buying first dedcated server, ever :)

**Lashtal** · 07-22-2009, 08:54 AM

I am looking to purchase my own web-server for in-house use.

Ideally, I would like a *UNIX server with about 160GB on the hard disk, and about 1024 MB memory.

something in that range.

Who have you bought servers from in the past, what companies would you recommend, and what books would you recommend I dive straight in to either before or after purchasing said server?

Thanks tons,
Lashtal

**Lashtal** · 07-22-2009, 07:22 PM

But I don't want to host with a company, I want to buy my own web-server silly

**damien_ls** · 07-23-2009, 06:48 AM

HP have some cheap tower servers recently (assume you'd want tower rather than rackmount?)... Both HP and Dell (potentially Supermicro too) are worth checking to find the right server for your needs. As for where to buy it from that would depend on where in the world you're based.

However, what exactly are you looking to do with this server? E.g. is it for development, hosting some internal application, hosting websites from home/office etc.?

**twhdir** · 07-23-2009, 09:10 PM

It is possible to get a dedicated server at your home. You will need a few things.

- Faster Internet Connection
- Dedicated IP addresses
- Gateway configured
- CentOS 5 (free) - Apache, MySQL, Bind, MailMan or PostFix or Exim
- Any Free control Panel to manage websites

And the most important, your server should be online 24/7. you can not turn it off.

**rahahm33** · 07-23-2009, 09:34 PM

u should probably learn / be comfortable with linux before spending heaps of money on a dedicated server. play around with a cheap VPS beforehand to get comfortable with the operating system and how it works.

**Lashtal** · 07-24-2009, 08:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by damien_ls

...hosting websites from home/office etc.?

yes, my own and clients'

I'm quite sure I don't want to host with anybody else, and that I want my own hardware. (and I don't mind putting the money into it either)

I have plans to expand, so i'm thinking rack servers would be recommended over towers for space-conserving purposes.

a few more suggestions regarding who I should buy from exactly, and if location matters I am located in the greater Portland, OR area, U.S.A.

Thank you guys, and I figured i'd ask here first so I don't get scammed!

**Lashtal** · 07-24-2009, 08:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rahahm33

u should probably learn / be comfortable with linux before spending heaps of money on a dedicated server. play around with a cheap VPS beforehand to get comfortable with the operating system and how it works.

good advice, i'm sure. But i'm intent on housing the hardware myself

**wayfarer07** · 07-24-2009, 10:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rahahm33

spending heaps of money on a dedicated server.

Heaps of money? A server as described that is meant to go on a rack is less expensive than a PC. We're talking about a single computer here, with only a Gig of memory. Buy it a part at a time and build it yourself. It will be easy. We're talking like $600.00 for something decent. Linux + Apache is free or close to free depending on whose package you use.

**nerbonne** · 07-26-2009, 04:08 PM

I have three Linux servers in my house that backup all my dedicated servers.

I suggest buying a very inexpensive computer, loading Linux, and all the other required software. Get that working first, and then go for the real thing. There is actually a fair bit of work involved in getting a web server setup for home use.

Also, you may run into roadblocks depending on your ISP. Do you have enough bandwith (do they limit monthly traffic?). Do they block port 25 for sending mail? Etc...

**Lashtal** · 07-27-2009, 11:13 AM

wayfarer07 + nerbonne =

what sites/companies would you recommend I buy from?

**wayfarer07** · 07-27-2009, 12:02 PM

Like I said, the cheapest way will be to assemble it yourself. Server parts are mostly the same as what goes into everyday computers. I would start by reading motherboard and power supply reviews here: http://www.tomshardware.com.

**Lashtal** · 07-28-2009, 12:30 PM

I don't know how to build a computer, or a server for that matter. But I have been looking at Dell.com, also some good bulk deals on CraigsList.

**MDwebdev85** · 07-28-2009, 11:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lashtal

I don't know how to build a computer, or a server for that matter. But I have been looking at Dell.com, also some good bulk deals on CraigsList.

hello, don't mean to jump into the middle of this thread, but if you don't know much about the physical aspect of Networking/Harware or Server peripherals, I think you should re-think your decision. You stated above, that you were planning on expanding, rack mount servers etc etc. There are a lot of factors that go into doing something like this. Depending on how much you want to buy you are going to need:

Servers
Software
Racks
Physical media - cabling etc etc
Backbone provider
dedicated IP's
Increased air flow & A/C
UPS setup
Reliable & Continious Power Supply
Fire suppression
Storage (what type will you use? disk on the server? SAN?)

Remember - for each server you pay to power - you pay to cool as well. These are things you would need to do something like this correctly, not to mention if you don't have much experience with it, you will need to pay someone who does. I'm not sure what kind of funds you have, but I believe (and this is my opinion) if you want to break away from your current online web host to host everything yourself, it should be done correctly.

How much data are you going to be hosting? You have to remember, if something get messed up, it's "solely" on you. You have to make sure your network & server(s) are secure and redundant. I would never ever recommend someone hosting in their own environment with production data with just one server. There's absolutely no redundancy there. If that server goes down...so does everything that's on it potentially costing business.Yes there are people who host on their own "one" server that havent had any problems...but that is very risky. Depending on how much business you have, you have to ask yourself if your business can afford that. There are a lot of things that should be though out before doing something like this and I hope you take some of these thoughts & questions I have into consideration. I would hate to see something bad happen. Good luck with your project!

**mgraphic** · 07-29-2009, 12:06 AM

We just bought a server ourselves, found a good HP server for $700 on eBay - It had used to be a lease to another company. It works great!

**Dave@Hivelociy** · 07-29-2009, 12:17 AM

the server can pretty much take care of itself, go with supermicro hardware, motherboard, cpu, ram, chasis (with power supply) and a hard drive. For backup get a RAID 1 with a replicated hard drive bought above and you're done. Get a good switch with snmp and setup a small cacti server and have the server report everything, monitor system service like apache, cpu overlaods etc. If you really want to get into it go out and but a cpanel license or another control panel to easily setup your sites and monitor performance. If you really need help setting something up contact a hosting company and enlist the help of a tech to get you setup and take care of any possible foreseeable disasters. You can get a dynamic DNS service (google it) and the router that you have should be able to keep a heartbeat with the DNS service and if your cable modem pulls a new ip then your dyn-dns service instantly updates and propagates everything and your set. If you need any help setting it up then there are plenty of people here to help, This is more than doable...

**Envision_frodo** · 07-29-2009, 06:57 PM

SurplusComputers.com - Crazy Cheap 1U Servers

**NCNBNT** · 07-31-2009, 09:08 PM

Try leaseweb.com or Rapidswitch.com