The Hunt - Dust Collectors

(Page 6 of 6 )

One of our early PC desktops at home was a 166 MHz OEM machine built by a computer technician friend named Manny back in the 1990s. This was an older AT-style system, midtower, with antiquated SIMM memory. Affectionately referred to as the “Manny Computer,” it has had most of its components replaced over the years, until finally it couldn’t keep up with the newer, more demanding software requirements. I ended up pulling out its guts, and used the floppy, network adapter, video card, and CD-ROM on the file/print server I built for home. Fortunately, the components were Windows 2000 compliant. These parts brought down the cost of the server to about $200, so don’t write off those old systems entirely just yet.

Since the time I wrote this book, prices have dropped (and continue to drop) for components that are not quite out of date, and not necessarily future-proof. However, falling out of style doesn’t make them useless. The computer industry, like any other industry, is driven by profits. They have a constant need to churn out new products and continue to garnish consumer dollars, sometimes offering new and exciting features that the vast majority of buyers don’t need. A 1 GHz processor may not be as fast as a 2.5 GHz processor, but it doesn’t mean it does the job any less effectively—just slower. They are more than enough for the server we have planned.

Here’s a list of my hints and tips when you’re out there shopping for components:

• To avoid any problems with compatibility, purchase a combination CPU and motherboard from a reputable source.

• The 1 GHz AMD Duron and Athlon processors are exceptional bargains at under $50. They also appear to be the most favorable with the greatest number of Socket A motherboards.

• Do not build an entire server from parts pulled out of junk machines. If you use those to build a single workstation, that’s fine. If it goes down, you only have one person down. If a server goes down, it affects everybody in the company, so seriously consider the risk factor.

• There are many places online where you can find bargains, and the computer shows are always a great resource. Never stop looking!

• Stick with PCI expansion cards and/or an AGP card for your video adapter (if not already available onboard).

This chapter is from Build Your Own Server, by Tony Caputo (McGraw-Hill/Osborne, 2004, ISBN: 0072227281). Check it out at your favorite bookstore today. Buy this book now.

DISCLAIMER: The content provided in this article is not warranted or guaranteed by Developer Shed, Inc. The content provided is intended for entertainment and/or educational purposes in order to introduce to the reader key ideas, concepts, and/or product reviews. As such it is incumbent upon the reader to employ real-world tactics for security and implementation of best practices. We are not liable for any negative consequences that may result from implementing any information covered in our articles or tutorials. If this is a hardware review, it is not recommended to open and/or modify your hardware.

blog comments powered by Disqus