Internal Server

[KompuKare]

I am sure that it would of course give me experience setting up a server environment. Is there a particular book or reference I should have?

I'd have to recommend Mark Minasi's (plus others) 'Mastering Windows Server 2000/2003/2008'. A really good book, everything is very well explained with not just how but why. The 2000 edition can be had for a couple of quid from online bookshops.

Although I don't do servers, I do run a lot VirtualBox for learning on and armed with that book I build a virtual network. I had Windows Server 2003 domain with and Windows 2000 AS DCs, added lots of clients: Vista, XP, Win98, (even Win3.11), Linux, MacOS (System 8.0 via Basilisk).

Lots of fun and very educational.

 

[norm1320]

cheap option

I only needed a basic file server, so I found a dual-core atom with MB, PSU, and case on EBAY for $78 including shipping. Threw in 2x1TB HDD that I had taken out of my media PC when I upgraded the drives in that to 2x2TB. Installed FreeNAS, and attached it to the network hub. Easy and cheap.

 

[rosswilson]

My Internal Server

Hi,

I run a VMWare ESXi server that is hosting my three virtual machines that I use throughout my day as a technician.

The specs of the server aren't too impressive, but the VM's run fine

8GB RAM, 2.2ghz Dual Core, 320GB HDD.

The three virtual machines that I run are:

1. A WSUS server that I use to cache Microsoft Updates. When a client computer comes in, I make a quick registry change to point the machine at this WSUS server. This *drastically* reduces the time spent downloading updates, and keeps my bandwidth uses low.

This WSUS server weighs in at around 10GB, so I have been known to load it up onto my laptop when going out to a client's site, negating the need to use their (often slow) internet connection to download updates.

My internal knowledge base is also run from here.

2. Domain Controller for my own computers. Mainly to use Group Policy and roaming profiles.

3. An XP Home VM that I use along with snapshots to infect on purpose and then analyse to see what's changed, or just to practise manually removing malware.

Ross

 

[marcink99]

go with dell poweredge t110 Intel® Xeon® X3440 with server 2008.