File Server for Office

[desk003]

A client of mine who has an office with 8 people, handling really important data, and that data is mainly on each machine, not backed up, wants to upgrade to a central file server with redundancy, for $1k or less.

They've got some older PII 300s, and an old PII 400 Compaq Proliant 1600 server, but there's just one 4GB hd, and I don't think I can find any HDs to fit it's hot-swap bays.

What would I need for this? Would a PII do, or should I get something better? Also, I'd like to have at least 2 hds in hot-swap (if possible) on RAID-1. Maybe a tape drive too, if it'd be possible. I was thinking about buying a barebones system, AMD duron 1.8, 512mb, for about $300.

-Foxconn Barebone
-AMD Duron 1.8 Applebred
-Kingston ValueRAM 512mb (maybe two 256mb's, to run DDR?)
-HSF
-x2 Seagate 80GB 7200.9

However I'm not sure if this would be the best way to go either. I built one like this for my parent's engraving store, for the design files, but we didn't wanna spend very much money and it'd be okay if it died and I had to get a replacement for something, but with my client that isn't all that okay. This would be some very important data. (this is a small insurance company).

I need to know what I should tell them we need. I'm not too sure. Need low cost, but pretty high relialibity.

[EDIT: Also, I don't know that much about linux, and think that it probably would be the best approach. Ubuntu? Also I'd want a utility to monitor the smart status of drives, fan speed, etc, and email me if something decides to take a vacation]

 

[MichaelD]

You can build or buy. Dell and HP both sell pedestal servers (mid tower case, basically) with a single CPU (upgradable to two) or a dual core CPU, with onboard SATA RAID or SCSI raid and some remote management functionality.

You can buy a two-drive box for RAID 1 redundancy for about that $1K pricepoint.

 

[alent1234]

i always liked buying HP rather than building. they have great driver support and installation and I prefer one contact for warranty issues

we have some cheapo ML somethings that are a few hundred $$$ as domain controllers

 

[RebateMonger]

Last time I checked (a few days ago), Dell had their little SC440 Server, complete with a RAID1 pair of SATA drives and Windows Small Business Server 2003 pre-installed, for well less than $1000. In fact, there was enough left over to buy a pair of removable SATA hard drives for backups.

It'd be MORE than adequate as a file server and email server for eight people.

 

[piasabird]

Sounds like a dinosaur farm to me.

 

[nweaver]

Originally posted by: RebateMonger
Last time I checked (a few days ago), Dell had their little SC440 Server, complete with a RAID1 pair of SATA drives and Windows Small Business Server 2003 pre-installed, for well less than $1000. In fact, there was enough left over to buy a pair of removable SATA hard drives for backups.

It'd be MORE than adequate as a file server and email server for eight people.

That looks to be a good solution...

 

[ultimatebob]

If it's really important data, you should really be buying a name brand server with a 24/7 support contract. Make sure that it has a RAID controller and redundant power supplies, too.

While you're at it, come up with an off-site backup plan. Even the best servers can't save your data if you get robbed or the place burns down.

 

[zephyrprime]

They should have tape backup as well as raid 1. Just using raid 1 isn't enough. If the power supply explodes or the building burns down, their business would be screwed.

 

[oynaz]

Use a NAS instead:

http://www.synology.com/enu/index.php

 

[RebateMonger]

It's unlikely that a company looking for a $1000 Server will want to spend another $1000 for a tape drive, controller, and tapes.

To add some detail to my earlier recommendation:

a) Buy a low-end Dell Server with RAID 1 drives and SBS 2003 pre-installed.
b) Install a hot-swap-capable SATA controller
c) Purchase AT LEAST two 320GB (or so) SATA hard drives and put them into external SATA housings or use internal, removable, SATA drive trays. The total cost for such a system, with two drives, is about $300.
d) Configure the built-in SBS Backup wizard to make daily full system backups.
e) Swap out the backup drives on whatever schedule makes sense for your business and your data. Remember that the only GUARANTEED backup is on media that's NOT connected to your Server and is offsite.
f) Unless you swap out the backup drives daily, keep MULTIPLE backups on the same backup drive. Do NOT allow the SBS backup to overwrite the previous day's backup. If you do, and if today's backup fails, you won't have YESTERDAY's backup, either, since it's now been overwritten by today's "bad" backup.
g) If SBS reports a backup failure, fix the problem immediately.
h) Test your backups at least monthly. Be sure that your files are actually restorable.

