SERVER

[RAMADHANI MWAKAJE]

Generally what Characterisicts distinguishes a Server computer from a normal computer ( Desk top )

[YODA74]

The main difference between buying a server and using any PC is hardware. Servers usually come loaded with a lot more power and storage space than the typical PC. Regular PC's also come furnished with a lot of software unnecessary for running a Netware network, and they generally do not allow the necessary upgrading for expansion as your network grows. This anything like you want

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YODA74@windows-sucks.com

CCMR (http://www.dreamwater.net/tech/yoda74/index.html)

[RAMADHANI MWAKAJE]

My main interest was to find out if it is possible to change Desktop computer into a server. If the answer is yes then what are the necessary accessories required.

[YODA74]

First thing would be are some components
Cpu
Motherboard Compatible with CPU
DRAM Compatible with Motherboard
Case in same form factor as Motherboard
Pair of Network Cards (Or one Network Card and one Modem if you're still using a Dial-up ISP)
Cheap Video Card (It's not like you'll ACTUALLY be playing a game from this thing)
Big Hard Drive(s) and/or RAID Controller for Hard Drive(s) (the bigger and faster the setup, the better, but stay within your budget)
Floppy Drive
CD-ROM (Needed to install OS from)
__________________________________________________ _________________________

The choices are unlimited as for what you'll need it is basically just a pc
But If you have extensive background in networking you are set to go.
Operating System Choice and Installation
(NT or Windows 2000 advanced server or something along that line)
Client Computer Configuration
Get a Internet Domain Name?
Set up your Server as an FTP server?
Set up your Server as an Internet Web Server ?
Set up your Server as a File/Print Server ?



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YODA74@windows-sucks.com

CCMR (http://www.dreamwater.net/tech/yoda74/index.html)

[Jacko]

Like what as been said - it all depends. For instance, a normal desktop PC nowadays is powerful enough for most requirements of any server - taking into account the size of the network of course! Theres less room to upgrade, and there maybe subtle differences (access speeds for instance).

Its probably not advisable to actually go out and buy a normal PC for the sole intention of using as a server - unless you're really really sure its the right decission. But as far a turning an existing (fairly new) PC into a server, it could cut costs dramatically!

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Memory Upgrade?

[Bogart101]

it is possible to change Desktop computer into a server?


yah, its possible. but it really depends on the site of your network. in a typical LAN with 10 to 20 clients. desktop PC work just fine when you make it as a server. just came out with hardware compatabilty for whatever NOS you're using.

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[/QUOTE]
Their never been a good war nor a bad peace
[QUOTE]

[RKBA]

Fast Internet access (like a T1 or fractional T1 line) with a static IP address and 99.9% uptime.

Though it's probably possible to run a server on a dial up, Cable, or ADSL line, it would be inadvisable because of the slow download speeds to your site visitors. I've even ran across a couple of sites that were apparently using an analog modem as their connection, because their download speed was consistently 56Kbps (Yawn!). ADSL and Cable modems are impractical because upload speeds from your computer to the outside world are usually MUCH slower than download speeds to your computer, but to site visitors the download speed they see is actually the upload speed from your computer. For example, my ADSL has 1.5Mbps download to my computer, but only 128Kbps upload - not much faster than analog dialup. That and the fact that I don't want to share my bandwidth with site visitors is why I haven't tried running server software on my own PC.

Theoretically, it's possible to run a server on a line with a dynamic IP address assigned via DHCP by using a service like No-IP.com (http://www.no-ip.com/) that propagates your new IP address to Internet DNS servers every time it changes, but in practice I doubt it would work very well since it takes awhile to get propagated. Anyone had any experience with this?

-- Ron

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Centerfire (http://home.pacbell.net/rsdotson/) ‘‘The natural progress of things is for liberty to yield and government to gain ground.’’ -- Thomas Jefferson

[Ghost_Hacker]

You can run a “Server” PC on most small networks with no problems.
The big difference between a pc server and a “true” server is redundancy.
With a “true” server you’ll have things like 2 power supplies and hot swappable SCSI hard drives so that if a hardware problem arises you can fix the server without powering it off. But for most small networks this isn’t really that important. (it's not really the size of the network that matters but the type of service or data the server is "serving".) "True" servers will also have faster hardware as mentioned before.

The only real rule as to what is a server and what isn't, is the OS the box is running. If it can run the OS and do what you want then it's a good server for your needs.


If you plan to offer “web” services of some sort you’ll want to look at the type of speeds your ISP connection can run at and what type of services your offering. Unless you want to manage your server yourself or simply want to cut cost, a web hosting service may be a better way to go.

Good Luck http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/smile.gif




[This message has been edited by Ghost_Hacker (edited 04-17-2002).]

[RAMADHANI MWAKAJE]

THANK YOU ALL FOR THE REPLIES. NOW I HAVE COME TO UNDERSTAND THAT IT IS POSSIBLE TO USE A DESK TOP COMPUTER AS A SERVER USING THE RIGHT ACCESSORIES.
SO PLEASE ADVISE ME I HAVE A PC WITH INTEL PENTIUM III - 1000MHZ,128 MB RAM, 20GB HARD DRIVE,10/100 NET WORK CARD,56 Kbps Fax Modem,52x CD ROM DRIVE AND CD WRITER. TO START WITH WHICH ITEMS ISHOULD ACQUIRE.

[RKBA]

Do you plan on running you server on the Internet or only on a small Local Area Network (LAN)?

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Centerfire (http://home.pacbell.net/rsdotson/) "The natural progress of things is for liberty to yield and government to gain ground." -- Thomas Jefferson