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What's the point of a server OS and server CPU

post #1 of 18
10/11/12 at 10:07pm
Thread Starter 
For people on this forum who have home servers, do you actually have a server CPU - Operton or Xeon? Do you actually use a server OS like Windows 2008 or Linux and WHY?

What is the point of running a home server if you don't have a good connection? I don't think your ISP would approve of web hosting, I know mine doesn't. A game server needs a good computer and a stable connection to run on.

The only reason I see for a home server computer is if you need a constant backup.

I want to know.
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post #2 of 18
10/11/12 at 10:43pm
http://www.overclock.net/t/1303032/uses-for-your-home-server/0_60

True server CPUs are usually not necessary unless you want to run dual CPUs. Server OSes are not always necessary, either, but that depends entirely on what you want the server to do. There's a huge functionality difference between Windows 7 and Server 2008 R2, for example, even though they are built on the same foundation.
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post #3 of 18
10/11/12 at 11:29pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Oedipus View Post

http://www.overclock.net/t/1303032/uses-for-your-home-server/0_60
True server CPUs are usually not necessary unless you want to run dual CPUs. Server OSes are not always necessary, either, but that depends entirely on what you want the server to do. There's a huge functionality difference between Windows 7 and Server 2008 R2, for example, even though they are built on the same foundation.
+1
something to add to is server CPU are usually have better TDP also. For most use, consumer CPU's and regular ram are perfectly acceptable.

Most user's I find here are hosting basic file servers vs actually workplace servers. For central storage of home data, a fileserver is really handy to have.
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post #4 of 18
10/12/12 at 2:18am
Windows 7 also limits the number of connections to 20.
Xeon CPUs support error correcting RAM for mission critical applications.

Everyone I know with a home server uses it as a fancy NAS, so they can access their vast libraries of music and movies from any device.
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post #5 of 18
10/12/12 at 12:45pm
Thread Starter 
doesn't seem worth it to me. I don't see why you would need a Xeon or Opteron CPU for stuff like that. Same with a server operating system.
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post #6 of 18
10/12/12 at 12:50pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by marlo View Post

doesn't seem worth it to me. I don't see why you would need a Xeon or Opteron CPU for stuff like that. Same with a server operating system.

Server CPUs have higher amounts of cores, and dual/quad CPU options...which is nice for a home virtualized lab. A server OS gives increased functions, that aren't available in a desktop OS...such as DNS, DHCP, LDAP, etc. It all depends on what you want to do with your home server.

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post #7 of 18
10/12/12 at 12:52pm
main difference between server cpus (Xeon line) vs desktop cpu - the former ones use ECC memory (extra parity check bit) with more advanced settings. server motherboards usually allow using several mutli-core CPUs, lots of memory sticks and allow for redundancy (cpus, power supplies, hard drivs, memory sticks, etc.) and give hot swap features (in conjunction with matching case often).

main difference between server OS vs Desktop OS - the former one is optimized to run tasks more efficiently in background and is NOT optimized for e.g. gaming (but it's possible if drivers are not a problem hehe). enterprise editions of windows servers allow creating clusters, etc. in a similar manner like linux servers do (e.g. red hat).
also as mentioned above, there is gazillion of local/domain services (networking) available on server OS that desktops simply don't have.
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post #8 of 18
10/12/12 at 12:55pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by marlo View Post

doesn't seem worth it to me. I don't see why you would need a Xeon or Opteron CPU for stuff like that. Same with a server operating system.

When you are running a VM server which hosts 40-50 individual servers, having a lot of CPU power is key. Even with individual servers that are not virtual, if you have a large organization with a lot of people accessing a database or something like that, you need more resources than someone who is running a home server for the sake of storing files. As for a Server operating system, these allow for you to create active directory domains, run your DHCP server, DNS server, and numerous other options that no one at home NEEDS to use (although some do because they are IT nerds like me). For the most part, home users do not NEED Xeon processors and server OS's, they are mainly for corporate use.
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post #9 of 18
10/12/12 at 2:28pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by marlo View Post

doesn't seem worth it to me. I don't see why you would need a Xeon or Opteron CPU for stuff like that. Same with a server operating system.

You already said that you don't know what you're talking about in this department (and believe me, you probably don't need to waste your time on this) but in doing so you give up your ability to say whther or not the good stuff "is worth it." For my needs, anyway, a server OS is essential. Hardware-wise, my beast is a little overbuilt but not by much.
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post #10 of 18
10/12/12 at 2:37pm
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Oedipus View Post

You already said that you don't know what you're talking about in this department (and believe me, you probably don't need to waste your time on this) but in doing so you give up your ability to say whther or not the good stuff "is worth it." For my needs, anyway, a server OS is essential. Hardware-wise, my beast is a little overbuilt but not by much.
I just want to learn more. I just don't see some of the things suggested like web hosting worth it unless you have a top of the line connection.

What do you use your server for?
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