 

[desk003]

Originally posted by: RebateMonger
Last time I checked (a few days ago), Dell had their little SC440 Server, complete with a RAID1 pair of SATA drives and Windows Small Business Server 2003 pre-installed, for well less than $1000. In fact, there was enough left over to buy a pair of removable SATA hard drives for backups.

It'd be MORE than adequate as a file server and email server for eight people.

the SC-440, lowest config, without OS, is $757. Windows Small Business 2003 R2 pre-install Standard adds $500, tape drive adds $400. Don't know where you found your price w/ an OS.

 

[desk003]

Originally posted by: RebateMonger
It's unlikely that a company looking for a $1000 Server will want to spend another $1000 for a tape drive, controller, and tapes.

To add some detail to my earlier recommendation:

a) Buy a low-end Dell Server with RAID 1 drives and SBS 2003 pre-installed.
b) Install a hot-swap-capable SATA controller
c) Purchase AT LEAST two 320GB (or so) SATA hard drives and put them into external SATA housings or use internal, removable, SATA drive trays. The total cost for such a system, with two drives, is about $300.
d) Configure the built-in SBS Backup wizard to make daily full system backups.
e) Swap out the backup drives on whatever schedule makes sense for your business and your data. Remember that the only GUARANTEED backup is on media that's NOT connected to your Server and is offsite.
f) Unless you swap out the backup drives daily, keep MULTIPLE backups on the same backup drive. Do NOT allow the SBS backup to overwrite the previous day's backup. If you do, and if today's backup fails, you won't have YESTERDAY's backup, either, since it's now been overwritten by today's "bad" backup.
g) If SBS reports a backup failure, fix the problem immediately.
h) Test your backups at least monthly. Be sure that your files are actually restorable.

This is all great information, thanks. However I still need the price to be under $1k~, and I can't seem to get it there. Could you possibly point me into the right direction on the server and hot-swap bays? Thanks

 

[RebateMonger]

Originally posted by: desk003
the SC-440, lowest config, without OS, is $757. Windows Small Business 2003 R2 pre-install Standard adds $500, tape drive adds $400. Don't know where you found your price w/ an OS.

Look harder:

Dell SC440 with SBS 2003. $714. Need to add another $100 or so for RAID1 drives.

That offer expires today, though.

I get my SATA controllers and hot-swap trays from Granitedigital.com. Be aware that internal SATA hot-swap trays may not fit into the SC440 unless you remove the front case cover. You can also use external SATA drive housings. The result, and the total cost, are about the same.

 

[desk003]

Ah, that's why. I wasn't looking at the special deals. Sucks that it expires today, though, so it's basically out. Bah!

 

[zainali]

Originally posted by: desk003
Ah, that's why. I wasn't looking at the special deals. Sucks that it expires today, though, so it's basically out. Bah!

there will be another deal tomorrow.

contact dell sales and they might be able to get u a better deal.

 

[RebateMonger]

Originally posted by: zainali
there will be another deal tomorrow.

contact dell sales and they might be able to get u a better deal.

Dell deals come and go. If you catch the right one, you can save mucho bucks. I just got a PE1800 Server, with 2GB of RAM, and RAID1 drives and controller for $500 less than another client paid for a much "cheaper" PE830 a week earlier.

It's all in the timing. Dell offers the "nearly-free SBS 2003" on their lower-end Servers about once a month, it seems.

I forgot to mention.....for an 8-person office, Microsoft's SBS 2003 software is likely to eventually ask that the extra three people (beyond the basic 5-user license that comes with SBS) have licenses (CALs). A five-pack of additional User CALs is about $400.

(At this point, insert rants from Linux enthusiasts about how paying $20 a year for a User CAL is too much to bear)

 

[desk003]

hmm, thanks guys. Okay, so you recommend going with Win 2003 SBE verses ubuntu linux? I've never used windows 2003 SBE, does that come with something that'll notify me if it's died?

 

[RebateMonger]

Originally posted by: desk003
hmm, thanks guys. Okay, so you recommend going with Win 2003 SBE verses ubuntu linux? I've never used windows 2003 SBE, does that come with something that'll notify me if it's died?

Check out Microsoft's SBS site (http://microsoft.com/sbs) for some details.

Features of SBS 2003.

Yes, it gives you daily Status reports, Usage Reports, automated emailed alerts of problems, and backup status. As well as a jillion other features that help share information in the office.

SBS 2003 and Ubuntu Linux are apples and oranges. SBS is, basically, a complete office server, with email, web-based information sharing, automated backups, monitoring, and automated updates. Ubuntu is a server OS. Any other functions will require adding additional software. You can chose depending on what your needs are and your ability to maintain the Server.

