Trying to build a functioning server pc

[kishagi]

Hi!

So here I am trying another attempt to build a home server to function mainly as a file server.

So far here is what I am using for the hardware:

AMD Phenom II x4 965
Gigabyte GA-990FXA-UD3 rev.4
Visiontek Red Label Performance EX 8GB(2x4GB) DDR3-2133
Scythe Mugen 3 Rev.B cooler
EVGA GeForce GTX 550ti 2GB
Vantec 6-Port SATA II 150 PCI Host Card w/RAID
OCZ ZS 650W 80 Plus Bronze PSU
Enermax OSTROG w/Window (Modded)
2x Silverstone CFP52B 5.25" to 3.5" Bay Converters
OCZ Agility 3 60GB SSD

Originally I was using a Gigabyte GA-880GM-D2H motherboard but decided to switch because of the 2TB drive capacity limit.

So basically I had Windows 7 Ultimate installed on the ssd but then wiped it to install Windows Server 2008 R2 which turned out to be a major pain especially with the Internet Explorer Enhanced Security.
I had tried to install NAS4Free and FreeNAS, but I can't get them into a graphical OS, just some really long boot sequence stuff. I've tried like 8 times.

I basically want to make something that will store my files and backups, stream content to various devices in my house, function as a HTPC and a backup gaming rig every once in a while. I heard that Server 2008 R2 was better than 2012 R2 in some aspects so that why I chose it as the server's OS.

I intend later to upgrade the CPU to either a Phenom II x6 1090T or an FX-8310 and the GPU to a GeForce GTX 750 Ti (PNY XLR8 OC or EVGA FTW)

So my first question to you is "Did I make the correct decision going for Windows Server 2008 R2 rather than the 2012 version?

[Wtalk2]

Set it up with Ubuntu or Ubuntu Server if you don't need the graphical interface. You can install SAMBA Server for storing you files across the network and Plex for media streaming.

[rockking1379]

Set it up with Ubuntu or Ubuntu Server if you don't need the graphical interface. You can install SAMBA Server for storing you files across the network and Plex for media streaming.

i agree. GUIs are just wasted system resources that otherwise could have been used to help drive other services. i have my server running VMs but all of them are ubuntu based except one which is for space engineers (requires windows). plex is freaking amazing, i use it a lot.

[Wtalk2]

i agree. GUIs are just wasted system resources that otherwise could have been used to help drive other services. i have my server running VMs but all of them are ubuntu based except one which is for space engineers (requires windows). plex is freaking amazing, i use it a lot.

I want to have my server running ESXi and run everything in separate light weight VM's but I only have 2GB of RAM and you need at least 4GB for ESXi so I'm stuck running a headless Ubuntu Server Edition server. But I agree that running without GUI is the way to go.

[rockking1379]

I want to have my server running ESXi and run everything in separate light weight VM's but I only have 2GB of RAM and you need at least 4GB for ESXi so I'm stuck running a headless Ubuntu Server Edition server. But I agree that running without GUI is the way to go.

i have a super ass old poweredge (2900) that i have upped the ram in to 24GB, i dont run on ESXi. i opted for xenserver, been pretty nice to me. some of my VMs are somewhat heavy weights, like MC one has a few gigs to it, web has a few because it also runs the plex server, windows takes the most i think. database vm is like half a gig and doesnt do much lol. but yeah, outside of windows one they are all CLI

[Wtalk2]

i have a super ass old poweredge (2900) that i have upped the ram in to 24GB, i dont run on ESXi. i opted for xenserver, been pretty nice to me. some of my VMs are somewhat heavy weights, like MC one has a few gigs to it, web has a few because it also runs the plex server, windows takes the most i think. database vm is like half a gig and doesnt do much lol. but yeah, outside of windows one they are all CLI

I'm on a old Dell Optiplex 745 with a 1.8GHz Core2Duo with 2GB of RAM and only 2 available SATA ports (Both used). I really want to pick up a old Dell Poweredge or something similar with preferably 2 quad core older Xeon's and at least 16GB of RAM so I can run ESXi (Or XenServer) and keep everything separate in VM's.

[rockking1379]

I'm on a old Dell Optiplex 745 with a 1.8GHz Core2Duo with 2GB of RAM and only 2 available SATA ports (Both used). I really want to pick up a old Dell Poweredge or something similar with preferably 2 quad core older Xeon's and at least 16GB of RAM so I can run ESXi (Or XenServer) and keep everything separate in VM's.

oh dude its a dream. i prefer xen over esxi just because if i had say three systems that were identical i could cluster them without having to pay for expensive licenses. hit up ebay, i got mine from the high school i graduated from lol the guy in charge of the districts tech basically just gave it to me when i graduated as a gift and said have fun. told me i could have it right around my birthday lol

[Wtalk2]

oh dude its a dream. i prefer xen over esxi just because if i had say three systems that were identical i could cluster them without having to pay for expensive licenses. hit up ebay, i got mine from the high school i graduated from lol the guy in charge of the districts tech basically just gave it to me when i graduated as a gift and said have fun. told me i could have it right around my birthday lol

Well hopefully I'll be able to get some kind of license through school but I would love to finally have a real server setup

[rockking1379]

Well hopefully I'll be able to get some kind of license through school but I would love to finally have a real server setup

i know what you mean. its nice having it running, the uni i attend gave me two static IP address to use because somehow i convinced that was a good idea. so i can run pretty much whatever i want within the realm of the law and they dont care long as i dont excessively interfere with bandwidth on campus gotta love those guys, but ive been responsible with it havent gotten in trouble yet. cant say that for one of our csci professors here who had her server hacked and killed networking across the ENTIRE college campus

[kishagi]

Thanks for your input! I really appreciate it. But when you mean without the graphical interface, do you mean just strictly text based input?

[Wtalk2]

Thanks for your input! I really appreciate it. But when you mean without the graphical interface, do you mean just strictly text based input?

Yep Ubuntu Server Edition is essential Ubuntu but without the desktop interface so it's just a command line so yes, only text input.

[rockking1379]

Thanks for your input! I really appreciate it. But when you mean without the graphical interface, do you mean just strictly text based input?

Some people are afraid of it. It's really not that scary. Is it a bit more time consuming? Ehhhh sometimes. But it's nothing to be scared of

[kishagi]

alrighty then ill take a look at it and see if its for me, while configuring Server 2008 some more.