Low cost server

[KenSr]

I have a P3 450 256MB PC100. Would this be good enough for a internet/printer server?
My internet is DSL from Direcway satallite and I have to have it connected by USB to a computer so I can't use a cable router.
Thanks
Ken

 

[JackMDS]

Should be fine for Linux, or Win98.

WinXP might be "Slow" on 450MHz.

 

[KenSr]

Direcway is not compatable with Linux. I was thinking about using Win 2000 pro.

 

[JackMDS]

I would not use Win2000 as real server on 450MHz.

However if you would boost the memory to 512MHz, you can try.

 

[Night201]

Use Clark Connect on it. It runs off of RedHat 9. It's awesome!

www.clarkconnect.com

You can turn your computer into a router, firewall, email server, web server, DCHP, etc...

 

[ivwshane]

Originally posted by: KenSr
Direcway is not compatable with Linux. I was thinking about using Win 2000 pro.

I run win2k3 server on a PII 450 with 256MB of ram. Yes it's a little slow but since I don't actually use it, it's fine as a router, DHCP, active directory machine.

 

[RhythmAddict]

Im using a celeron 500 w/256 on it right now. It is just a data storage box, and it works well (actually i just hooked this up yesterday) it isn't super fast, don't get me wrong. but the only thing i'm even gonna do with this box is play music and store data...it'll be more than sufficient for streaming data/movies/music off of it....i just can't have it doing any intense stuff, which it won't be. SO i think you'll be fine w/win2k provided you aren't going to do anything procesor intensive....
In short, As a router I think you'll be fine

Also, you mentioned your DSL isn't linux compatible...are you sure your ISP just doesn't want to support linux? That seems strange, because a *nix box is going to use the same protocols that a Win box will. Unless there is some special win only sofware on your comp. I'd def try nix first if possible...Good luck.

On a side note, JackMDS stated you might want bump the memory up to 512Mhz I think you mean, MB RAM, right?

 

[exx1976]

My server at home is a 633 Celery with 768Mb in it.. It works VERY well, and runs Windows 2000 Advanced server and Exchange 2000 Enterprise Edition and Active Directory very well.. Also use it as a file server.. As long as you're not building a database server or an application server (Terminal Services), processor speed does not play a hugely important role..

Now don't get me wrong, there is no way I could support more than 6 or 8 mailboxes with the processor that I am using.. But, since my mailbox is the only one on it, and it's just a test machine, it doesn't really matter..

My production Exchange server at my office is a hardware clustered dual 2.8 XEON with 4Gb of RAM sharing 1Tb of U160 10k RPM SCSI..

I have built Windows 2000 servers on hardware as crappy as a 233MMX with 128Mb.. It ran SLOW as all get out, but it was great to use to learn on to certify on something.. It just took a little while longer to do anything with it.. LOL

 

[JackMDS]

I like saving more than most people.

However when it comes to computers there is a fine line between ?Saving? and ?Torture?. :disgust:

I was playing with Win2003 beta server on 450MHz rig.

There was minutes during the day that I was using four letters words.

I invested (do not smile) $37 in a Celeron 1GHz (It runs as is 1.17 GHz FSB 117MHz).

Very pleasurable $37.

If you run applications that Celeron will not tolerate you can find Upper end of P-III for a similar price at the Trading Forum. :music:

Similarly 256MB of PC100 RAM can be found for less than $20.

If been a Masochist is the point I think I still have an AMD125-486 in storage. :gift:

 

[KenSr]

Well I guess the P3 450 is going to be to slow. I have a P4 2.4 that I can use if I have to, I thought if I could get by with the P3 it would run cooler and use less power and I wasn't using it for anything else it would be a good choise.
Now another question if I use the P4, which OS would be best? I have both Win 2K pro and XP pro.

Ken

 

[exx1976]

If you're trying to build a server, you need a server OS....

 

[KenSr]

I am not wanting a full server, just a computer to use as as a Windows based internet and printer sharing device.

Ken

 

[ivwshane]

I would imagine that as long as you have an OS that supports pppoe that you should have no problem hooking dsl up to it. If that's the case then I recomend clark connect as well.

 

[KenSr]

Direcway has to be used with 98se, ME, Win 2K, XP only. Which one would be best of the ones listed?

 

[RhythmAddict]

Originally posted by: exx1976
If you're trying to build a server, you need a server OS....

Win2k Pro can support up to 10 clients....I don't think Win2kServer/2k3Server is necessary for home use....Is it cool to have? Yes

 

[Avatar26]

Win2k Pro can support up to 10 clients....I don't think Win2kServer/2k3Server is necessary for home use....Is it cool to have? Yes

I'll second that, I set up a little P3 450 running Win2k Pro for ICS and printer sharing at my folks house, runs great!