Harddrive performance in a home fileserver.

[Gveto]

Greetings.

This is my first post here at CF so hello to everyone lurking around. Soon, I am going to be building a couple systems for me and my family. It's been at least 4 years since I built computers working at a computer shop. My how things have changed!

My question involves a file / print server that will be used. The machine is a PIII 1Ghz 512MB. The application involves both security and speed. My father will manage files on this machine that are business critical. Also, these files tend to be large (think images) so speed is of the essence when you're waiting to load in Photoshop.

The solution, I believe is to use a PCI HD controller car with RAID. Examining my options leads to my questions regarding speed.

It occurs to me that the overhead of the 100MbS network would annul any speed gained by using higher speed drives and interfaces.

What are your thoughts on this? Does anyone have any numbers pertaining to remote file access times and netowrk overheads?

I guess I'm stuck between cheap IDE components or $$$ SATA 2 controller and HD(s).

Thanks!
Gveto

<edited: typos!>

 

[Gveto]

Since this is also the memory forum, what, if any, performance improvements can be made by upping the RAM to 1G?

The usage of the computer right now is a sporatic file server. (i.e. personal use.)

Thanks!

 

[Archangel]

I'm sorry, but i dont quite get the question,.. You are planning on making a Pc for your dad to work on with Phonoshop, am i right on that?
and it will also be used through network as a data storage server?

 

[Gveto]

I'm sorry, but i dont quite get the question,.. You are planning on making a Pc for your dad to work on with Phonoshop, am i right on that?
and it will also be used through network as a data storage server?

This computer in question will be used only as a file server. The computer already exists, I am modifying to serve the purpose. Mainly, I am adding RAID capability along with several harddrives. (And possilbe more RAM as mentioned above.) The type of files that will be served will be large image files and the like. This will not be used as a desktop machine.

The computers will be network connected via a standard Linksys router (100Mbs). I'm wondering if the network overhead renders the use of high speed harddrives and interfaces (think SATA 2) in the fileserver unneeded. i.e. Do I spring for more a expensive card and harddrives, or since we're deaing with a PIII and home network, will the perforcemance be noticable.

Thanks.

 

[Gveto]

This computer in question will be used only as a file server. The computer already exists, I as modifying to serve the purpose. Mainly, I am added RAID capability along with server harddrives. (And possilbe more RAM as mentioned above.) The type of files that will be served will be large image files and the like. This will not be used as a desktop machine.

The computers will be network connected via a standard Linksys router (100Mbs). I'm wondering if the network overhead renders the use of high speed harddrives and interfaces (think SATA 2) in the fileserver unneeded. i.e. Do I spring for more a expensive card and harddrives, or since we're deaing with a PIII and home network, will the perforcemance be noticable.

Thanks.

Also, I only have PCI interfaces to work with. Will this influence overall speed?

 

[The_Other_One]

A networked server will be more limted by the actual network than the speed for the hard drive interface. If you want more speed, you should invest in higher end networking equipment(assuming your using 100Mbps) rather than faster drives and what not.

 

[Gveto]

A networked server will be more limted by the actual network than the speed for the hard drive interface. If you want more speed, you should invest in higher end networking equipment(assuming your using 100Mbps) rather than faster drives and what not.

Thanks, that was my only question. I don't think I'll be upgrading the network, I just wanted to know that because of the networked situation, I shouldn't spring to more expensive harddrives. Have I got that right?