Build an inexpensive storage server.
Just because a computer has the word "server" in it does not mean that it has to be stocked full of very expensive hardware. Computer hard drive storage keeps getting cheaper and cheaper per gigabyte. As of this writing, the largest available hard drives offer storage at less than 6 cents per gigabyte. By combining multiple hard drives into a single system, a very inexpensive storage server can be built. In addition, by running the Linux operating system, the server can participate on a Windows network for free.
Instructions
1. Acquire a computer case. A case with six or more internal 3.5-inch slots is highly recommended. Be sure that if the case comes with a power supply, it has enough power to run several hard drives. 400W or higher is recommended.
2. Acquire a motherboard, CPU and RAM. The motherboard needs to have enough SATA ports to cover the number of hard drives you want to install. If the motherboard does not have enough ports, a SATA controller card can be added onto the system.
3. Acquire SATA hard drives. A storage server typically contains multiple hard drives.
4. Install all of the components into the computer case by fastening them with screws.
5. Power on the computer and configure the BIOS to recognize all of the hard drives.
6. Install a copy of Linux. It is recommended to install Linux to a 20 to 50 GB partition, leaving the rest of the drive in a separate partition for data. This way if the operating system ever becomes corrupt, the data will still be intact.
Tags: hard drives, computer case, drives Install, hard drives Install, have enough