The Anatomy of a Server

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This chapter from the book Build Your Own Server by Tony Caputo, (McGraw-Hill/Osborne, 2003, ISBN: 0072227281) details reasons for creating your own server instead of using a PC or buying a new server. He lists the components and the bargain prices that he found them for when building his own, as a testament that you can build one inexpensively also.

This book offers you step-by-step instructions on how to take advantage of a server-based environment while still keeping your costs low. I’ll show you the what, why, and how of building a network server designed for a small to midsize company, and how to extend your data for better decisions, security, and profits. We’ll hunt for compatible components, and find those exceptional bargains and deals. I’ll show you how to assemble those parts as if you were putting together a bicycle. Once we have our computer up and running, we’ll turn it into a server. The transformation from a simple computer to a server requires add-on components and installation of a network operating system (NOS), giving you the power to share your printer, files, and the Internet; protect your data as a firewall; create remote connectivity to access your workstation at the office from home; and even turn it into an access point for secure wireless networking.

The following are highlights of what you’ll find within the pages of this book:  

• Instructions on how to install and configure Windows 2000 Server or Server 2003
• Instructions on how to install and configure the remote administration capabilities of Terminal Server
• Tips on hardware component–level troubleshooting
• Real-world Windows 2000 or Server 2003 frequently asked questions (FAQ) and troubleshooting