Building A Home Server Part II

November 12th, 2007 • Related • Filed Under

Foxconn Case

I was bored yesterday, so I spent some time buying components for my Home Server. I set myself a budget of Â£250 for the system and I ended up spending just over Â£130 which I’m very happy with. Here are the components I purchased:

Case: Foxconn TLM397 Â£28 (pictured above)

I went for this case as it had a lot of expansion slots (2x 5.25 External Bays, 2x 3.5 External Bays and 4x 3.5 Internal Bays) so there’s plenty of space for internal HDDs and external drives. It also has a 360W PSU which will be more than enough power as I won’t be running a graphics card. I didn’t need anything sexy as I’m going to stick the box behind my sofa. I just hope the fans are quiet…

Motherboard: Foxconn 6150BK8MC-KRSHN2 Â£60

I spent a bit more on the motherboard than I would have liked, but I was determined to get a micro ATX motherboard with Gigabit LAN for lots of streaming capacity and also one with 4 SATA II sockets. I also wanted a Socket 939 so I could use some of the ram in the study PC which has 4GB of RAM which is overkill.

CPU: AMD 64 x2 4200+ Â£45

After doing some reading on various Windows Home Server forums I decided to go for a dual core CPU as apparently the single core machines are ok for backup and file transfer, but struggle with streaming multiple HD graphics files. I went for the 4200+ as it was only Â£12 more than the 3800+. It’s the same CPU as I have in my main machine (HTPC has a 4600+) so I know it’s more than powerful enough.

Memory: 2×1GB DDR400 Free

Will take 2GB out of my main PC which doesn’t need 4GB anymore (I don’t think it ever did!)

HDD: 2×750 SATA II drives and 1TB Lacie External HDD - Free

‘Borrowing’ from HTPC. I have a 400GB in the study PC which is unused which will replace these drives. Hopefully the prices of 1TB drives will come down by the time I need one.

OS: Windows Home Server - Free

I’ll be starting with the 120 day demo. I’m hoping that I’ll be able to get a full version out of Microsoft for free.

Overall I’ve specified a very powerful machine, which will definitely last a very long time. It’s probably got too much power, but for only Â£130 I’m not going to lose any sleepless nights over the cost. I really think I’ve built a system for the future, that will power my home for at least 5 years, maybe even more.

The bits should all arrive this week so I’ll let you know in part III how I get on with the construction. Hopefully I’ll have everything working smoothly before I go to see my parents over Christmas, so that I can test out the remote access to the full.

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About the Author

Everton is based in London and has worked in the internet and mobile space for over ten years now, and before that worked in corporate strategy and consulting. He has a degree in Economics from Cambridge University, and currently runs the Portal and online operations for one of the largest ISPs in the UK. He also writes for Windows 7 News.

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There Are 60 Responses So Far. »

#1

Comment by John Motson on 12 November 2007:

Wow, a nice setup you got there, and got it for quite a cheap price too.

Are you going to host this blog on that server? Or is that just for playing around?
#2

Comment by Micah on 12 November 2007:

That sounds like it’ll make a nice setup. How are you planning on getting MS Home Server for free…writing a review? Expansion slots are very necessary in the computer world, too much stuff changes quickly.
#3

Comment by Everton on 12 November 2007:

@John

I hadn’t considered hosting my blog. My upstream is too slow to do that I think. But I might look into getting a better connection as I’m sure I can get a fast enough one for less than $200 per month

@Micah

Yes, I’ll contact Microsoft and ask for a review copy.
#4

Comment by keikun17 on 12 November 2007:

why dont you guys try making a rented dedicated game-server and put it up for rent. the demand for dedicated servers today are high because of the influx of online and FPS games.
#5

Comment by John Motson on 12 November 2007:

Fair enough.

I always worry about doing something like that. As in, I won’t be able to provide myself with enough security and guarantee of uptime as a professional hosting server would.
#6

Comment by John Motson on 12 November 2007:

By the way, you have a bug in your system… when I comment, I get a huge execption
#7

Comment by John Motson on 12 November 2007:

This is the exception…

I then click back, then hit submit again, then I get the normal “This is duplicate content”. Thought I’d let you know.

