Home server madness

[ZachClarke15]

Hello all,

 

 

I've been toying with the idea of a central server for all of my families computers and laptops that acts as a NAS but has added features like a central data base from either expensive programs or programs that are useful for multiple computer without having to download them individually and paying 3 or 4 times because of the licence. For my server I will be using basic hardware to test to see if the concept works:

 

Want to do with the system:

- access it from anywhere

- restrict different pc's with the amount of storage that they can use

- have a central program data base

- run a software to check all incoming data for viruses etc.

- run other programs like servers for games

 

 

Hardware:

 

Mobo: Asus Micro ATX (cheapest on the market for my chip set)

CPU: AMD 6350 

CPU Cooling: Corsair closed loop watercooling

RAM: 16Gb Corsair vengeance 1600MHz

PSU: 500w evga 

SSD: Kingston 30 Gb

HDD's: 2 x 4Tb Seagate enterprise 

Case: Coolermaster Elite Mini tower

 

 

Questions:

 

What OS do you think I need?

How would I remote desktop the server when on a different network?

How would I restrict storage?

How to create a central program data base?

What and how to run a anti virus software on all incoming data?

What would you change for hardware wise?

 

 

Thank you 

[Buizel10]

1 minute ago, ZachClarke15 said:

Hello all,

 

 

I've been toying with the idea of a central server for all of my families computers and laptops that acts as a NAS but has added features like a central data base from either expensive programs or programs that are useful for multiple computer without having to download them individually and paying 3 or 4 times because of the licence. For my server I will be using basic hardware to test to see if the concept works:

 

Want to do with the system:

- access it from anywhere

- restrict different pc's with the amount of storage that they can use

- have a central program data base

- run a software to check all incoming data for viruses etc.

- run other programs like servers for games

 

 

Hardware:

 

Mobo: Asus Micro ATX (cheapest on the market for my chip set)

CPU: AMD 6350 

CPU Cooling: Corsair closed loop watercooling

RAM: 16Gb Corsair vengeance 1600MHz

PSU: 500w evga 

SSD: Kingston 30 Gb

HDD's: 2 x 4Tb Seagate enterprise 

Case: Coolermaster Elite Mini tower

 

 

Questions:

 

What OS do you think I need?

How would I remote desktop the server when on a different network?

How would I restrict storage?

How to create a central program data base?

What and how to run a anti virus software on all incoming data?

What would you change for hardware wise?

 

 

Thank you 

1 thing I know - use Linux

Most professional servers use Linux so you dont need anti-virus but you do need firewalls\

 

Hardware from this to a used Xeon build from the 5000 series LGA 771 or LGA 1366.

Thats meant to run 24/7 without crashing

[ZachClarke15]

Quote

Just now, Buizel10 said:

Hardware from this to a used Xeon build from the 5000 series LGA 771 or LGA 1366.

Thats meant to run 24/7 without crashing

 

If I had the money I would but this as concept so if this works it will go into a full scale server build with Xeon. (I'm just using parts laying around) 

[Buizel10]

1 minute ago, ZachClarke15 said:

If I had the money I would but this as concept so if this works it will go into a full scale server build with Xeon. (I'm just using parts laying around) 

What do you have and need to buy

[ZachClarke15]

Quote

Just now, Buizel10 said:

What do you have and need to buy

 

I  only need to buy the SSD and the HDDS

[Buizel10]

Just now, ZachClarke15 said:

I  only need to buy the SSD and the HDDS

They this will be fine.

I would use an Linux Server Distro, such as Ubuntu or Fedora, etc

Professionals use them, and they are free

 

Fedora: https://getfedora.org/en/server/download/

Ubuntu: http://www.ubuntu.com/download/server

[ZachClarke15]

Quote

7 minutes ago, Buizel10 said:

I would use an Linux Server Distro, such as Ubuntu or Fedora, etc

Professionals use them, and they are free

 

Will i be able to configure them to do:

Quote

20 minutes ago, ZachClarke15 said:

Want to do with the system:

- access it from anywhere

- restrict different pc's with the amount of storage that they can use

- have a central program data base

- run a software to check all incoming data for viruses etc.

