Anyone know anything about servers?

I have decided that I need a server for my office. Essentially, I need to run a PHP database script and to backup all of my computers. What I need your guys help with is whether I should just get a local server, or whether it would be cheaper to go with a web server. My budget is very flexible assuming that it can perform all the below functions.

This is what I would like it to do
Host a PHP database script, that would constantly be receiving and giving data to 4+ computers.
Be able to do a complete backup of 4-5 40gb hard drives at predetermined intervals. (From my preliminary research it would be a lot cheaper to go with the local server if I want 250gb.)
And be able to perform non-intense office tasks such as surfing, word, hudworx, etc.

How would the dual-cpu deal for 1000 from dell do?
How would the new dual-core CPUs do?

Thanx and any help or experiences would be most helpful.

CPU speed isn't going to be a big problem if your database is even half-decent...

I'd be concerned about hard disk speed if you're going to be moving that much data. Honestly you don't need too big or expensive of a box to do what you're talking about.

Moving 200gb of data to a remote server would take a long time even with a ridiculously fast connection. I don't think that its even an option for you...

[quote2e1a10bce7="Admin"]CPU speed isn't going to be a big problem if your database is even half-decent...

I'd be concerned about hard disk speed if you're going to be moving that much data. Honestly you don't need too big or expensive of a box to do what you're talking about.

Moving 200gb of data to a remote server would take a long time even with a ridiculously fast connection. I don't think that its even an option for you...[/quote2e1a10bce7]

thanx for the reply, it is not gonna be that intensive of a db, just basic stuff like name, address, number, etc.

Do you think these specs would fit the features that I mentioned above, if not, please tell me what you think needs to be upgraded
Dell 4700
2.8ghz
512mb of ram
xp home/pro
40gb sata for OS/Programs
250gb SATA partitioned into 6 parts, one for each of the computers, and one for the database.

And I have a program called auto backup which can backup over the LAN at set times, so for example I can backup all of computer 1 to partition A at 10PM, computer 2 to partition B at 1130 PM, etc.

I run (as a toy) an HP webserver with
- 1 ghz Celeron
- 2 gb ram
- 120 gb Hard disk
- 4 LAN ports
- Linux

I have always wanted to run some official stress tests, but it runs and handles some really large dbs and web apps very well.

That box is overkill, most likely, but yeah, it'll work fine...

[quoteb004886f8d="Admin"]That box is overkill, most likely, but yeah, it'll work fine...[/quoteb004886f8d]

ok, so the consensus is, that as long as I get XP networking working properly (which is not always so simple), then I will not have any problem with that setup? Nobody thinks that I might need more ram?

Dell is having sales on on of their server packages, only like 240$ instead of 480$ ish.


look into that mebbe.,,,,,its perfect for small business, or personal site hosting.

you don't need ram to transfer data

heres the info (taken from spoofe Deals)

Dell PowerEdge SC420
1.Go Here http//www1.us.dell.com/content/default.aspx?c=us&cs=04&l=en&s=bsd
2. Scroll down and enter E-Value Code 6W300 sc420-min
3. Change the following -
- Under Memory - Select FREE UPGRADE to 512MB
- Under Primary Hard Drive - Select FREE QUADRUPLE UPGRADE to 160GB
- Under Keyboard - Select Standard Windows Keyboard,Gray
- Under Mouse - Select Logitech PS/2 2-button Mouse with Scroll
Total Price $249 Shipped Free

[quotee853925be9="Lunarpancake"]heres the info (taken from spoofe Deals)

Dell PowerEdge SC420
1.Go Here http//www1.us.dell.com/content/default.aspx?c=us&cs=04&l=en&s=bsd
2. Scroll down and enter E-Value Code 6W300 sc420-min
3. Change the following -
- Under Memory - Select FREE UPGRADE to 512MB
- Under Primary Hard Drive - Select FREE QUADRUPLE UPGRADE to 160GB
- Under Keyboard - Select Standard Windows Keyboard,Gray
- Under Mouse - Select Logitech PS/2 2-button Mouse with Scroll
Total Price $249 Shipped Free[/quotee853925be9]

thanx for the help, that is a decent deal, but compare it to what I plan on getting

$249$450.
Celeron 2.53ghzPentium 4 2.8ghz w/ ht
512mb DDR2512mb DDR2,
160GB SATA drive40gb SATA probably (but I am just gonna buy a 250gb SATA at compusa for like 100 AR and put it in
48X CD driveCDRW
mouse and keyboardsame
no monitor 19" lcd (I may have to settle for a 17")

This is all based on the deal that often pops up, if not I may have to settle for a 17" lcd, as that is virtually always up. If this was purely a server, that would be as awesome deal, but since I am also going to be doing some work on it, it needs these extras, and a 17" or 19" lcd alone would add at least $200 to that price.

oh i was under the impression thiswas goin to be a server only.

also ...i reccomend two raid 1 HD's (mirrored) so that incase one oes down, you have the other.

Unless you need to burn CDs, I'd go with the Celeron. I doubt you'll notice a difference unless you're playing games. Plus the RAM size/speed is the same...

You can pick up a 17" or 19" LCD for pretty cheap, just shop around. Frys had a 19" for like $170 not long ago (I think)

[quote640c115498="Lunarpancake"]also ...i reccomend two raid 1 HD's (mirrored) so that incase one oes down, you have the other.[/quote640c115498]

maybe I'll put the db on a separate hd, that is the only thing I need raided, the other backups are pretty much just in case, they will probably never be needed, so I don't think they really need to be raided.

Don't even touch celeron... for serving, the best from intel is xeon... all you'll need is 512mb ram because you wont be serving any games or memory intensive applications (like heavily populated chatrooms, ect)
dual core is a major plus but i dont think it will affect what you're doing that much, at least noticibly

[quotec2b410094e="Admin"]Unless you need to burn CDs, I'd go with the Celeron. I doubt you'll notice a difference unless you're playing games. Plus the RAM size/speed is the same...

You can pick up a 17" or 19" LCD for pretty cheap, just shop around. Frys had a 19" for like $170 not long ago (I think)[/quotec2b410094e]

I know, but I like the dells, with no rebates. I know I can get a cheap no named brand, but also dell has good financing, and other incentives for me to buy through them. I have spent over 10k there in the past year, and trust me, there are incentives to keep buying through them. So essentially I get a better processor and monitor for 200 more, and the 160gb would do me no better than the a 40gb, b/c I need a 250gb anyways, and I am going to buy that separately. There is also a deal for a dual processor xeon (not dual core), with almost the same specs for 1000, or a dual core for like $880.

Do whatever you want. Fact is, you can run a database with only four users on a 5 year old 450mhz box running linux. Your only question seems to be how much overkill you want...

[quotecf8d151cbb="Admin"]Do whatever you want. Fact is, you can run a database with only four users on a 5 year old 450mhz box running linux. Your only question seems to be how much overkill you want...[/quotecf8d151cbb]

yeah, I know but linux is different, and since I gotta use XP, I was wondering how much extra shit they used up, and also what kind of overhead I needed to be doing this, and running other programs at the same time.

Even a 1ghz box with 256mb ram will do that without a problem.

I've run stripped down installations of xppro on a PI 233 laptop...

Well.......My Apple II has XP 64 edition on it! so THERE!......now i can run reader rabbit 64bit, and Oregon Trail 64bit

Hell YES



...but seriously, XP pro on a 233, damn i wouldnt try xp on anything less then a 1ghz

No visual themes, all the worthless processes/services disabled.

It's really not that bad. Can hardly tell it apart from win2k, though...