WordPress database error: [Table 'connecte_wrdp1.wp_post2cat' doesn't exist]
SELECT YEAR(post_date) AS `year`, MONTH(post_date) AS `month`, category_id FROM wp_posts INNER JOIN wp_post2cat ON (wp_posts.ID = wp_post2cat.post_id) WHERE post_date > 0 AND category_id 4 AND category_id 69 AND category_id 70 AND category_id 103 AND category_id 81 AND category_id 82 AND category_id 84 AND category_id 85 AND category_id 86 AND category_id 92 AND category_id 93 AND category_id 98 AND category_id 102 AND category_id 100 AND category_id 104 AND category_id 105 AND ID = 2881 ORDER By post_date DESC

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#8

Comment by Sergio on 12 November 2007:

@ john motson:
it was happening yesterday to me too..
#9

Comment by Joseph Plazo on 12 November 2007:

It happens all the time. I think it’s the cataloguing system foundering.
#10

Comment by James on 13 November 2007:

Amazing price, I am going to try and find the same config in spain and see how it workd out.
#11

Comment by Harishankar on 13 November 2007:

I too got this error when posting comment using my Firefox browser

WordPress database error: [Table 'connecte_wrdp1.wp_post2cat' doesn't exist]
SELECT YEAR(post_date) AS `year`, MONTH(post_date) AS `month`, category_id FROM wp_posts INNER JOIN wp_post2cat ON (wp_posts.ID = wp_post2cat.post_id) WHERE post_date > 0 AND category_id 4 AND category_id 69 AND category_id 70 AND category_id 103 AND category_id 81 AND category_id 82 AND category_id 84 AND category_id 85 AND category_id 86 AND category_id 92 AND category_id 93 AND category_id 98 AND category_id 102 AND category_id 100 AND category_id 104 AND category_id 105 AND ID = 2882 ORDER By post_date DESC

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#12

Comment by Shashank on 13 November 2007:

wow building a home server sounds a great idea
And good luck for the free server software from Microsoft .
#13

Comment by Harishankar on 13 November 2007:

But why do you wait for MS to make things free while you still have the sweet Ubuntu Linux… I have it at home PC, Office server and work computer.
#14

Comment by Everton on 13 November 2007:

I have no experience of using Linux. Plus gaining personal experience of mass market services is more suited to my day job and also the majority of readers of this blog. It’s why I very rarely use the word ‘Linux’ on this blog - do a search and you’ll see!
#15

Comment by Harishankar on 13 November 2007:

yeah, I accept. should be less than 1% of your visitors who use linux. I just moved to linux recently before 2 weeks. Just for the sake of trying it and a few suggestion more over it suites my day job. Ofcourse I have one MS powered pc at home for gaming.

But I was suggesting Linux for the server which would be stable,.
#16

Comment by Everton on 13 November 2007:

I want to get first-hand experience of WHS. If it doesn’t do what I need, I will build a simple linux based NAS server
#17

Comment by Harishankar on 14 November 2007:

WHS will work extremely well for any server and we were using it here in our office. It gives you the simplest interface to do just anything and that any Windows user with little knowledge in networking can do it without pain. But only problem is the amount they charge for it. And Linux is always pain for initial setup, but works almost 100% stable for years with no charges. This is what I have learnt from my server setup here in my office. Anyway I am not against MS, I still accept they rule.
#18

Comment by TechPark on 18 November 2007:

Interesting. Will be waiting for your next update on this…
#19

Pingback by Building A Home Server Part III | Connected Internet on 20 November 2007:

[...] the bits I purchased for my Home Server turned up last week. I didn’t manage to put them all together until last night, as things [...]
#20

Pingback by Got An Old PC Lying Around? Build A NAS Server With NASLite-2 | Connected Internet on 21 November 2007:

[...] the Home Server I’ve been building. My original plan was to install Windows Home Server on my Â£130 home server, but because the WHS trial disc was taking a while to arrive, I thought I’d try installing a [...]
#21

Comment by Ian on 2 December 2007:

Hi guys

Trying to submit to forum but got the same message as others above. Thn on re-submitting I get the duplicate message!

What am I doing wrong?

Ian
#22

Comment by Ian on 2 December 2007:

Hi guys

Don’t know if this is the right forum but being new to the principles of file servers I wondered if I could post a few questions before I go ahead in building a home file server.

I have 2 desktops, one laptop & laser printer (with NIC) currently networked to a 10/100 ADSL network router (Linksys). The PCs all run Windows XP Pro.

