One problem, though, is that I will need a network server too. I have been using an old computer found on the local dump to run a couple of services (torrents, printer server, file sharing over network, storage of music and movies and such) but the problem is, it is using WAY too much power to be running 24/7. And that kind of makes it unusable as a server. I have been looking into the problem, and found that such speeds as avalible in a normal desktop computer is pretty much overkill for such a network as my home network (4 users). The file serving might as well be done by another Raspberry Pi, if it weren't for a couple of limitations:
- At the moment, there's a huge demand for the Pi, and low production. You can only order one at a time, and mine is expected to be delivered before july. Waiting that long is not a good option.
- The Raspberry Pi only has two USB ports, and 10/100 ethernet. Transfering 100 mbit over the internet is fast, but over LAN it is slow. And just two USB ports limits the number of hard drives connected, as well as the transfer speed.
So, I am forced to find another option. I have been looking around the net for small and silent PCs, capable of running Linux in one form or another, and with gigabit ethernet. But finding one with a cost comparable to the Raspberry Pi is almost impossible, most of them start at 1500 SEK, or more. And that's more than I am willing to pay, if I can avoid it. And I can ;)
Instead of getting one of these, I picked up my mom's old laptop. After five years of good service, the screen has become unstable, so she bought a new one. This laptop has an Intel GM 915 graphics chipset, 4 USB ports, gigabit ethernet, and turns out to run very silent under Linux. I ran a Lubuntu Live environment to test the machine, and since most of the hardware is in a good state (except for the screen), it will make for a great home server. I plan on shutting down the old server and taking it apart in the beginning of May, as we will get a monthly internet traffic limit by then, so I will have to stop the server anyway. Until then, the old server Emilia will take care of the torrent downloading. I also have to get a HDD case, since my mom's laptop got a 40 GB disk. I will need a little more than 40 GB for the server, since it will host our ~65 GB music collection. I am going to buy an external IDE-to-USB case, to use with the 250 GB IDE disk I have. I'll try to get my hands on a 3 TB SATA drive too soon enough, but first I have to find a suitable case for it. Preferrably one with an eSATA-connection as well as USB.
