I'd like to set up a file server for my home network, and possibly set it up for remote access via VPN as well. Usage would be very light, its just for personal use. Probably the most demanding thing would be playing music and movies off it over the WIFI.

Can anyone advise me on what sort of specs (processor speed, memory etc) would be adequate for this job ? Would it make sense to buy a second hand computer ?

Thanks.

Crushdepth;

Are you ciong to use RAID 5 or 6 ? That will have an influence.

If I was setting up a hope server / vpn, I would use RAID6 sinply to have the redundancy and a bit more reliability, particularly since sidk is getting so cheap.

processor speed is not interesting at all in this usage. I guess everything above 166 MHz can do it.

Memory: Always good to have some in a server. I would put in 512 or 1024.

Harddisk: yes that depends on you, how much memory/safety/speed you need.

Keep in mind, that an old computer might not support the newest hd. If you need either safety or high speed (I don't think you need high speed in a home network, as there won't be many user checking for different files on the same HD) than you need a raid system.

Hope thats a help.

Maybe the best is go in one big store (Lotus/Carefour/Big C) and ask there someone of the specialised staff, hahahahahahahahaha

I'd like to set up a file server for my home network, and possibly set it up for remote access via VPN as well. Usage would be very light, its just for personal use. Probably the most demanding thing would be playing music and movies off it over the WIFI.

Can anyone advise me on what sort of specs (processor speed, memory etc) would be adequate for this job ? Would it make sense to buy a second hand computer ?

Thanks.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Probably no RAID at this stage, its mostly an experimental box to learn so I'm not keen to invest heavily in it. I guess I could just use my PC but I don't like the idea of exposing that to the net until I get a good grip on VPNs.

Would like to learn a bit about Linux, so I am looking at running it on that.

If you're running a linux variant, anything from a 286 upwards will work. If you want fairly good performance, anything from a PII upwards will do the job. I'm currently using a Pentium (586) for my home server, and it's more than adequate.

how are you doing with modern Harddisks on the old mainboard?

I consider to do the same, but affraid from the Linux.

If you're running a linux variant, anything from a 286 upwards will work.  If you want fairly good performance, anything from a PII upwards will do the job.  I'm currently using a Pentium (586) for my home server, and it's more than adequate.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

You should also consider what kind of VPN you are going to use. For example, a product such as Citrix provides ( http://www.citrixonline.com/ ) has min system specs / opsys, dunno what they are off the top of my head. I'm guessing you don't intend to generate VPN on a router or concentrator.

Also suggest that setting up a remote accessed, VPN generating Linux box is quite an advanced project, though it would be the optimal solution.

The OP said a fileserver. For that you not require much internal memory (home use), but it would be nice to have enough storage. All the raid stuff is overkill.

I bought 4 computers in Bangkok Zeer Rangsit. 2nd hand celerons with around 256 kb memory 4-6 gb harddisk. I use them as weberver, sql server, IM server, fileserv, you name it. All at the cost of 3-4000 baht a piece.

One of those is now my fileserver and for that i connected a 160 gb harddisk. The computer was luckily new enough to recognize the hd.

If you are going to set one up, that is what you have to check. Never have enough storage, especially with music and movies.

If you only need remote access you can consider TightVnc. As the name suggests it uses very little memory and cpu cycles. And for your purposes it might be enough.

there is another treat here about Linux on an XBox (if I remember right, the XBox is modified to 300 GB). That idea might be also interesting for you. And it might be a smaller box. As well the option to play Halo 2 on your "server".

I guess True is also using XBoxes as server, at least it would explain my troubles (if the admin plays halo2 on it)