To upgrade the network to Gigabit 1000kbps I just place an order for a new 8 port Gigabit switch & some replacement cables - CAT5 to CAT 6. All PCs’ NICs are capable of being configured for full duplex Gigabit speeds. Once installed, hopefully I’m going to be impressed with lightning file transfer speeds.

Phase 2 is to research (that’s what I’m currently doing) building a dedicated file server to enable central storage of large database & video edited files amongst others. The main purpose here is to be able to centrally administer the data, possibly go down the RAID mirroring route &/or centrally backup/archive files. Plus the fact that I simply want to do it as a project for fun - does that mean I’m a geek?!

Questions:

On the file server I’ll be installing windows XP Pro (I know it’s probably a little OTT but I have 1 unused license available so might as well use it). How will I gain access to the file server, ie. see the file server’s OS on my desktop’s monitor (unless I have to I’m not planning to connect a dedicated monitor, mouse & keyboard to the file server)? Is this done via some remote access function within XP? Or can I gain access via an IP address? Or what?

What things should I consider for backup processes, ie. RAID? Does XP’s backup utility allow you to configure auto scheduled backups?

I appreciate a file server can be built from very basic PC parts & I do want to keep the cost down but I do very much like the idea of those server tower cases that have 4 x 3.5″ external bays with slide out HDD facility & hinged door at front of the case - any recommendations on such cases available to order?

Finally, I’m very unclear as to what motherboard/chipset/CPU & RAM is suitable to build the file server to achieve best performance for file data transfer over a gigabit LAN??? As a non expert I wouldn’t have thought that the hardware components of the file server need to be highly spec’d to achieve my goal but I’m concerned I may have missed something in my thinking. Any recommendation would be appreciated.

Re all of the above are my ideas on how to go about building a file server on track?

Any advice you can offer me in building a file server would be very much appreciated.

Thanks
#23

Comment by Ian on 2 December 2007:

Ooops, apologies to all. When I submitted my comment I got an header error message so I re-submitted then got the duplication error message - did this a few times as I didn’t see my comment appear on the thread.

Then I noticed there was a page 2! So now I’m a stupid geek!
#24

Comment by Everton on 2 December 2007:

@ian

I’m getting some comment errors since I upgraded to WP 2.3 I don’t know how to fix.

I think installing XP is OTT and NasLite will do the job you need. You don’t need a powerful PC - anything old PC should be sufficient. You will only need a better CPU if you are doing multiple things at a time.
#25

Comment by Ian on 2 December 2007:

Hi Everton

The reason I was thinking of installing XP is I don’t have to buy another OS plus I’m quite nervous about using any other OS as I’ve only ever used Windows & am not familiar with Linux, NasLite or any other alternatives.

Is NasLite freeware?

Although I waffled on a bit in my 1st posting my main current issue is wrapping my head round how I access (see) the file server’s OS in order to be able to control/administer the HDDs on the server, ie. defrag, backups, etc. Can you or anyone help me visualise how this works.

Cheers

ps. I’m familiar with XP’s remote access over the net - quite often remotely log onto the father-in-laws PC to get him out of a jam, yeah, he’s even thicker than me! Do you use the same process to gain access to the file server’s OS or is there a better way, ie. via an IP address? Or am I completely muddled in my thinking on this subject?
#26

Comment by Everton on 2 December 2007:

naslite costs $30. It doesn’t have an inbuilt RAS feature, but it can be accessed with a bit of tweaking with ports or a VPN
#27

Comment by Smackall on 3 December 2007:

VPN should be the best for you
#28

Comment by Ian on 3 December 2007:

Unfamiliar with VPN. Have googled it & the descriptions for use seem to be for large organisations that need connections to LANs from other geographical locations.

I simply want to gain acces to the file server’s OS as an administrator for carrying out all the usual HDD management tasks from within my home LAN. Actually, by co-incidence, the file server will be sat right next to my own desktop PC.

Of course I need security on the LAN but only for protection from the net as my ADSL router will be connected to the LAN. I don’t need any user security on the LAN in the home as it’s only me & the dear wife that will be connected to the LAN.

Is VPN still the best route for me to RAS & can anyone give me a brief summary as how you go about setting it up. If not VPN then what other simpler but effective ways are there to manage the file server?

Thanks again guys.
#29

Comment by Smackall on 3 December 2007:

No VPN is not the one you can choose. Coz VPN is for accessing from outside your LAN. And in your case you need to install VNC server or telnet in the file server. It depends on the OS you put in the file server
#30

Comment by Ian on 3 December 2007:

Thanks for guiding me down the right route - did look as though the VPN route way way OTT for what I need.

