Thanks for your feedback, here is more details about what I am looking to do:
Do you want a pre-built machine, or are you happy to build one yourself?
A pre-built machine is ok for me, as I currently have no PC spare parts. I am also happy with one to build myself .
What CPU and RAM requirements do you have ?
I would like 4GB of RAM and a CPU dual core 2 duo. But I am very open for other options.
How many hard disks and what size do they need to be?
I would need at least 640GB, but 1500GB would nice to have.
To me a "server" is a densely packed rack of multi core, multi hdd,redundant PSUs, minimum 8 gigs of ram machines.
You're right, but in my case, the number of concurrent connections will be very small: only me, my girlfriend and sometimes 1 or 2 friends, that's all. This is a server, in the sense that it will be on 24h/24 7d/7. It will be a personal server.
Other people say "server" and they really mean a NAS or DAS.
Yes, I will use this server to store pictures, documents, music, ... But I will not do only that, that's why a NAS or DAS is not what I am looking for.
What do you need to serve? Website? DataBase?Media?Terminal server? all of the above?
Since it is the 1st server I will ever have, the usage is not completely defined yet and will evolve when using it. But here is what I will do as soon as I get it:
- share files, music and access them from home and from outside home
- backup my laptop on it
- a printer server
Then quickly after:
- install a few applications on it that I can access from everywhere using remote desktop via the web interface client
- install a private sharepoint app to manage shopping list and all sort of lists like this
- ... to be defined when I get more experience with it
Is there a reason you need Windows 2003? I might recommend getting a Windows Home Server.
Good question. Are there any things that can be done with Windows Home server that can NOT be done with Windows 2003 (with some MS add-on or third-party add-on)?
The reason I am going for Win2003, is that I have already used a bit Win2003 at my work.. and I have never used Win Home Server. The other reason is that I do not want to be limited with the way I will use this server because I know I will have other usage of it with getting more experience: one of it is installing sharepoint, installing applications and using remote desktop.
HP has their MediaSmart Server line
I am afraid this home server might be noisy (?).