Time to build a new server...

[IronMonkey]

Hi guys.

My old server is nearly 6 years old, and is very noisy. I think its time to retire this server and move onto a newer one.

I'm going to build one with a case that actually matches the main PC I have now (as they sit side by side), but I'm having trouble finding a motherboard that suits my needs.

I want to build the new one with 3x 1TB HDDs for storage and 1 IDE HDD (which I already have) for the OS. I'm just going to run either my existing copy of Windows XP Home or get Vista to put on it (haven't decided yet).

I might sway more towards Vista because it has much better options for user rights on shared folders.

Anyway, thats besides the point at this moment in time. I'm looking for a motherboard that has onboard video (no need for a powerful graphics card in a server), built-in LAN and at least 6 SATA slots.

Any of you guys know of any good models that fit that description?

I want the 6 SATA slots for future upgradability you see. Putting 3x 1TB HDDs and an LG DVD drive in there will leave me with 2 SATA slots left for future use.

Oh yeah, and ideally I'd like a motherboard with a COM port built-in for updating my Philips Pronto remote control.

S3 sleep capability is also a must-have. When the server isn't in use I want it to sleep and then wake up on network activity.

I realise lots of motherboards don't even have COM ports these days, so if I can find one with it built in, is it still possible to buy COM ports to sit in a PCI slot?

Anyway, to summarise what I need:

- 6x SATA
- Possibly 1x IDE
- LAN
- S3 power mode

Ideally, I'd like to stick with AMD, and probably AM2 architecture, because Sempron CPUs are very cheap at the moment and also consume very little power.

Any help, suggestions or advice would be great. Thanks!

[bradavon]

Out of interest why do you need that much storage? And why are you still using IDE? I'm just wondering.

Vista all the way IMO. XP is very out dated and those who won't go near Vista are fooling themselves XP is perfect, when it is far from it. IMO it has much more problems than Vista. Neither are perfect and both are very good OS's though.

How many PCs do you have btw?

S3 sleep capability is also a must-have. When the server isn't in use I want it to sleep and then wake up on network activity.

Isn't that standard now?

p.s - I don't know about Serial PCI cards but I'm sure you can get USB to Serial adapters.

[IronMonkey]

Out of interest why do you need that much storage? And why are you still using IDE? I'm just wondering.

I've just started work with a computer peripherals distributor (one of the largest in the UK) and I can get 1TB drives really cheap. So I figure, why not have 3TB? It should last me a good 5 or 6 years, like my last server has. Anyway, with HD TV shows now clocking in at approx. 1GB each, 3TB isn't as big as it once was.

Vista all the way IMO. XP is very out dated and those who won't go near Vista are fooling themselves XP is perfect, when it is far from it. IMO it has much more problems than Vista. Neither are perfect and both are very good OS's though.

I know Vista is better (I'm running Vista x64 on 2 of my 3 PCs) but I've still got Windows XP Home (genuine) that I'm using now for my current server, which I could just reuse on my new server.

I know Vista is a far better OS, you're preaching to the converted I just figured why buy a third copy of Vista when I'll probably want to upgrade my main PC to Windows 7 soon...

How many PCs do you have btw?

1. Main PC for gaming, Photoshop, Web design, level design
2. Server PC for storing all media files which are served to XBMC
3. HTPC for Windows Media Centre (Vista x64)
4. Laptop
5. Another laptop

S3 sleep capability is also a must-have. When the server isn't in use I want it to sleep and then wake up on network activity.

Isn't that standard now?

Well, I think so. I'll have to check it out.

p.s - I don't know about Serial PCI cards but I'm sure you can get USB to Serial adapters.

I guessed that would probably be the case, but I wonder how COM to USB adapters would work? My ProntoEdit software looks for the Pronto on COM1 when its trying to communicate with the remote. I don't know if a COM to USB cable would emulate a COM port on the PC or just act as a connection converter.

[EvaUnit02]

I highly recommend using Western Digital HDDs.

There was a time when I would've recommended Seagate as well, but the entirety of their last product line was unreliable with high mass failure rates. This was a big controversy in the IT circles. Google Seagate 7200.11 failure or something.

Here's a big thread about the issue.

Also in my opinion, the cost to storage space ratio of 10,000RPM drives (eg WD Velociraptor) is too low. Just buy 7200RPM drives and run them in RAID, IF you need the speed.