Having researched OSs suitable for file servers NasLite 2 USB seems to fit the bill well so I might well gone down this route rather than the more resource hungry XP Pro.

Is the VNC Server appliction only for Windows OSs or will this work alongside Naslite? The same question for Telnet.

Just to confirm (I’m a little slow), both VNC & Telnet will let me remotely see the file server’s OS from my desktop’s monitor - yeah?

Thanks for your input, I think I’m slowly getting there!
#31

Comment by Ian on 3 December 2007:

Sorry, just googled telnet & now realise it’s not an application but more of a protocol. Will I be able to set up a telnet with Naslite 2 USB?

Cheers
#32

Comment by Everton on 3 December 2007:

@Ian

Yes-that’s how I manage my installation.
#33

Comment by Ian on 3 December 2007:

@ Everton (or is it Liverpool?!)

So you run Naslite & utilise the telnet protocol for RAS - yeah?

Is it difficult to set up?
#34

Comment by Everton on 3 December 2007:

@Ian

Doddle to setup. Just read the manual and download a client like Putty
#35

Comment by Smackall on 4 December 2007:

Naslite is based on linux and would definitely support these protocols. Or you will need to install VNC server or Telnet server on it. Then on the windows site Putty will do good for Telnet and VNC client for windows will do good for VNC. Both are free and they let you to see the interface on your Wondows end. telnet is for CUI and vnc for GUI. I am not sure vnc also supports CUI. but I feel it should be.
#36

Comment by Ian on 4 December 2007:

Thanks guys for sticking in there with me - I’m slowly getting there (I think).

So I can run Naslite (installed on the file server) as the OS which has built in file management facilities. I can run a remote session using puTTY which will enable me to see (GUI window) & control Naslite installed on the server - yeah?

I’ve downloaded puTTY. I’ve opened the application & had a go (to test) at starting a remote session to access another PC on my LAN but receive a connection refuse message. This is where I’ve got stuck - remember I’m no where near as advanced as you guys!

I presume the remote session initiation is maybe being blocked by a firewall. If so, I’m note sure whether it’s my Linksys router blocking the session or whether it’s my software firewall (not windows but Norton Antivirus which has built in firewall). I’ve tried all the different protocols available (raw/telnet/rlogin/ssh) but all get refused. puTTY defaults to port 22.

Not very familiar with ports & their numbers or how to go about changing firewall settings so not to block my remote session initiations??? Also, does the remote PC have to be configured to give permission to be accessed & if so, what settings do I have to change on that PC?

Any help would be very much appreiated - it’s great having a couple of mentors!

Cheers
#37

Comment by Smackall on 4 December 2007:

Putty is the client software for windows that can connect you to the telnet server on the NASlite. So your NASlite has to be configured for telnet and then from windows you need to use putty with the ip address and port to get connected to NASlite interface.
#38

Comment by Ian on 4 December 2007:

Thanks Smackall, much clearer now.

I haven’t yet built the file server so I was just testing puTTY from my PC to one of the wife’s PCs, both running XP Pro. Presumably, therefore I need to configure the wife’s PC for telnet - how do I do that?

Even when that’s done, am I likely to run into firewall issues?

At this rate I’ll be monopolising a new page 3 as well as page 2 on this thread!

Did tell you I’m a novice (hopefully, quick learning one!)

By the way, I notice a lot of your replies are in the middle of the night, so presumably, you’re either the otherside of the planet to the UK, you’re a long suffering night shift worker or you’re like me, a long suffering insomniac! Which is it?
#39

Comment by Ian on 4 December 2007:

Here I go again - just had a thought, when I eventually get a puTTY remote session working will I see the remote PCs OS GUI (the wife’s desktop) or does puTTY only give me a black screen like DOS or what you guys call CLI?

I’m one of those users who’s takes his mouse to bed - I hate keyboard commands!
#40

Comment by Smackall on 4 December 2007:

-> Ian
Putty is for telnet which is basically for a Unix based OS. For windows you might better try Remote Desktop which comes as default in XP pro. Putty give you only keyboard interface, so you will need to take your keyboard as well to you bed until you configure your file server. And Naslite doesnt seem to have a GUI interface. Might be a ftp server if should help you, but I am not sure if ftp is supported in NASLite.

