HP ProLiant MicroServer

[SkippyTheSnake]

Hi, I am going to receive a HP ProLiant MicroServer from a friend, I am not 100% sure on the specs however this isn't unlike this: 

http://louwrentius.com/hp-proliant-microserver-n40l-is-a-great-nas-or-router.html

I want to wipe the device so I can use it for my own files.

I am completely new to this kind of computing so I have lots of questions. What kind of purpose could this device serve? I was thinking maybe a small home server where I could back up my files. Could it be used for more than this or is it limited to only that?

Also what kind of software should I be installing onto it? Would it be completely absurd to install a Windows operating system purely because I know Windows the best or would it be a better idea to try and work my way around a dedicated piece of software?

If anyone could give me some advice, give their input/opinions or answer any of these questions I would really appreciate it, thank you

 

[Gofspar]

Load Linux on that bitch and do some webdesign, web hosting, game server hosting, cloud, anything really.

[Shroomster]

First take the time to read and put this in the right sub forum.

[SkippyTheSnake]

Load Linux on that bitch and do some webdesign, web hosting, game server hosting, cloud, anything really.

Awesome, is there any particular distro you would recommend? 

[Gofspar]

Awesome, is there any particular distro you would recommend? 

I like Debian 7 and CentOS 6.x, either will do but I prefer CentOS a little more.

[cox1000]

Ubuntu is easier to get the hang of for beginners, that is if you are currently scared of CLIs.

[Sousuke]

I'm actually deploying one of these as a Domain Controller with Active Directory and a file server for everyones user accounts in a very small IT network (A network which will have a maximum of 12 concurrent users).

[Eniqmatic]

I'm actually deploying one of these as a Domain Controller with Active Directory and a file server for everyones user accounts in a very small IT network (A network which will have a maximum of 12 concurrent users).

 

It's a good start for one of these actually!

[99vw]

You could use this for just about anything really provided it has the specs for the task at hand.

File Server

Web Server

VPN Server

Game Server

Streaming Server

Router/Firewall

 

For the os you can honestly use what ever you want or are comfortable with.

Windows Server

Windows Home server

Something Linux based like Ubuntu, centos7, Debian

Something FreeBSD based like FreeNAS(Perfect for a file server) or pfSense(router/firewall)

[Opcode]

Make a storage box out of it. The CPU isn't probably strong enough to do much else with it.

[Eniqmatic]

Make a storage box out of it. The CPU isn't probably strong enough to do much else with it.

 

You'd be surprised, I run a couple low end VM's on one I have, as well as AD, DHCP, Fileserver and media server. All works perfectly! For around 15 devices so not many but for a home server, perfect!

[Opcode]

You'd be surprised, I run a couple low end VM's on one I have, as well as AD, DHCP, Fileserver and media server. All works perfectly! For around 15 devices so not many but for a home server, perfect!

Me personally, I would just turn it into a little Linux box with Ubuntu desktop on it.

[Eniqmatic]

Me personally, I would just turn it into a little Linux box with Ubuntu desktop on it.

That's what I've got running on one of the VM's! 

[Sousuke]

Make a storage box out of it. The CPU isn't probably strong enough to do much else with it.

 

Actually its a real quick domain server ... for 12 PCs so if you have a small business or charitable organisation then this is a really cost effective way to deploy a domain server!

[Opcode]

Actually its a real quick domain server ... for 12 PCs so if you have a small business or charitable organisation then this is a really cost effective way to deploy a domain server!

Tho who's going to setup a DNS server for home use, it's quite impractical. The only practical solution along them lines would be a squid server. Which would be extremely beneficial if your ISP plan is pay per GB.

[Eniqmatic]

Tho who's going to setup a DNS server for home use, it's quite impractical. The only practical solution along them lines would be a squid server. Which would be extremely beneficial if your ISP plan is pay per GB.

He mentioned before it's for a small business. There isn't any setup to be fair, it's pretty straight forward.

[Opcode]

He mentioned before it's for a small business. There isn't any setup to be fair, it's pretty straight forward.

No where in his OP did I see him stating he's using it for anything other than home use. Personally, I think it would be a great machine for him to learn his way around Linux on (as he stated he's mostly familiar with Windows). I would slap Ubuntu or Linux Mint on it and just use it for toying around with. Possibly even set it up at the desk as a dedicated Linux machine for running all of your personal info through.