[bradavon]

So I figure, why not have 3TB? It should last me a good 5 or 6 years, like my last server has. Anyway, with HD TV shows now clocking in at approx. 1GB each, 3TB isn't as big as it once was.

Because it's an insane amount of disk space but as you must download loads of HD Shows, it probably isn't as much after all. How much does your existing server have?

Good work getting a new job, how long were you at Panasonic for?

I know Vista is better (I'm running Vista x64 on 2 of my 3 PCs) but I've still got Windows XP Home (genuine) that I'm using now for my current server, which I could just reuse on my new server.

As I'm sure you know, you may have trouble activating it and even if you convince MS to let you activate it, it's unlikely to be fully Genuine any more but I do agree, with W7 on the horizon no way buy another copy of any Windows.

1. Main PC for gaming, Photoshop, Web design, level design
2. Server PC for storing all media files which are served to XBMC
3. HTPC for Windows Media Centre (Vista x64)
4. Laptop
5. Another laptop

I'd probably combine the Main PC and Server into one but then I wouldn't be using the Media Center and Main PC at the same time. I only have one laptop, which is fine for me. I'm seriously thinking about a Netbook but strictly only after W7 is released. I couldn't go back to XP now and Linux doesn't interest me.

I've considered WMC but every time I use it on my laptop I've found it clunky and unresponsive. If I was going to go down this route I'd likely get some sort of Media box I could plug into my TV direct. Windows is just too complicated for this sort of thing IMO. I've no problem with my laptop being complicated but if I had to use Windows to play DVDs for example, I'd soon get pissed off.

As it happens I download so little, I don't need it and when I do I just burn it to a DVD (presuming it's Xvid/DivX) and play it on my HDD/DVD Recorder. I buy enough DVD/BDs to make sure I've got something to watch plus what I record on my Freeview+ box.

Anyway I digress, back on topic:

I guessed that would probably be the case, but I wonder how COM to USB adapters would work? My ProntoEdit software looks for the Pronto on COM1 when its trying to communicate with the remote. I don't know if a COM to USB cable would emulate a COM port on the PC or just act as a connection converter.

I imagine it would emulate a COM port, in that it would be something like COM3. Can you not tell the ProntoEdit software to look on another COM port?

Obviously your best option is a built-in COM port on the motherboard but if you cannot get this. I'd look into a USB adapter before a PCI card. I cannot imagine you'll use it too often.

p.s - As well as Eva's advice, you could PM Tom to ask him to reply and also post over on AVForums too.

[IronMonkey]

I highly recommend using Western Digital HDDs.

Nope, I wouldn't touch WD with a barge pole.

I'm going for Hitachi, they're fast, green and reliable. I can also get a lot of money off them as we sell them at work.

There was a time when I would've recommended Seagate as well, but the entirety of their last product line was unreliable with high mass failure rates. This was a big controversy in the IT circles. Google Seagate 7200.11 failure or something.

The Seagate drives I have are the 7200.10 drives from a couple of years back I believe, and I've not had a problem with them. I did hear about the current range being terrible though.

Also in my opinion, the cost to storage space ratio of 10,000RPM drives (eg WD Velociraptor) is too low. Just buy 7200RPM drives and run them in RAID, IF you need the speed.

I wouldn't even think of going for a Velociraptor. I don't need more than 7200rpm to serve media files across my network. Thats just overkill and not necessary. I won't even be using RAID. I have all my files backed up on DVD so if a drive was to fail, I've still got the content.

I don't think RAID is necessary at all for home users.

Because it's an insane amount of disk space but as you must download loads of HD Shows, it probably isn't as much after all. How much does your existing server have?

I have a lot of files that I want to serve from one central location, that are all on DVD at the moment. Having them all stored in one place is just far more convenient than using DVDs.[/quote]

Good work getting a new job, how long were you at Panasonic for?

Thanks. I worked at a small electrical goods business that specialised in Panasonic products, (not directly for Panasonic) for 10 years.

As I'm sure you know, you may have trouble activating it and even if you convince MS to let you activate it, it's unlikely to be fully Genuine any more but I do agree, with W7 on the horizon no way buy another copy of any Windows.

I know, thats one of the pitfalls I'm facing. I could always tell them my old motherboard died and was so out of date that I had to replace everything in the computer. Or I could just make use ofthat spare copy of XP Pro I've got lying around.