I am from India (+5:30 Zone)
#41

Comment by Ian on 4 December 2007:

Delighted to learn you don’t suffer from amnesia! By the way, Indian food is my absolute favourite, English food’s so boring!

Thanks for your response, my head is beginning (I think) to grasp the basics.

I’m familiar with Windows Remote Access facility but on this occasion I was trying to emulate a remote session to see what appears on the client monitor, ie. I was expecting to see the XP OS on the host PC but I can’t get past puTTY’s connection error message.

From what you say it looks as though testing a connection between 2 XP PCs is no good using puTTY.

Befor I go ahead & purchase Naslite can you confirm or otherwise whether Naslite has a GUI interface & that puTTY will allow me to see it (the GUI). Or do they both only utilise CLI?

If the answer is CLI then have you any recommendation on the best method of remotely accessing (only across my LAN) the file server where I get to see a GUI so I can use my favourite pet mouse. I appreciate I could use XP on the file server but presumably I would need a reasonable spec’d server as XP is a little resource hungary.

I wish my Hindi was as good as your English!

It’s nearly lunchtime here & I’ve got a sudden craving for Takka Dhall, Sag Peneer, Chicken Madras & a Stuffed Paratha, not forgetting the Keema Rice
#42

Comment by Smackall on 4 December 2007:

For xp to xp remote access, you can also install VNC server and client for windows.

Meanwhile, I am not sure if we have GUI for NASlite as it is meant to be lite. May be you need to check if NASLite allows you a web interface for file access.

Ah, you know a lot about my location. And I am here in Chennai (city). I hope you are somewhere here around.
#43

Comment by Everton on 4 December 2007:

you can’t manage NASlite via HTTP but you can access the files via a browser. This thread would have been ideal for the forum - will get that working again once the main theme is completed.
#44

Comment by Ian on 4 December 2007:

@ Smackall - only my stomach knows about your location! Not sure where Chennai is but will have a look for it on Google map. I’m at Lincoln in the UK. Don’t know what we all did before the www came along!

Anyway, back to my sharp learning curve - never thought the answer was in the Naslite title “lite”. I’m now going back to my original thought of installing the spare licensed copy of XP on the file server (when I’ve built it) & gaining remote access by either XP’s own remote access facility or running VNC. I’ll just have to make sure that the file server’s spec is up to handling XP Pro.

@Evereton - I’m sorry if I’ve taken over this thread with all my questions but you guys have been most helpful in raising my understanding of the issues involved in remote access for LANs

@ both of you - one final (I hope) question if I may - have you guys got any suggestions as to the bare minum spec of hardware for a file server running XP Pro that won’t frustrate the user (me) on waiting times. Don’t want to shell out loads of money on components that aren’t neccessary. What CPU/RAM do you think is the bare minimum?
#45

Comment by Everton on 4 December 2007:

@Ian

I wasn’t complaining-leave as many comments as you like!!!

In terms of spec you just need something that can run XP comfortably. But I would seriously consider setting up a NAS server as the spec is much lower and managing the server remotely is much easier e.g. no hassles with creating directories, moving files, access permissions etc
#46

Comment by Smackall on 5 December 2007:

When you really dont often use the interface of the OS, I am sure a linux based OS does the best. Moreover its Virus free. Even if your xp gets affected by any virus, the files are still safe in case of Naslite, But when you have Xp as file server, the virus is still happy to affect it.

And I think you can map the drive into your xp machines, that will show as another drive in xp machine. This is what we do with our linux server here.
#47

Comment by Insomniac (Ian) on 5 December 2007:

@ Everton

Pleased to hear that you feel I haven’t taken over this thread - thanx for that.

Not sure what you mean in your reply. I am setting up a NAS server, it’s my file server. Were you referring to Naslite & other CLI OSs?

The bottom line is, I’m insistent (I’m a middle aged guy stuck in his ways!) that the file server’s OS has a GUI as I’m not happy with using CLI. Is there any non hungry resource GUI OS designed for file administration out there or is my only option XP?

@ Smackall

Just read your response - mapping the remote drives on the client machine , now that’s an interesting one - when they’re mapped will I be able to execute my system management program (System Suite) to maintain/defrag, etc. the mapped network drives?

