How to build a windows server?

[li0nsar3c00l]

So far, most of the topics I read, where about either about hardware related builds or linux servers.

I want to have a server, that provides a backup cloud/nas, git repo (gitlab, or bitbucket), jira and a home media server.

Right now, I'd like to try something more uncommon: setting up a small windows home server with a linux os in hyper-v. Mostly due to the fact, that I prefer windows and need to host more windows specific applications and only a few linux ones.

Has anyone ever done that? Do tutorials exist for that? And regarding hardware, do you guys use a raid controller or is windows software-based raid controller good enough?

 

Would be nice, if you guys could share some of your experiences. Thanks in advanced!

[FAQBytes]

I run an UnRaid server so that I can have multiple OSes running at the same time. I also have 16 cores, 32 threads to run it on, so I'm really not sacrificing performance (most of the time I'm running on my OS that has 15 cores/30 threads), even when running multiple at the same time.

So in all reality, I can have dedicated OSes with whatever I want running whenever the computer is on as I can specify to have them run at start. The WebGUI is also pretty nice so you can control it anywhere on the same network. 

[TheCherryKing]

You should use an actual RAID controller if possible.

[li0nsar3c00l]

20 hours ago, TheCherryKing said:

You should use an actual RAID controller if possible.

Alright, any specific recommendations?

20 hours ago, FAQBytes said:

I run an UnRaid server so that I can have multiple OSes running at the same time. I also have 16 cores, 32 threads to run it on, so I'm really not sacrificing performance (most of the time I'm running on my OS that has 15 cores/30 threads), even when running multiple at the same time.

So in all reality, I can have dedicated OSes with whatever I want running whenever the computer is on as I can specify to have them run at start. The WebGUI is also pretty nice so you can control it anywhere on the same network. 

Is the WebGUI the only advantage over a windows server with hyper-v?

How does routing to the servers work if i only have one ip?

[Gwersebe]

If you go with Windows Server i would use a raid controller (lsi 9211-8i) is a good choice for basic needs and a good price. But if you decide to go with unraid i would not use a raid card because it does not display disk information properly go with an HBA card. This would be true for something like freenas as well. But as for windows server go to https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/ and sign up for an account go to downloads and then windows server 2016 and you can get an 180 day free trial of hyper-v server to try it out to see if it suits your needs before you invest money into it.

[scottyseng]

33 minutes ago, li0nsar3c00l said:

Alright, any specific recommendations?

I'd recommend the LSI 9260-8i or 9261-8i (get the battery too) if you're on a budget. If new, get the LSI 9361-8i.

 

If you want to go the software RAID route, you can get away with the motherboard ports or an HBA card if you need more ports. Depending on the RAID type, software RAID is good enough and will be cheaper.

[TheCherryKing]

If you get the LSI 9361-8i you can use SAS 12 Gb/s drives!

[li0nsar3c00l]

16 hours ago, Gwersebe said:

If you go with Windows Server i would use a raid controller (lsi 9211-8i) is a good choice for basic needs and a good price. But if you decide to go with unraid i would not use a raid card because it does not display disk information properly go with an HBA card. This would be true for something like freenas as well. But as for windows server go to https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/ and sign up for an account go to downloads and then windows server 2016 and you can get an 180 day free trial of hyper-v server to try it out to see if it suits your needs before you invest money into it.

the windows server 2016 and hyper-v license is no issue, i got a legal key already.

16 hours ago, scottyseng said:

I'd recommend the LSI 9260-8i or 9261-8i (get the battery too) if you're on a budget. If new, get the LSI 9361-8i.

 

If you want to go the software RAID route, you can get away with the motherboard ports or an HBA card if you need more ports. Depending on the RAID type, software RAID is good enough and will be cheaper.

Propably going for RAID 5, doing that software wise seems quite easy.

 

But has anyone done such a setup and can share their experiences?