Topic: Home Network - What processor to run it

[laurie_lewis]

After reading a few posts recently discussing the various configurations being used to run SME I was hoping for some opinions to assist me in future development of my home network.

I purchased myself a second hand server running dual 733 intel processors with SCSI drives etc to run Windows 2000 server share my printers etc etc.  Alas this was before I knew of SME server.  So I have this large box that is noisy and very hot. I have version 6 of SME and I am using it to run email for 7 accounts, to have home directories and shared directories to allow common access to music (60 gigs) and video files (200 gigs) as well as running twonkyvision media server.  My intention was also to use the content filtering for internet access but I have found that this does not provide me with enough protection for the kids.  -  OK that is what I wanted it for - BTW runing on a 100 mbit network with ADSL internet access (512 thinking of upgrading to 1500).  Also went and purchased a print server for the network so I could move my noisy box away - major problem.

The network has 5 other computers on it as well as my PnP media server.  - All can be going at once in this house but that is not the norm.

I don't think this kind of setup is what you would call BIG.  My question is what kind of processing power do you need to effectively run this kind of setup?  

I have found SME to be very easy to set up and run with no linux experience at all.  I have no problems with my current setup but my issues are - Power consumption and noise.  The ability to run SME on a low power consumption mini-itx system would be great but would this have the GRUNT to do everything when everyone wants access?

I have not looked into it yet but the ability to integrate a home security system with video monitoring into SME is probably my next point of call but I don't think a mini - itx would have the grunt required for this.

Any opinions thoughts etc greatly appreciated.

Thanks

Laurie

[djhomeless]

I use a Via Mini-ITX board for my home server and have found it to be more than fast for the occasion. While I am not using my box to be a squid, proxy, or firewall; it is hosting a variety of services including email, file serving, and web hosting. The email does use ClamAV and SpamAssasin with a few RBL so it in theory is doing quite a lot on a day to day basis.

I had similar requirements you do, I needed something that was quiet, but had enough power to get the job done. Its now sitting in a closet in my kitchen and my wife doesn't even know its there its so quiet.

You may want to go beefier, but just for reference here are my specs:

Travla C158 case - (this case has a small fan but I disabled it)
Via ME 6000 fanless board
512 MB RAM
Seagate Barracuda 160 GB IDE[/list]

I'm just now in the process of migrating my domains onto the box, but I have to admit I am so far impressed by the performance with the server.

Good Luck,

Geoffrey

[avery]

Hi Laurie,

I agree with the prevoius post.  A Via based system should have more than enough horsepower.  I recently upgraded to a Via M10000 based system with 256Mb RAM, and it just ticks over at 1-2% CPU for all the email, spam, virus, file serving stuff  .... etc for 4 family PCs.  So unless Twonky uses loads of CPU you should be OK....  The CPU does max out for 2hours sfter midnight, when it virus scans 100Gb = data, but as were asleep I've never noticed.

For reference my prevoius server (which was bought for £10), ran SME 5 > 5.6 for two years without problems on:
- Pentium 133
- 64mb Ram
This used to max out for 6 hours every night virus scanning 13Gb.

Now that's inpressive use of system resources!  Well done Mitel/SME!   Less £ on PCs' and elecie = more more £ for  

Cheers   Andy

[azche24]

Hi, Laurie,

I purchased myself a second hand server running dual 733 intel processors with SCSI drives etc to run Windows 2000 server share my printers etc etc.  
Thanks Laurie

I am running a P III 350 MHZ with 512 MB RAM at Home (3 Users, but heavy traffic) and a 800 MHZ PIII at office 5-7 Users even more traffic.

That is enough. You should stick with  > 512 MB RAM or you will suffer CLAMAV and SPAM-ASS problems. Via C3 is ok also (the Power-Consumption does not go so much over a P III).

But i am downgrading HDs now. The office Server has to 18 GB IBM SCSI Drives in RAID 1 on an old Mylex Controller and that is ugly (hot and loud).

[laurie_lewis]

Thanks for the replies.  I am very interested in the itx server aspect especially after looking at this little beauty: http://www.mini-itx.com/projects.asp#project0099

I am thinking that the server I bought for home is just TOO BIG and NOISY.  Also has a Myliex SCSI RAID controller so yes it is hot.  We learn from our mistakes though.

With the Via motherboards are you able to achieve all the power savings under SME, I have never looked at this.  How well does it go with going into suspend mode and then waking up on lan etc.

The Travla C158 case only has a 120W power supply running to it.  If I was to put a via motherboard into an old ATX case with a 230W power supply so that it can run multiple hard drives am I going to get any REAL cost savings on power.  I know I can set the drives to spin down under the power settings but does SME override this?

While we are on home networks - what are the advantages of running your internet connection through the server anyway rather than straight through a router/gateway (billion/Dlink etc).  I know I can track where people have been and put some restrictions on but as far as protecting my kids the software does not seem to do much?  With ADSL links what advantages do you get with a mail server for home use?  SPAMAssasin indicates what spam I get but still sends it to me I just don't have to identify it now.  I ask these questions as with only 1 pci card available - do I use it for a 2nd network card of a further ide/sata card to run more hard drives.  (I am just waiting for someone to tell me to buy bigger drives but I want to use my existing drives until they go to heaven)

I can see the advantages of roaming profiles and file serving but apart from playing to learn what benefits to a home user do all the other features bring.  At work - no arguments.

I am being a bit hard nosed here trying to see exactly what it is that I should have on the server before making any further decisions.  I have already made my mistake.

Thanks

Laurie

[wsmeurope]

I'm interrested to buy a mini-itx PC to run SME but I want to be sure SME install is OK. What about drivers for the motheboard included twin Lan ports.

Let me know your experience. Thanks

[laurie_lewis]

Hi,

I had no problems running SME on a Mini-ITX board (1000Mhz).  I have not tried it with a board which had two inbuild lan ports but it ran fine with the one lan port and another lan card in the pci slot.

It seemed to do everything I wanted from a home network but recently the lan port threw the towel in so I have gone back to my electricity chewing / room heating purpose built server.

Laurie

[wsmeurope]

Thanks Laurie I appreciate your comments.


Christian