I'd probably combine the Main PC and Server into one but then I wouldn't be using the Media Center and Main PC at the same time. I only have one laptop, which is fine for me. I'm seriously thinking about a Netbook but strictly only after W7 is released. I couldn't go back to XP now and Linux doesn't interest me.

I can't combine the main PC and the server because if I'm playing a game or running some other intensive application, I can't stream media to my parents' laptop at the same time. They plug it into their TV (my old plasma) to watch 24 and Prison Break.

My server and main PC are in the dining room and my HTPC is upstairs in my bedroom.

I've considered WMC but every time I use it on my laptop I've found it clunky and unresponsive. If I was going to go down this route I'd likely get some sort of Media box I could plug into my TV direct. Windows is just too complicated for this sort of thing IMO. I've no problem with my laptop being complicated but if I had to use Windows to play DVDs for example, I'd soon get pissed off.

WMC is fine as long as its got enough power behind it. My HTPC works fine and the interface is responsive. Having experienced quite a few media boxes already within my new job (product testing), I can safely say they really haven't cracked it yet. They all have poor interfaces, lack support for common codecs, or just generally don't like media files that don't stick exactly to spec.

If you want a great media player, I recommend an XBox with XBMC, or a Linux box with XBMC. XBMC is open source and regularly updated and plays anything you can throw at it.

I imagine it would emulate a COM port, in that it would be something like COM3. Can you not tell the ProntoEdit software to look on another COM port?

Obviously your best option is a built-in COM port on the motherboard but if you cannot get this. I'd look into a USB adapter before a PCI card. I cannot imagine you'll use it too often.

I've not dug deep enough into the options yet but I doubt its possible. ProntoEdit is old software now.

Why a USB adapter over PCI? I'd prefer to have it built into my PC rather than having a cable stick out the back if possible. Having a native COM port through the PCI slot would also probably have less compatibility problems than a USB converter.

Oh, and as for your earlier question about still using IDE, I was just thinking of chucking the old 40GB IDE drive I've got on my current server into the new one. I don't want to run the OS from the storage drives as I prefer to keep the OS on a separate drive, and I didn't think there was any point in buying a new small SATA drive when the IDE one I have now is perfectly capable of doing the job.

[bradavon]

Nope, I wouldn't touch WD with a barge pole.

I doubt there is any HDD company who is perfect. When I worked for the Police, we had Maxtor drives go down on us almost weekly. Whereas WD were rock solid.

Thanks. I worked at a small electrical goods business that specialised in Panasonic products, (not directly for Panasonic) for 10 years.

10 years, crikey! I could never work anywhere that long but I've know loads of people who have/do. What made you decide to leave?

Or I could just make use ofthat spare copy of XP Pro I've got lying around.

Wouldn't you struggle with XP Home? It's sharing and permissions capabilities are severely lacking (unless you boot into safe mode). Thankfully something they didn't restrict on Vista HP, except they removed Group Policy.

I can't combine the main PC and the server because if I'm playing a game or running some other intensive application, I can't stream media to my parents' laptop at the same time. They plug it into their TV (my old plasma) to watch 24 and Prison Break.

Your parents know how to use this stuff or do you do all the work for them? A mate of mine has a WMC PC behind his TV (all content stored locally), his girlfriend doesn't have a clue how to use it and still records on their VCR. It's dumb as nuts, why he hasn't shown her I'll never know.

My server and main PC are in the dining room and my HTPC is upstairs in my bedroom.

You must have PCs and cabling all over the house .

Having experienced quite a few media boxes already within my new job (product testing), I can safely say they really haven't cracked it yet. They all have poor interfaces, lack support for common codecs, or just generally don't like media files that don't stick exactly to spec.

Agreed. That's been my experience too, mainly going on reviews. The ones which look decent good thousands.

Pioneer's latest range of HDD/DVD Recorders look pretty good. They either have USB or USB/Ethernet to transfer files from a PC but have nowhere near as much space as a PC obviously and I'm pretty sure the DivX/Xvid support is SD only, no HD support. I've also not seen the interface, to see how good it is. I doubt it supports Album Art but it is nice it's an all-in-one solution.

If you want a great media player, I recommend an XBox with XBMC, or a Linux box with XBMC. XBMC is open source and regularly updated and plays anything you can throw at it.

What's the 360s own interface like?

Why a USB adapter over PCI? I'd prefer to have it built into my PC rather than having a cable stick out the back if possible.

Only because I imagine you'd use it so infrequently I'd prefer just plugging it in when I need it.

