How to build a Server

[paul88ks]

Has Linus ever done a video on how to build and setup a Server? Or can someone point me in the right direction?

[Dujith]

First question would be: what is your goal with the server? The answer to that will decide what you need to look for / pointed at.

 

[manikyath]

building a server is done in the same way as building a desktop, its just done with slightly different components.

[paul88ks]

Probably an email server. I really just want to learn about the architecture,differences in hardware,software,etc.Cost ,etc. I guess I can always Google it to get started. I've been building computers since 2000 and only recently have been interested in servers-

[manikyath]

1 minute ago, paul88ks said:

the architecture,differences in hardware,software,etc.Cost ,etc.

it runs on the same kind of cpu's

the hardware is essentially the same

the software has "server" in the name

the cost depends on what you buy.

[paul88ks]

I wish Linus would do a series on this topic- if he hasn't already?

[marten.aap2.0]

1 minute ago, paul88ks said:

I wish Linus would do a series on this topic- if he hasn't already?

you can take a look at the server-room videos, maybe that can help you

[paul88ks]

Well I've heard that server CPU'S are different,as in XEON processors,and that RAM is different- EEC vs. non EEC for desktops.and that is about all I know-

[8uhbbhu8]

10 minutes ago, marten.aap2.0 said:

you can take a look at the server-room videos, maybe that can help you

Here's all the vids I can find he did about servers on the main channel

 

https://www.youtube.com/user/LinusTechTips/search?query=Server

 

[marten.aap2.0]

3 minutes ago, paul88ks said:

Well I've heard that server CPU'S are different,as in XEON processors,and that RAM is different- EEC vs. non EEC for desktops.and that is about all I know-

if you use xeon cpu's you also need a server mobo, you can just build a server with 'normal' hardware

[8uhbbhu8]

9 minutes ago, paul88ks said:

Well I've heard that server CPU'S are different,as in XEON processors,and that RAM is different- EEC vs. non EEC for desktops.and that is about all I know-

Here's his TQ vids which will be even more informative and probably explain a lot more to you. Watch them before watching his other server vids

https://www.youtube.com/user/LinusTechTips/search?query=Server

[paul88ks]

2 minutes ago, 8uhbbhu8 said:

Here's his TQ vids which will be even more informative and probably explain a lot more to you. Watch them before watching his other server vids

https://www.youtube.com/user/LinusTechTips/search?query=Server

Thanks for the link- thats a good start!

[Lord Nicoll]

19 minutes ago, paul88ks said:

Thanks for the link- thats a good start!

Oh boy young one, you wish to walk the path of the server nerd? My best advice would be to buy a server from HP (ProLiant), Lenovo(IBM) or Dell (Poweredge), these servers are ready made, if you buy old enough don't cost that much, usually come with advanced features not found (whether not needed or still pretty advanced today) such as intergrated management ports, hot swap features (higher end ones can hotswap CPU's, GPU's and RAM at will)  and generally coming in lovely rackmount chassis. For something that has to be on 100% 24/7, Xeons and ECC don't play a massive role, for systems that are constantly under load, have 16+ DIMMs and CANNOT fail or faulter at all, Xeons, Operons (and now EPYC) and ECC, RAID, and redundant PSUs suddenly become very very sought after. 

[paul88ks]

On 9/7/2017 at 3:02 AM, Lord Nicoll said:

Oh boy young one, you wish to walk the path of the server nerd? My best advice would be to buy a server from HP (ProLiant), Lenovo(IBM) or Dell (Poweredge), these servers are ready made, if you buy old enough don't cost that much, usually come with advanced features not found (whether not needed or still pretty advanced today) such as intergrated management ports, hot swap features (higher end ones can hotswap CPU's, GPU's and RAM at will)  and generally coming in lovely rackmount chassis. For something that has to be on 100% 24/7, Xeons and ECC don't play a massive role, for systems that are constantly under load, have 16+ DIMMs and CANNOT fail or faulter at all, Xeons, Operons (and now EPYC) and ECC, RAID, and redundant PSUs suddenly become very very sought after. 

Haha - well thanks for the compliment,but I am 62 years old. Anyway, after doing quite a bit of reading,and asking questions on some other tech forums,www.bleepingcomputer.com is my favorite, I've determined that what I am looking for is a NAS server,which as you said,can be purchased for relatively low cost at my local computer store. WD has one for 139.00 bucks that will suit my needs. I also run a dual boot Windows/Linux machine where I think Open Media Vault will work as well for the Linux end of it. Either option comes pre- configured mostly,so I don't have to be a rocket scientist to figure it out! Not looking to build a server room here- just something for HOME use!

[Pixel5]

if you are looking for a NAS for home use get something prebuild like a synology NAS, will save you much hassle as its very easy to configure.

[paul88ks]

1 minute ago, Pixel5 said:

if you are looking for a NAS for home use get something prebuild like a synology NAS, will save you much hassle as its very easy to configure.

I looked at Synology. Very good choice,but a little out of my budget right now- I saw one for 169.00 without disks. I haven't made a decision yet- may have to wait a month or two, don't want to buy something I can't scale up later- the better models are 4 to 500 bucks- can't afford right now-

[Lord Nicoll]

6 hours ago, paul88ks said:

Haha - well thanks for the compliment,but I am 62 years old. Anyway, after doing quite a bit of reading,and asking questions on some other tech forums,www.bleepingcomputer.com is my favorite, I've determined that what I am looking for is a NAS server,which as you said,can be purchased for relatively low cost at my local computer store. WD has one for 139.00 bucks that will suit my needs. I also run a dual boot Windows/Linux machine where I think Open Media Vault will work as well for the Linux end of it. Either option comes pre- configured mostly,so I don't have to be a rocket scientist to figure it out! Not looking to build a server room here- just something for HOME use!

If that is your use, just get like a Ryzen 3, maybe ECC RAM (since drives are cached in RAM and there is often no battery backup and such if an error occurs, or turn off drive caching, something like freeNAS will still much prefer ECC, maybe Ryzen Pro, you get some slight extra features too that might be useful) and a RAID card, you'll need a cheapy GPU too, maybe a GT 610. Probably go for a RAID 10 or RAID 6, they're both good options, but RAID 6 will need a better controller, but you get something like 66% of the storage vs just 50%.

 

Age is just a number, and in this case it was biological age, but age in terns of experience with servers, for that, you're probably a new born and I'm a very smart toddler. 

[paul88ks]

9 hours ago, Lord Nicoll said:

If that is your use, just get like a Ryzen 3, maybe ECC RAM (since drives are cached in RAM and there is often no battery backup and such if an error occurs, or turn off drive caching, something like freeNAS will still much prefer ECC, maybe Ryzen Pro, you get some slight extra features too that might be useful) and a RAID card, you'll need a cheapy GPU too, maybe a GT 610. Probably go for a RAID 10 or RAID 6, they're both good options, but RAID 6 will need a better controller, but you get something like 66% of the storage vs just 50%.

 

Age is just a number, and in this case it was biological age, but age in terns of experience with servers, for that, you're probably a new born and I'm a very smart toddler. 

Well Yes- I have absolutely no knowledge about servers- haven't really needed one before now,but looks like I will be learning!