able to set up a server that contains files and music to be shared on the home network, and the ability to use it for website development. Not to fussed on the OS, as it should just work in the background, the PCs in our house use itunes for music (yes i know loads of people hate apple, but it works and I love the genius playlist feature as its selections are almost always spot on with a few extra tracks that i wouldn't have thought to add) Anyway my budget is low, I don't really want to spend much more than $50, I am assuming I can use old hardware for this but that is what is confusing me. I don't want the server to suck power, in all likelihood it will probably be used for 5-6 hours a day, but I don't want to be turning it on and off all the time. So this is where my dumb questions start If the computer has a 400w power supply does that mean it uses 400w per hour 24/7 if it is left on? or does it mean that the computer can use up to a maximum of 400w and in practise with everyday use will use less than that Obviously I don't want the computer running full tilt 24/7 is that what "wake on Lan" was designed for, as in can i just leave the server turned on and it will power down when not required and then wake up when needed? I have been looking at PCs like these which from what i can remember have small power supplies, and as i won't be using graphics cards or any peripherals they should be fine www.trademe.co.nz www.trademe.co.nz www.trademe.co.nz Would they be suitable? I do have an old Athlon XP 2500 but it has a $400w powere supply etc, so possibly not suitable?	Morgenmuffel (187)
1351016	2013-08-10 04:17:00	For a general file/music server, any old clunker will do. Doesn't have to be powerful, one of my older ones was only a celeron, that worked fine for years until the motherboard died one day. Wouldn't go worrying to much about a 400W PSU, its not going to be drawing 400W sitting there doing nothing. You dont need a KB/Mouse or monitor either ( except foe setting up the first time) you can quite happily leave it running 24/7, if you do want access to the desktop or its settings, then put something like teamviewer on it, and then remotely link in from any other PC. The biggest thing you need to concerned about with older hardware is its more prone to failing - so if you have lots of music, files etc, you need to have them backed up someplace else as well. The other item you need to look at is expansion - does the motherboard & Case have the extra connections to add in more drives when the original get filled up. As for a OS-- you can use something like XP, or if you want free, some version of linux, at the end of the day all it needs to be able to do is share folders and their contents over a LAN, as your iTunes will only be playing music from the server, not actually running on it. You can also try the free Amahi Home Server. As for website development - thats a different story, you may need a more dedicated OS/ Software.	wainuitech (129)
1351017	2013-08-10 04:42:00	As for website development - thats a different story, you may need a more dedicated OS/ Software. Not really - you can use something like XAMPP on top of client Windows (doesn't have to be server). :)	pcuser42 (130)
1351018	2013-08-10 04:53:00	Not really - you can use something like XAMPP on top of client Windows (doesn't have to be server). :) Thats good to know, that why I said may need the software - not really into website developments/serving :) I see its a variant of Apache, which I did have a play about with many years ago, but decided it wasn't worth the hassle running a site from my own location.	wainuitech (129)
1351019	2013-08-10 04:58:00	I see its a variant of Apache It is Apache :p it just includes MySQL and Perl as well.	pcuser42 (130)
1351020	2013-08-10 07:51:00	Greetings all Basically all I want is to be able to set up a server that contains files and music to be shared on the home network, and the ability to use it for website development. Not to fussed on the OS, as it should just work in the background, the PCs in our house use itunes for music (yes i know loads of people hate apple, but it works and I love the genius playlist feature as its selections are almost always spot on with a few extra tracks that i wouldn't have thought to add) Anyway my budget is low, I don't really want to spend much more than $50, I am assuming I can use old hardware for this but that is what is confusing me. I don't want the server to suck power, in all likelihood it will probably be used for 5-6 hours a day, but I don't want to be turning it on and off all the time. So this is where my dumb questions start If the computer has a 400w power supply does that mean it uses 400w per hour 24/7 if it is left on? or does it mean that the computer can use up to a maximum of 400w and in practise with everyday use will use less than that Obviously I don't want the computer running full tilt 24/7 is that what "wake on Lan" was designed for, as in can i just leave the server turned on and it will power down when not required and then wake up when needed? I have been looking at PCs like these which from what i can remember have small power supplies, and as i won't be using graphics cards or any peripherals they should be fine www.trademe.co.nz www.trademe.co.nz www.trademe.co.nz Would they be suitable? I do have an old Athlon XP 2500 but it has a $400w powere supply etc, so possibly not suitable? I wouldnt get any of those PCs from trademe...SFF dont have the best airflow and components are cramped in...the tower only has 2 sata ports!...id see if you can find an old server..	SolMiester (139)
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