Building first server!

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pbracing33b

Member
Hello,

I was looking to build a server that I will be able to use for my home, office and possibly sell space to others as needed, plus to be able to do some of my own hosting for my websites (this is the primary reason for building a server too). I want to use 2 tb hard drives this I know, I was thinking about using a dual processor set up, but I am not sure if that is something that is needed right now, I want it to be fast too, I want a good amount of ram, not sure if 16 gig of ram is enough or not. I plan on using a raid controller. I'm clueless about what software to use, bc I don't only want to use it for home use I want to be able to sell storage as well, or host websites for other people. Power supply is a ? mark, case is just that a case, nothing fancy needed here. Also not sure what kind of processor I would need, I know more cores is better, but when you do that price goes up too. So I'm not sure which would suit my needs.

Any tips or tricks would be greatly appreciated, also my budget I would say is between 1-2 grand more if needed. But really I think I can get a good startup with that much, I would like to expand in the future as well.

Any help that is given would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
 
If you're gonna be running this from home, you're not gonna be able to host websites well unless you have a static IP address and have a fast upload and download speed.
 
pbracing33b said:
Hello,

I want to be able to sell storage as well, or host websites for other people.
Click to expand...
You better check with your ISP since I think you will be in violation of their Terms of Service.
Bandwidth is expensive also.

As for a server look to Craigslist or eBay for a good used server.
You will get far more for less than building.
 
I don't think you will be able to mix both business and home let alone hosting all on the same server.

Plus you will need to have a static IP and a very fast internet connection for site accessibility. As well you will need to have a fail-over in case your primary ISP goes down. If you are offering hosting and storage space you will need to have maximum up time meaning 2 internet connections in case primary fails.

Also I would as the user above mentioned looking into get a used server for home. You can get some amazing value from it!
 
Ok well part of it is to gain experience. Well, which would be better to do from my home, sell (as long as it is ok with my isp provider) storage or do hosting? I really want to do hosting for my own web pages to do and put out there, for one I don't like the high fees that these people charge me to have a website, plus it is a cheap way to advertise too! I really would like to do both sell storage and do hosting, I think I am leaning toward hosting, but bc my experience is limited, I'm wondering if selling storage would be good too. I'm not sure what to do right now. I can get the static IP and other things needed, that's no big deal. Just wondering which would be better to start off with than expand.

2ndly if my isp won't allow me to do sell hosting/storage, what is the legal way to go about selling hosting and storage and how would one go about it. Thanks.
 
One thing about selling storage space or hosting is you are going to have to be able to back up anything that gets stored.
If a drive dies or you get hacked people are going to expect their files to be safe.
You are also going to need a back-up server in case one goes down.

I think you will find you won't be able to compete price wise with the big boys otherwise everybody and his brother would be doing it.
Check out your costs first: bandwidth (speed and volume), servers, drives, electric (servers use power), business license fees, liability insurance (sued for loss of data) and a few others I have forgotten.

I looked at this several years ago and start up costs are huge.
I have owned several servers (commercial) over the years and they can be troublesome at times.
 
I highly doubt you will be able to pull this off... not only make a profit!

Just look at what you need to have as equipment:

Static IP
2nd internet connection in case the primary internet connection goes down.
Hardware Firewall connection so you can have secure connection for your clients.
Fire/water/explosion protected environment. (you have to be protect for your clients).
I case of a storm you need to have a generator to be able to run these servers. Uptime is crucial for your clients! No excuse that electricity is down cause of a storm or such your clients don't care that is why they are paying.


You will need to double on on these items:
A server with 2 NIC cards
Storage drive.
Enough ram.
UPS

Also you will need to look at off side backup just incase something does happen.


I missing a few things but this is something you need to think of when you start a business of some sort! Unless you are rich and can throw money around this is something that you will not be able to really afford let alone think of how you customers will feel that you are doing this in your basement!

Just trying to get you some advice bud!
 
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