Topic: Please help with system config

[joisey04]

Hello, Hello!

I started planning my "perfect" network and I'd like some advice as if the SME server as a whole or as a part is right for me.

Since I want to realize everything with low power consumption I was thinking of mini-ITX boards for all the servers, stuff them in 19' housings and in a small rack together with a UPS and storage. The only thing using a lot of power will be the RAID array, but that I need. I want to go away from all the different USB and dedicated NAS drives flying around right now. At this stage I'm also not sure, if I should put every service on a dedicated server (keep i mind: mini-itx) or go with one big system and maybe VMware. I personally like the idea of having dedicated machines but maybe there are arguments for a different solution.
Main clients are Mac's and going forward also linux frontends.

This is what I'm planning:

File-Server:
Hosting all my files, like it says. Needs to be reliable and will run 24/7. RAID 5 or 6

Mailserver:
Standard mail server; nothing special; usable from inside and outside.
Dedicated server?
Question here is: where do I store the database? on the main file server?

Webserver:
I'd like to have a web presence as well as an intranet. Do I need two servers for security reasons?? Where do I store the database? (MySQL,..)

Mediaserver:
Server to provide and stream media over the network. Storage location of the media?? dedicated server (MPD, Jinzora)???

PVR Server:
Server with a couple of PVR cards to stream TV to different frontends; due to the hardware requirements this is probably a dedicated server

Backup:
I have not found a solution for conv. and safe and affordable backup. Any ideas here? Tape?

I'd appreciate any advice as on how I can realize this network best. Things  like a common user management would be cool, but I want to stay with linux. I'm not going the MS route since this needs to stay a low cost project!!!


Thanks a lot!
J

[mercyh]

File-Server:
Hosting all my files, like it says. Needs to be reliable and will run 24/7. RAID 5 or 6

Mailserver:
Standard mail server; nothing special; usable from inside and outside.
Dedicated server?
Question here is: where do I store the database? on the main file server?

Webserver:
I'd like to have a web presence as well as an intranet. Do I need two servers for security reasons?? Where do I store the database? (MySQL,..)

All the above plus possibly the media server are handled very well by a single SME. The SME can also act as the gateway/router for your LAN. Macs and Linux workstations will present a challenge. I would guess that 95% or higher of the workstations behind SME are Windows.

Backup:
I have not found a solution for conv. and safe and affordable backup. Any ideas here? Tape?

There are several very stable and and affordable solutions for this including, Backup to workstation share, Backup to Tape, USB (which I personally do not recommend because of mounting issues, although they can be overcome), and a second dedicated server that can "rise" to replace the production server in a very short amount of time.

You do not mention the number of clients but if you have less then 30 I would see no need for more then 1 server for the above applications.