Re: Linux or BSD alternative to Windows Home Server

Douglas Mayne wrote:
On Sun, 02 Sep 2007 22:27:48 +0000, dh003i wrote:

My systems don't have enough memory to worry about whether they are 32 or
64-bit. Some major distributions have versions which have been
precompiled for 64-bit. There is starting to be more interest in 64-bit,
but RAM is a limiting factor for a lot of systems. 32-bit systems have
quite a bit of life remaining, IMO.

I did some research with my server..the processor is 64 bit, but it would run either 32 or 64 bit kernels.

I chose the 32 bit one because

- many 3rd party apps are not available yet in a stable 64 bit port
- the 32 bit code was smaller.
- in many tests the 64 bit code wasn't any faster
- I wanted rock solid performance,and the 32 bit has been around a long time.
- in a file and web server, computaional speed is almost irrelevant: wah is needed is a fast network and disk. 32/64 bit makes sod all difference.




5. One of my foreward-looking concerns is scalability & ability to
upgrade: possibility to upgrade to numerous HD, multiple CPUs, multiple
GPUs, RAM, etc. Thus, my concerns here are the limits in Linux and BSD
on hard-drive space recognizeable, and RAM recognizable.

It would be nice. However, almost every new generation of motherboards
requires wholesale replacement of the CPU, memory, motherboard, and
possibly the case and power supply also. If cost is no object, then the
sky is the limit. Personally, cost is an object for me. I try to keep cost
in check. For example, I have just started upgrading the P-III
architecture boards which I have used up until now. The Intel Core 2
architecture offers a 10x to 100x performance boost. I think I have
probably saved a lot of money waiting for a compelling upgrade. I forsee
that the new Core 2 boards that I am rolling out will have a long life,
too.

I have an old pentium here with a few hundred Mbyte RAM that is capable of serving files as fast as the network can deliver them.


You are a gamer, that takes CPU power. Serving web pages and files does not.

Start thinking professionally, and gear your hardware not to the sexy marketing, but to the requirements of the job in hand.


6. I'm aware that I could probably create scripts to regularly backup
certain files, and use BASH shell commands to specify a schedule for
such; but I was wondering if there were utilities for this. And also,
streaming of photos or video or music to the TV or stereo system? Is
that possible?
Making backups is a big topic in itself. It can be easy, or it can be
relatively complex. People tend to roll out solutions which "fit" their
needs. One solution that I often recommend is to take a snapshot using an
external disk, either to the storage on another network computer, or
directly to an external disk (USB 2.0). I see that a lot of people on
these groups recommend Amanda, and similar programs. The goal of these
programs is to provide a self-booting backup set.


The biggest problem with backups is that the backup media size is now well outstripped by the disk size. You are better off with a twin machine or twin disk setup than hoping to burn a tape once a day as we used to do.

I'd be interested i strategies too.

.

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