 

[ColemontHD]

Originally posted by: desk003
A client of mine who has an office with 8 people, handling really important data, and that data is mainly on each machine, not backed up, wants to upgrade to a central file server with redundancy, for $1k or less.

They've got some older PII 300s, and an old PII 400 Compaq Proliant 1600 server, but there's just one 4GB hd, and I don't think I can find any HDs to fit it's hot-swap bays.

What would I need for this? Would a PII do, or should I get something better? Also, I'd like to have at least 2 hds in hot-swap (if possible) on RAID-1. Maybe a tape drive too, if it'd be possible. I was thinking about buying a barebones system, AMD duron 1.8, 512mb, for about $300.

-Foxconn Barebone
-AMD Duron 1.8 Applebred
-Kingston ValueRAM 512mb (maybe two 256mb's, to run DDR?)
-HSF
-x2 Seagate 80GB 7200.9

However I'm not sure if this would be the best way to go either. I built one like this for my parent's engraving store, for the design files, but we didn't wanna spend very much money and it'd be okay if it died and I had to get a replacement for something, but with my client that isn't all that okay. This would be some very important data. (this is a small insurance company).

I need to know what I should tell them we need. I'm not too sure. Need low cost, but pretty high relialibity.

[EDIT: Also, I don't know that much about linux, and think that it probably would be the best approach. Ubuntu? Also I'd want a utility to monitor the smart status of drives, fan speed, etc, and email me if something decides to take a vacation]

The Dell Edge SC240 sever is perfect, and its cheap!

 

[desk003]

Yea, I'd feel more comfortable with SBS than ubuntu. Thanks for all your help, now I just gotta get a hard price and send it to my boss.

 

[jleves]

Considering the price point, you have to think outside the box a bit. I think you have plenty of suggestions for the raid protecting the data onsite. For cheap offsite backup, get a USB harddrive. Automate a synch of the most important files and have the boss take that drive home everynight. It's not the ideal solution, but if the place does burn down, you have the data for few $$$. If you can afford two USB drives, rotate them so he takes one home each night and brings the other back the next day.

 

[desk003]

Originally posted by: ColemontHD
...The Dell Edge SC240 sever is perfect, and its cheap!

I assume you mean the 440? Searched for the 240 on dell's site, it isnt there...

 

[desk003]

Originally posted by: jleves
Considering the price point, you have to think outside the box a bit. I think you have plenty of suggestions for the raid protecting the data onsite. For cheap offsite backup, get a USB harddrive. Automate a synch of the most important files and have the boss take that drive home everynight. It's not the ideal solution, but if the place does burn down, you have the data for few $$$. If you can afford two USB drives, rotate them so he takes one home each night and brings the other back the next day.

Yea, I'm thinking an sata enclosure instead of usb though, for speed. But it's on the list!

 

[alent1234]

Originally posted by: desk003
A client of mine who has an office with 8 people, handling really important data, and that data is mainly on each machine, not backed up, wants to upgrade to a central file server with redundancy, for $1k or less.

They've got some older PII 300s, and an old PII 400 Compaq Proliant 1600 server, but there's just one 4GB hd, and I don't think I can find any HDs to fit it's hot-swap bays.

What would I need for this? Would a PII do, or should I get something better? Also, I'd like to have at least 2 hds in hot-swap (if possible) on RAID-1. Maybe a tape drive too, if it'd be possible. I was thinking about buying a barebones system, AMD duron 1.8, 512mb, for about $300.

-Foxconn Barebone
-AMD Duron 1.8 Applebred
-Kingston ValueRAM 512mb (maybe two 256mb's, to run DDR?)
-HSF
-x2 Seagate 80GB 7200.9

However I'm not sure if this would be the best way to go either. I built one like this for my parent's engraving store, for the design files, but we didn't wanna spend very much money and it'd be okay if it died and I had to get a replacement for something, but with my client that isn't all that okay. This would be some very important data. (this is a small insurance company).

I need to know what I should tell them we need. I'm not too sure. Need low cost, but pretty high relialibity.

[EDIT: Also, I don't know that much about linux, and think that it probably would be the best approach. Ubuntu? Also I'd want a utility to monitor the smart status of drives, fan speed, etc, and email me if something decides to take a vacation]

you might find those drives on ebay, but there is no warranty

you can look at an HP MSA thingo with a modern few drives and add it to the server