- run other programs like servers for games

 

 

[ZachClarke15]

Quote

5 minutes ago, Secondmineboy said:

The following OSes are good for server use:

 

CentOS (used by big guns like Avast, ProtonMail,etc.)

Debian

OpenSUSE

Ubuntu

Windows Server may be an option, in that case you can use Avasts free Business Cloud Antivirus

 

You can also try out unRAID

Thanks but am I able to do all the stuff I want to do with these OSes?

Quote

9 minutes ago, ZachClarke15 said:

Want to do with the system:

- access it from anywhere

- restrict different pc's with the amount of storage that they can use

- have a central program data base

- run a software to check all incoming data for viruses etc.

- run other programs like servers for games

 

 

[ZachClarke15]

Quote

3 minutes ago, Secondmineboy said:

Especially due to Game server use i would tend to Windows Server, about 880 US-Dollars for the Standard version, but i would wait until Server 2016 is out.

 

AV-Software on Linux isnt as good as Windows, best go for ESET in case you choose Linux.

 

Access from anywhere can be done via Remote-Desktop or TeamViewer, maybe also AnyDesk.

 

Harddrive restrictions should be possible in Windows Server, but im not sure.

 

For program database i really dont know.

This is very helpful thank you. I'll have a look at windows server may use an older version to save money in the short term. 

 

[leadeater]

1 hour ago, ZachClarke15 said:

-snip-

Your better off running a hypervisor like ESXi or Hyper-V then running the OS that best suites the task. Also note Windows Server Standard allows you to run 2 virtual copies from the single license so the cost is lower than it appears. You can also step down to Windows Server Essentials.

 

When you go with the full build either run unRAID and use it's native capabilites for the NAS workload or passthrough an HBA (LSI 9211-IT) to a VM running something like FreeNAS or Windows Server (using Windows Storage Spaces).

 

The inbuilt Windows anti-virus, formally Security Essentials, is much better than anyone seems to be aware of, paying for anything is just a waste of money. Turn on active file system scanning and configure Windows firewall correctly and that is all you will need. Microsoft's Forefront Endpoint Protection which is an enterprise central managed anti-virus product uses the same engine and virus definitions.

 

More details on the central program data base would help? Not sure what you actually mean or want.

 

For game servers use Linux where the option is available.

[brwainer]

7 hours ago, leadeater said:

Your better off running a hypervisor like ESXi or Hyper-V then running the OS that best suites the task. Also note Windows Server Standard allows you to run 2 virtual copies from the single license so the cost is lower than it appears. You can also step down to Windows Server Essentials.

 

When you go with the full build either run unRAID and use it's native capabilites for the NAS workload or passthrough an HBA (LSI 9211-IT) to a VM running something like FreeNAS or Windows Server (using Windows Storage Spaces).

 

The inbuilt Windows anti-virus, formally Security Essentials, is much better than anyone seems to be aware of, paying for anything is just a waste of money. Turn on active file system scanning and configure Windows firewall correctly and that is all you will need. Microsoft's Forefront Endpoint Protection which is an enterprise central managed anti-virus product uses the same engine and virus definitions.

 

More details on the central program data base would help? Not sure what you actually mean or want.

 

For game servers use Linux where the option is available.

Windows Server versions older than 2016 do not have any builtin antivirus.

[leadeater]

2 hours ago, brwainer said:

Windows Server versions older than 2016 do not have any builtin antivirus.

Thanks, forgot they didn't. Been running FEP for so long now just so used to having something there.

 

Also just for informational sake running an AV on a network storage server isn't really that effective, catching it at the origin endpoint is much more reliable and easier. At work we ended up disabling Trend Micro AV scanning on our Netapps since it was ineffective and caused more problems that it was worth.