Having a native COM port through the PCI slot would also probably have less compatibility problems than a USB converter.

I'd say so too.

Oh, and as for your earlier question about still using IDE, I was just thinking of chucking the old 40GB IDE drive I've got on my current server into the new one.

Couldn't you install the OS on one of the TB drives?

[IronMonkey]

Nope, I wouldn't touch WD with a barge pole.

I doubt there is any HDD company who is perfect. When I worked for the Police, we had Maxtor drives go down on us almost weekly. Whereas WD were rock solid.

No, none are perfect, but I have had bad experiences with 3 WD drives in the past. I'll never buy them again. I've had a couple of Maxtor ones that have served me well for years in my old server, and in my main PC & HTPC I have Seagates.

I'll be using Hitachi drives in the new server simply because they're so cheap for me to buy, they have good transfer speeds (better than my Seagates) and they consume less power - ideal for a home server.

10 years, crikey! I could never work anywhere that long but I've know loads of people who have/do. What made you decide to leave?

I didn't decide to leave! The company shut down so I lost my job. Had nearly 6 months of hell trying to find a job (and going slightly nuts in the process ), then got my new job on the 1st April.

I liked my old job but to be honest, it was a bit of a dead end, with no prospects for earning more money or moving up the ladder. At my new job I'm on nearly double the money I used to earn, so the old company closing has done me some good really.

Or I could just make use ofthat spare copy of XP Pro I've got lying around.

Wouldn't you struggle with XP Home? It's sharing and permissions capabilities are severely lacking (unless you boot into safe mode). Thankfully something they didn't restrict on Vista HP, except they removed Group Policy.

I said XP Pro. I do have a genuine XP Home but I've also got a copy of XP Pro which features enough sharing options for a home server.

Your parents know how to use this stuff or do you do all the work for them? A mate of mine has a WMC PC behind his TV (all content stored locally), his girlfriend doesn't have a clue how to use it and still records on their VCR. It's dumb as nuts, why he hasn't shown her I'll never know.

My dad is pretty much clueless but I show my mum how to do things and she usually remembers after a few tries. All she does is open a "folder" on the desktop (actually just a shortcut to my server share) and loads the media files in Windows Media Player. I set up all the codecs and everything else for her.

You must have PCs and cabling all over the house .

Thats not all the equipment I have! I've also got a DMP-BD50, XBox and XBox 360 all running wirelessly on my network. There was no chance of getting any cables in, so I had to go wireless.

What's the 360s own interface like?

I don't use my 360 for media playback as the fans are too noisy. I use my original XBox (soft modded) with XBMC. Its an awesome piece of software.

Only because I imagine you'd use it so infrequently I'd prefer just plugging it in when I need it.

Its surprising how often I do change things on the layout of my remote actually. I thought once I'd got it set the way I wanted it, that would be it. But I often think this bit just needs tweaking here, that bit needs tweaking there, so I use the software quite regularly.

Oh, and as for your earlier question about still using IDE, I was just thinking of chucking the old 40GB IDE drive I've got on my current server into the new one.

Couldn't you install the OS on one of the TB drives?

I could but I don't want to. I'm planning on putting all 3 1TB drives into caddies so that if I need to take some files to my mate's house, I can just pull the drive and take it, rather than copying onto an external drive.

Obviously, I still want the server to be up & running while I'm away, so I want the OS on a separate drive.

Besides, having the OS separate is better for cleaning and reformatting. Imagine having to back up 1TB of files before being able to reformat a drive! :S

[bradavon]

Had nearly 6 months of hell trying to find a job (and going slightly nuts in the process), then got my new job on the 1st April.

I can certainly relate to that one. Being unemployed is one of the most awful situations to be in. So much spare time to think far too much and not do any productive.

All she does is open a "folder" on the desktop (actually just a shortcut to my server share) and loads the media files in Windows Media Player. I set up all the codecs and everything else for her.

I thought you'd give them WMC with a remote to use.

Thats not all the equipment I have! I've also got a DMP-BD50, XBox and XBox 360 all running wirelessly on my network. There was no chance of getting any cables in, so I had to go wireless.

Unless I'm mistaken the DMP-BD50 doesn't have Wireless. Do you use HomePlug for that?

I don't use my 360 for media playback as the fans are too noisy. I use my original XBox (soft modded) with XBMC. Its an awesome piece of software.

The 360 is also a Media Player though right? It's a shame the fan is too noisy.