What Kind of Setup would you need for a Document Server?

Diesal

Diesal

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SO far these are the specs I have in mind:

Intel Core 2 Duo E5700
ASUS P5G41C-M LX
2 GB DDR2 800 (x2)
Samsung DVD Writer
ATX Computer Case + 450W PSu

I don't know what type of Hard drive setup I'd need, thinking 2x500 GB HDDs in Raid 1? But will that setup even support RAID 1?

Also I am not sure if I should run Windows Server 2008, or Just Windows 7 and share the folders or something.

The server is for a school, which will have 4 clients connected to it at any given time, it will store all the school admin stuff and so fourth.

Shot, X
 
Run raid 1 with 2 x 1TB drives, ubuntu server, and SAMBA running for file sharing.
 
The motherboard does not support raid. You wont need Server running for basic file sharing. Win7 file sharing will definitely suffice. Just implement a solid backup plan to maintain the data.
 
Xzib1t said:
SO far these are the specs I have in mind:

Intel Core 2 Duo E5700
ASUS P5G41C-M LX
2 GB DDR2 800 (x2)
Samsung DVD Writer
ATX Computer Case + 450W PSu

I don't know what type of Hard drive setup I'd need, thinking 2x500 GB HDDs in Raid 1? But will that setup even support RAID 1?

Also I am not sure if I should run Windows Server 2008, or Just Windows 7 and share the folders or something.

The server is for a school, which will have 4 clients connected to it at any given time, it will store all the school admin stuff and so fourth.

Shot, X
Click to expand...

HP Microserver + FreeNAS
 
Well so far the basic file sharing is working but it has pitfalls, had to go in today to fix a PC that wouldn't boot and to my surpirse, they had not made backs ups of the data, anyone say recipe for disaster?

I'm just thinking that this would only be for the staff computers as the other PC's are maintained by the deparment of education's IT person who comes around once a week/month (I had a look at the server and its a mess) also it could be a print server and the domain server I think. With that in mind would the HP Microserver still work or would my setup be better.
 
Mier said:
HP Microserver + FreeNAS
Click to expand...

I'd say HP Microserver definitely, it will cope with 10 clients. But FreeNAS can be a pain sometimes!

You could use windows if you feel more comfortable, or if you're going to use sharepoint for version control!
For RAID I'd never use the onboard controller on pretty much any motherboard though, either go hardware RAID controller or linux software RAID.

+1 on the solid backup plan, definitely have at least 3 copies, 1 onsite backup and 1 offsite(or online). Raid doesn't count as a backup.

Xzib1t said:
Well so far the basic file sharing is working but it has pitfalls, had to go in today to fix a PC that wouldn't boot and to my surpirse, they had not made backs ups of the data, anyone say recipe for disaster?

I'm just thinking that this would only be for the staff computers as the other PC's are maintained by the deparment of education's IT person who comes around once a week/month (I had a look at the server and its a mess) also it could be a print server and the domain server I think. With that in mind would the HP Microserver still work or would my setup be better.
Click to expand...
It would still work, depending on the number of users, it should be fine for about 10 PC's or a few more with light usage.
You get a version that comes with WHS 2011 but I wouldn't recommend that for a 'Business' environment like yours ( I could be wrong it might work fine).

If you get SBS or windows server 2008 the software will be your biggest cost in which case I'd recommend getting more powerful hardware in-case you add more users or functions to the machine at a later stage
 
gdiza said:
Make sure, however you set it up, you do backups daily. :)

Especially for documents.
Click to expand...

Make sure, however you set it up, it does backups daily;):D

For documents I'd recommend some kind of version control, as if someone overwrites something and no one notices for a few days it (the wrong file/blank file, whatever) can propagate through all your backups and you'll lose the original
 
Cobian does a nice backup - backs up according to days.
So you can go back daily.

Oh, Cobian is completely free.
 
SomeoneEls said:
Make sure, however you set it up, it does backups daily;):D

For documents I'd recommend some kind of version control, as if someone overwrites something and no one notices for a few days it (the wrong file/blank file, whatever) can propagate through all your backups and you'll lose the original
Click to expand...

For 4 clients that isn't really necessary. You just give people RW access to their own files, and read-only to other people's files.
 
FlatspinZA said:
For 4 clients that isn't really necessary. You just give people RW access to their own files, and read-only to other people's files.
Click to expand...

And if the person writes over their own file? Having multiple versions of documents whether by software implementation or by human can easily save you time when PEBKAC errors occur! And they do occur... often!
 
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