Not worth it, but might be possible. You need to run a PE, though, regular Windows (NT) can only boot off an HDD (NTLDR limitations). A PE can also boot off a RAM disk and CD (but not USB). Basically you'll have to use something that can boot off USB, such as Syslinux, to chainload the Windows PE boot sector (might need to do CD emulation) which has an option to load the PE to RAM. You also have the option to use Syslinux to load the image to RAM and then boot it.
ohok. Thanks. Think I will just throw Windows XP pro SP 3 on it. Also I am getting 2 servers both the same and same specs. Both off the same place. Cheap as chips.
tl;dr tbh, XP wont really be the best os for those... You got those for server purposes right? Stick to server OS then. If you want a really good server that brings out what you have in hardware, and doesnt bog it down like Windows does/will, go for some distro of Linux. Personally, I would go with a server installation of Debian or CentOS. Those will give you your moneys worth, XP/server03/08 will not.
Grab the free VMWare Convertor license and convert your SBS install up to a ESXi virtual machine too. You can do that from an existing PC/laptop on your network and upload it after your rebuild. When I last format/reinstalled XP, I P2V'd my local OS, then reformatted, placed my PC on a different IP address, and ran it within VMWare to export all my settings over the network link. Sounds complicated, but it was stupidly easy actually, and it meant I could restore all my settings and apps without missing any
Are there any limitations to be aware of when running within VMware at home? I know there are quite a few caveats when running certain servers within a VM that cause me all sorts of headaches at work, but never really explored using it at home. It is a compelling choice though.
All depends on what your running, what your exposing and whats already exposed at your home. Personally Network Security > anything else. VMware server might be a good VM option for running the more hard core stuff(ie, personal expierence has taught me that installing WHS/WinServer2008 on VMware Workstation is painfully slow when compared to VMware Server...)
Thanks dudes. Just had a look on bit-tech at the 2 things about building your own server. Looks not to hard. Just 1 q? i have is If I was to run a Linux OS how easy is it to open and share Windows files? I have only ever tryed out Freespire. Linspire and freespire http://www.linspire.com/ http://www.freespire.org/
I know I'm late to the party, but my two pence; I asked the same question to a friend of mine some years ago when we had an HP ProLiant ML350 G3 kicking around. He said if I was used to using Windows, go with a Windows server install, if I used Linux, go 'nix. We went Server 2003. IIr it's easy enough to map drives to a Windows install (tools > map network drive) for file sharing, and Windows file permissions ain't that difficult to set up. If you're looking to run a website, either go 2003 or later as workstation versions of IIS are pretty limited, or if you really want to use XP, install Apache.
It's very easy. Just follow Glider's instructions for setting up Samba and your Windows client PCs will see 'shares' from the Linux server as if they were on a Windows server.
If your using Windows Server 2003 or 2008, then its pretty much point and click to set up networked directories. Under linux, its a little bit more configuration, but to me that has more options. Linux you also get NFS and/or Samba.
If you can get a cheap copy of 2003 server use that if you don't have much experience with linux you can setup FTP, RDP and file sharing all very easily. My server i use at home runs Gentoo, very powerful but steep learning curve from windows especially if you plan to run shell only.
If you have a PC totally free to do whatever you want with, then 100% recommend you use ESX 3.5i. If you're looking to screw around as an aside to your regular OS, I'd recommend VMWare server. Both are free to use I echo the sentiments about VMWare workstation etc... VMWare server and ESXi are your more robust server virtualisation products whereas workstation/viewer are designed as desktop apps where it appears directly on app window on your desktop. With server/esxi you'd use remote desktop or VNC or SSH to connect as if it was another machine on your network (although you do get a console viewer int he apps). ESXi is a baremetal hypervisor, in that it replaces your local OS. Also known as a type I. VMWare server is a type II hypervisor, in that it runs atop a host OS itself.
I'll have to do some experimenting, probably with Hyper-V too. I don't really want it for anything in particular, just playing
Professionally I'd avoid Hyper-V like the plague having had to work with MS Virtual Server 2005 lol Thank god they're all on ESX now. I think Hyper-V requires Intel VT / AMD-V in the CPU to work. For playing around and learning what does what, well there's a huge number of em out there. VMWare, MS Hyper-V (and the older virtual server/virtual PC product line) and XenServer are the big names, but there's tons that do anything from full baremetal virtualisation ESX style through to VPS style shared Linux kernel operating system "instances" and all of em do something slightly different to each other.
Yeah, hyper-V requires VT and EMT64 on Intel, not sure about AMD requirements, but most Hyper-V Windows server stuff Ive seen is only Itanium-based, which is 1) not for the faint of heart, 2) not for home use, unless your home is MS HQ. Personally, I would go with a linux distro over windows, but thats my personal preference. But what ever you do, I would seriously recommend installing some form of SSH/SSL and VNC to do remote administraton. Really easy to set up and really worth it, especially if your away from home and have the right things set up(DNS,DynDNS, etc...), you can access it from anywhere.
the 2nd server. got it today. I have the other one setup on my desk ready to install a os. God that these things are bloody monsters and heavy. 25kg's each. dont think my desk will be able to handle putting another server on it lol. going to have to work out a new spot in my room for them both. Started both of them up at the same time and it sounds like to big turbos winding up. and when powering down the servers it takes ages to wind down.
Sounds like you might need to get a little 10U transport rack to mount them in The upside to that is you can also get a rack mount switch and a rack mounted power bar and tidy it all up good and proper, or if you get a full 10U rack with sides and stuff, it'll also keep the noise in somewhat
Yeh. need sumthing to hols them both and hold a router and gear. yeh also keep cables tidy. Ok I found that dell only has drivers for the server for. Red Hat Linux Windows server 2003 Windows 2000 Solaris I found this: http://www.techsoup.net.nz/node/25
