Home Server.

[Pferox]

If you have a home network, and buy a new machine, what do you do with the old one? 

Use it as a server 

Servers have a lot of benefits, and a slower machine compared to the rest of the network isn't a problem, because it can usually use all of its resources to keep do less tasks.

I posted a blog about that here:

http://pferox.multiply.com/journal/item/407/We_Now_Have_a_Server?replies_read=3

In Software, I added Smart Defrag, this way it is constantly polishing up the disks while it is waiting for a call to duty, I also set the monitor to go to sleep quickly as a means to conserve power.

I am still setting it up, but so far it is a print server, storage server for all of our pictures, and old data files.

I'm going to set it up as a place to store our automatic backups for the other machines as well.

This gives me one place where I can access when I want to put backups on disk when I have the time.

There are cases and components that allow you to make a dedicated server for your home with newer components, but that can get expensive, this is a good way to get a little more life out of your old machine, and help quicken up the other machines in the family network.

[Pferox]

I wanted to post a couple pics of the server which is doing very well in the corner of our computer room, hopefully they aren't too dark to see.

I just recently got a CATe5 cable off of Ebay for 2 cents, and 4 bucks shipping, man are those expensive at the store, 14 foot was over 10 bucks.

By getting the cable and using it on our switch box instead of the usb wireless G set up, I almost doubled the communication speed. It has made a noticeable difference in retrieval speeds.

I have a lot of music on CDs that I downloaded to my machine, but providing that data for the network here slowed my machine down considerably, after copying the files to the server, I can listen to music on Jan's machine when she is at work and still work on my machine with no problems.

I'm thinking about adding a set of good speakers to the server, thus allowing it to play music and do streaming video while we are both at our machines, would make a nice addition to the room.

The difference in print speeds between the wireless and wired configurations is astronomically improved, although I will admit that the ol' Dell might be a little slow for high speed printing.



The server is tucked away in a corner, using a small stand, the tower is underneath, mouse and keyboard are stored on top of the tower until they are needed and the monitor is on top. A stool provides a good way to hold the mouse and keyboard when in use, when not needed it is a good place to keep a full coffee cup.



We were then able to move the printer and scanner to another spot, allowing more desk space for Jan to work with, still allowing easy access to both pieces of equipment.