At the moment System Suite only recognises local drives, does mapping con the system in thinking the remote drives are local? If so, this may well be my answer as I wouldn’t have much need to remote access the file server.
#48

Comment by Smackall on 5 December 2007:

You cannot do the defrag on a remote drive.
#49

Comment by Insomniac (Ian) on 5 December 2007:

So how do you defrag a remote drive when the file server has no monitor/keyboard/mouse attached to activate a defrag?

So mapping really just let’s you copy/paste/save files onto what looks like virtual drives - yeah?
#50

Comment by Smackall on 5 December 2007:

I dont know if we have defrag option for ext3 file formats in unix based OSs. But I have never used it in linux.

yes, it just maps as a virtual drive.
#51

Comment by Insomniac (Ian) on 5 December 2007:

Unless I’ve missed something I don’t see the point of mapping as I can create shortcuts on my desktop of shared files/folders residing on the LAN. Having said that it could be useful to see an entire drive.

Think I now understand why when I google I never see many results re disk management over a LAN as it looks to me that many non Windows OSs don’t have the same issues (like defragging) as Windows does. The reason defragging was an important issue for me is I do a lot of large file size video rendering which needs a well defragged drive.

I think to wind this up, if I’ve understood everything OK, then if I opt to go the Naslite route then I’ll have to get used to CLI but it would have the benefit of utilising an old Pentium 2 PC as it’s not resource hungry. Or I opt to go for the heavy weight XP with a GUI that I’m very familiar with but will probably need to upgrade to a better spec’d motherboard/CPU with more RAM.

I’m very grateful for all your input (& Everton), I’ve learned a lot about LANs & NAS over the past few days.

Not sure whether you celebrate Xmas but if you do, have a good one!

Grateful Ian
#52

Comment by Smackall on 5 December 2007:

not only resource hunger, but it’ll need a good firewall, anti virus, Etc to keep it safe. And it all about money now… if you wanna hold your mouse then go for xp but if you are not ok with spending this much for OS and its safety then you can go for NASlite of linux server.
#53

Comment by (Ian) on 5 December 2007:

I know I said about winding this thread up but you’ve tempted me with another question - firewalls. I’ve never understood the difference between what I call a software firewall Vs a hardware firewall, ie. Linksys router & Windows or Norton’s firewall.

Can you explain this & do you believe I’ll be pretty well protected having net access via my firewall protected Linksy ASDL router & Norton installed on the file server’s OS disk?
#54

Comment by Smackall on 6 December 2007:

Firewal is the either a piece of software that is a part of the OS or a piece of hardware which protects your network from the public network. It denied requests for connection with any untrusted machine outside your network.

Hardware firewalls are better in some cases as they are hard to hack in. But software firewall often gets hacked as the environment they work can be easily changed.

An XP machine well updated with latest updated, and with Norton Antivirus updated daily should work good
#55

Comment by Insomniac (Ian) on 6 December 2007:

Thanx Smackall.

I know everyone’s tried hard to convert me to the likes of Naslite but I think I’ll be going down the XP route for the server - I’m a lot more familiar & confident handling XP & remote access.

By the way, my Gigabit Lan stuff arrived yesterday. Installation was a breeze & now PCs are communicating on the LAN at 1000 Gigabit utilising the new switch & CAT 6 cables. Did a few data transfer tests between PCs & looks as though file transfer speeds are roughly double to that of my previous 100 fast ethernet - would you say this is about right or do you suggest any tweaks for further speed improvement?
#56

Comment by Insomniac (Ian) on 6 December 2007:

Oops - when I said roughly double I meant to say they’ve roughly halved.
#57

Pingback by Windows Home Server Review | Connected Internet on 9 December 2007:

[...] month I completed the first step in solving my problem by building a cheap home server running NASLite-2 that would hold all my files that could be accessed around my home. This worked [...]
#58

Pingback by HP Announces Low Cost Media Vault Servers | Connected Internet on 4 January 2008:

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#59

Comment by mosey on 5 January 2008:

Love you for this post! I’ve never built a homeserver, but with a price under 150 I think I’m tempted! My cost will probably be a bit more, since I will actually have to purchase the hard drives in question as well as the RAM. Still, thank you for breaking down the prices and step-by-step, as this is the sort of content that is really lacking (particularly for those in the UK) on the web imho!
#60

Pingback by Build A Windows Home Server For $400 | Connected Internet on 26 May 2008:

[...] all of this comes at a cost, then this guide proves that you can build a WHS for around $400. My WHS cost even less as I cannabilised parts from other PCs. All of my files now sit on the server and [...]