What to do with old enterprise server?

[SheriffHD]

So, I got given a Dell Power Edge 1850 and it has windows server 2003 installed. 

The only thing ive used it for at the moment is to push alot of air around the apartment as this thing is like a jumbo jet taking off.

 

so, if any one has an idea what the hell I can actually do with this let me know.

[AlwaysFSX]

Turn it in to a NAS or router?

[Enderman]

Sell it on craigslist...?

[dragoon20005]

it a server

 

Install Linux and run VMs or make it a epic Minecraft server 

[ForsakenLive]

Home server

[Owade73]

Sell it on craigslist...?

Sell or repurpose might be the right thing to do 

[SheriffHD]

How can I go about making this thing a dedicated game server?

[Sonefiler]

Dedicated game server, Folding@Home, Boinc, or a really good router

[dragoon20005]

How can I go about making this thing a dedicated game server?

you can check out the Minecraft community forums

 

they have tons of guides to make one

 

or check with other gaming forums

[ygohome]

I'd probably experiment with it for awhile to see what I could use it for anything practical as it is.

 

Then I'd probably try gutting the chassis and see if it would be worth trying to fill it with modern tech.  But it might be mostly proprietary and I'd junk it.

[Tiby]

If you want to do anything decent with it I would put a version of Linux on it (personal taste). Most easy to use and configure is Ubuntu (except the case when it has some exotic LSI RAID controller which I don't think ever came standard on these). Once done you can try well anything you can find on the internet with it from Minecraft server to Bitcoin mining and even some hosting for websites / email. 

Truth is you won't be anywhere to the solutions that are offered by others, but at least it is a starting point.

All you need is patience, ability to learn, resistance to noisy fans (mind you the noisiest desktop fan, except the industrial noctua series is a mere sneeze compared to how servers can sound like) and a place were you should keep it running non stop (this will also increase your electricity bill).

 

I'm in mostly the same situation as you , just that your options are far better considering the hardware. I can get an old PPC system running AIX from my workplace but the amount of stuff you can do with it (besides business critical apps) is nowhere near the ones you can get running on the Edge system.

[flibberdipper]

NAS of course.

[KemoKa]

sell it and use the money to treat yourself to an upgrade or your girlfriend out to dinner.

[Guest]

sell it and use the money to treat yourself to an upgrade or your girlfriend out to dinner.

He could make a Minecraft server out of it and build a house with a table and place a cake on it.

why the heck do you have my post on your sig?

[KemoKa]

He could make a Minecraft server out of it and build a house with a table and place a cake on it.

why the heck do you have my post on your sig?

Because I am keeping an hilarious running gag afloat for you. It's tremendous fun.

[Builder]

Put some UNIX-like OS, maybe a web server on it and learn about servers and UNIX.

[SheriffHD]

Well, The size of it it would be pointless as a NAS as its just to bad big and noisy for such a simple task. Whats makes it moot is I ready have a 4 drive Nas that is a very small form factor and takes up no space at all.
One idea me and flat mate had was to put the thing in an enclosure and bung it in the attic its cool the noise wont leak down and it would be out the way. But so far game server is the one that might be worth while or using it as a webserver. If i were to sell it id be lucky to get £20 for it so the way I see it its better to keep it and make use of it than to sell it. 

[Imaginaerum]

I'd replace the fans first thing if it's too noisy, there's no reason for it to be that loud. After that do whatever you want but maybe consider getting a better PSU if it'll be on 24/7 so your energy bill is less.

Game servers aren't too difficult if you download a supported OS and find a dedicated program for that game then leave it on all the time (or WINE it in Linux or something). You'll have to figure that out for each game, TF2 and Minecraft have slightly different dedicated methods for example.

[Guest]

Because I am keeping an hilarious running gag afloat for you. It's tremendous fun.

Thank you very much...

titan z

[KemoKa]

Thank you very much...

titan z

You are most welcome.

Titan z

[emachado99]

Is it all that safe to run a website/game server from home? I never tried it because I didn't want to take the risk of someone deciding to DDoS the game server because of rage, or someone taking down the site. So if someone decided to do that your internet would slow right the hell down, and your bandwidth would sky rocket..

[Raid]

>NetBurst

Throw it off a bridge.

[Cronus97]

Is it all that safe to run a website/game server from home? I never tried it because I didn't want to take the risk of someone deciding to DDoS the game server because of rage, or someone taking down the site. So if someone decided to do that your internet would slow right the hell down, and your bandwidth would sky rocket..

Most cases of "ddos" are fake, or used as an excuse by server companies during downtime. Plus your public IP changes fairly often.

[emachado99]

Most cases of "ddos" are fake, or used as an excuse by server companies during downtime. Plus your public IP changes fairly often.

With my old ISP, my public IP never changed. 

[Cronus97]

With my old ISP, my public IP never changed.

You can always request a Change