falven

Hey guys,
I was wondering if you knew of a way to make a Server/Router, maybe via virtualization? I need a server and a router and wanted to see if I could put both into one box or something of the sort, I need parts and software reocmmendations
Thanks!
-Falven

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Manyak

There sure is. But some more information is needed:

- What's your budget?
- What jobs do you want it to do?
- How many users will there be?
- What are your network and internet speeds?
- How much storage space do you need for your files?

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falven

- What's your budget? - I honestly have no clue, I want to check out how much i would have to spend, like teh range of budgets before i decide
- What jobs do you want it to do? - File server/ Download Music/ FTP/ possibly IRC
- How many users will there be? - Me
- What are your network and internet speeds? - 90-100mbps
- How much storage space do you need for your files? -500gb tops

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Manyak

Ok well for starters, unfortunately you will need to run ESXi or MS HyperVisor to do both at once securely. This means you need a CPU with 64-bit virtualization. The only Intel ones that do are the higher-end ones (like the E8400), but any 64 bit AMD will work, even the older S939 ones. You'll also want at least 1GB of RAM.

As for hard drives, your best bet would be to use two separate drives, and make sure both are new, fast drives, not some old crap out of your 10 year old PC in the attic. You're gonna wanna keep your OS's on one drive, and have the downloads and storage on the other drive. This is the key to performance here, nothing else.

You might even want to take a few extra bucks and upgrade your home network to gigabit.

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MalVeauX

Heya,

If the machine is just for serving files, FTP, download slave, and possibly IRC, you can get by with an ancient celeron. It takes next to no real computing power to do this role for a single user at home. You could use virtualization. Or, you could just take any old machine and make it do this. Linux would be a free way to do it. FreeNAS would do it as well (though it wouldn't do the download slave & IRC thing).

If you have an old laptop around, it's actually perfect because you can upgrade the HDD in the thing, and then you have a nice neat little package with it's own input and screen so you can control it. Just slap on any old OS and you're set. Plus, it's low power and has it's own built in battery backup in case of a power out (huzzah!). Netbooks actually are really snazzy little gems for this kind of job if you have one laying around or if you find someone selling one for cheap.

Either way, just make sure you use a server OS. Their network use and `high availability' make them a more attractive option over just taking any old windows (for example) with shares. Ubuntu Server for example. Windows Home Server (or Windows Server 2003, or 2008), as free/notfree examples.

Budget for whole project? Free to $200, to $400 or so. Depends on what you are willing to do. $200 can get you a netbook to do that. Or, you could use $200 to build a much beefier desktop system of course. If you already have an extra system laying around, and you download ubuntu server or something, the whole thing is free. Or if you have an old laptop around, same thing, free. If you have to buy everything, well, hunt old machines on ebay that have free shipping or something or look here on OCN for some old stuff someone is looking to toss out. Those old crumby machines are excellent home file server hardware machines. The advantage of a desktop machine over a laptop is that you can change out hardware, add to it, add tons of HDD's. The laptop simply takes less power, less space, and has it's own input/monitor, but it's limited in how much capacity it has and absolutely limited to what hardware is in it (but you can get some big laptop HDD's these days).

Very best,

the_beast

If you want to use it as a fileserver or FTP server, upgrade to gigabit before you do anything else.

Over 100mbit you will hate waiting for files so much you will probably never copy anything to the server anyway.

Decent gigabit cards can be had really cheap (look for any Intel cards), and a cheap gigabit switch with enough ports to connect each of your pcs (plus 1 more to connect your modem/router) shouldn't be too expensive either - either buy a cheap one or look on eBay.

As for hardware, use pretty much anything you have lying around or can get for free as a starting point. If you have anything available let us know and we can tell you how to set it all up properly. If you are buying new stuff then get the cheapest, lower power setup you can find (barebones systems would be a good start point, as they are cheap - either AMD or dual core Celeron are good starting points).

falven

Hey guys, I didn't want to have to revive an old thread, but I finally got my server and want to set up the router part of it, what virtual machine should i use, and what software should I use, is it a linux distro? I was thinking virtualbox for the virtualization, what do you guys think?

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DuckieHo

Here's a guide using VMWare but any VM will work: http://doc.pfsense.org/index.php/Ins..._under_windows


However, do realize that a VM is not as secure as a physical independent machine. For home use, a Virtual Router is fine but you want a separate machine for enterprise use

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the_beast

I am thinking of running either Endian or Untangle under VMWare Server (free) from my fileserver (as they are the only virtual installations supported currently, and there are problems reported with Hyper-V).

Despite the potential problems, I think it should be ok for a home server, especially as I intend to run in full UTM mode.

Just need to find the time to set it all up & test it...

falven

Thanks for your help, Question!

Will either Endian, pfSense or Untangle allow me to use my wireless antenna on my Server to create a wireless network?

The main part of this project of mine is to create a captive portal.
So i think i'm basically looking for security (if this is even possible in an "unsecured" network) to prevent people from tampering with the network (it will be present in a public location open to anyone) also some speed, but simplicity and reliability.

Endian Captive Portal:
http://www.endian.com/en/solutions/technology/hotspot/

pfSense Captive Portal:
http://www.pfsense.org/index.php?opt...d=40&Itemid=43

Untangle appears to not have Captive portal: necessary feature for my server build.
http://wiki.untangle.com/index.php/S...e+Portal&go=Go

So I think its now between pfSense or Endian, which would better fit my needs in your opinion?

Thanks!
-Falven

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AMD Phenom 9500 2.475ghz = http://valid.x86-secret.com/show_oc.php?id=429024
AMD Phenom 9950 3.208ghz http://valid.x86-secret.com/show_oc.php?id=452106
Intel Core i7 920 3.809ghz = http://valid.canardpc.com/show_oc.php?id=540721