Building a PC to be used as a Active Directory domain controller?

By htcz
in Hardware Hangout

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Grand Master

ANON86364

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RAID does not keep your data safe; backups do. It is only a convenience that you your server doesn't go down when a drive fails. Besides, the worst that'll happen is the RAID will fail a member and you simply rebuild. The drive isn't failed, it just fell out of the array. I haven't even had that problem though in two years, with varying models.

Grand Master

TEX4S

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i'm glad that you're having a good experience with them but from what i've read online and seen many times in person green drives are not the way to go for raid. unless you're just going for speed i would not depend on them to keep my data safe. and even for speed in raid 0 the lowest i would go is blue.

just my two cents.

<3

relying on greens for speed ?? :|

Only thing they are reliable for is being slow... and crashing more often than blue & black

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htcz

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Intel BOXD525MW $74.99

Antec ISK 300-150 Black $79.99

OCZ Solid 3 SLD3-25SAT3-60G $74.99

Crucial 2GB 204-Pin DDR3 $19.99

Totals at $249.96 USD

Is it going to be as powerful? No, but it is sufficient for a budget system.

By the way, I have that same case for my HTPC and it's fantastic ;)

Well going from a Atom base:

Gigabyte GA-D525TUD 75 euros

Tacens Philus Mini ITX Black 22 euros

WD Caviar Blue 250GB SATA3 img_stock_completo.php?articulo=47329&tipo=agotado62 euros (no reason at all for a SSD)

G.Skill NQ DDR3 1333 PC3-10600 2GB 2x1GB CL9 img_stock_completo.php?articulo=40821&tipo=agotadoimg_stock_completo.php?articulo=40821&tipo=avisame21 euros

(Missing a PSU): 180 euros

Grand Master

ANON86364

Posted
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Well going from a Atom base:

Gigabyte GA-D525TUD 75 euros

Tacens Philus Mini ITX Black 22 euros

WD Caviar Blue 250GB SATA3 img_stock_completo.php?articulo=47329&tipo=agotado62 euros (no reason at all for a SSD)

G.Skill NQ DDR3 1333 PC3-10600 2GB 2x1GB CL9 img_stock_completo.php?articulo=40821&tipo=agotadoimg_stock_completo.php?articulo=40821&tipo=avisame21 euros

(Missing a PSU): 180 euros

Well okay.. That's $11 USD less and without a PSU.. Plus, my build has a nice SSD included. The point remains that an Atom platform is probably the cheapest way to go.

No reason for an SSD? Firstly, the drive you posted is more expensive than the SSD! Secondly, the case I suggested only takes 2.5" drives. Thirdly, it does make a difference to help make up for any sluggishness you may get from the Atom. Trust me on that. I've built several Atom systems and found that is the case. Either way, you can easily opt for a HDD.

That case you posted may be just fine but you have to find a PSU that'll fit that form factor. Plus, I haven't ever heard of that brand, if it even is one. Antec will have a warranty on the PSU.

Also, neither of us have posted an optical drive. I am assuming you will install your OS from a USB drive.

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htcz

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Well okay.. That's $11 USD less and without a PSU.. Plus, my build has a nice SSD included. The point remains that an Atom platform is probably the cheapest way to go.

You cant cross compare currencies. It makes no sense.

No reason for an SSD? Firstly, the drive you posted is more expensive than the SSD! Secondly, the case I suggested only takes 2.5" drives. Thirdly, it does make a difference to help make up for any sluggishness you may get from the Atom. Trust me on that. I've built several Atom systems and found that is the case. Either way, you can easily opt for a HDD.

See, theres why I originally went with a regular low budget processor: I can pick out any motherboard I want. Second, Atoms are indeed slow so a low budget processor with a HDD is good in a price/preformance ratio.

That case you posted may be just fine but you have to find a PSU that'll fit that form factor. Plus, I haven't ever heard of that brand, if it even is one. Antec will have a warranty on the PSU.

I havent either. I made a build simply picking the cheapest parts.

Also, neither of us have posted an optical drive. I am assuming you will install your OS from a USB drive.

Indeed :) This personally is a nonissue as like you said I can just install it from a USB drive.

I think I mentioned before but to put this to practical use, I may make a exchange server on this as well. This is a afterthought so first AD (which Exchange requires I believe) and then other things...

Grand Master

ANON86364

Posted
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You cant cross compare currencies. It makes no sense.

Well 280 Euros certainly doesn't equal 280 USD, so something has to be compared. Are you implying that international conversion rates are a facade?

See, theres why I originally went with a regular low budget processor: I can pick out any motherboard I want. Second, Atoms are indeed slow so a low budget processor with a HDD is good in a price/preformance ratio.

I havent either. I made a build simply picking the cheapest parts.

[...]

I think I mentioned before but to put this to practical use, I may make a exchange server on this as well. This is a afterthought so first AD (which Exchange requires I believe) and then other things...

Now you are coming off as indecisive. You want a budget server, but not exactly lowest budget but then you want to possibly run exchange which isn't exactly easy on resources.

You need to figure out what you want then come back and read over this advice.

Just a thought: purchasing solely on cheapest parts doesn't mean it will be the lowest cost of ownership. Having a quality product with a warranty far outweighs a simple couple Euros.

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htcz

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Well 280 Euros certainly doesn't equal 280 USD, so something has to be compared. Are you implying that international conversion rates are a facade?

You cant compare prices because they have nothing to do with each other.

Now you are coming off as indecisive. You want a budget server, but not exactly lowest budget but then you want to possibly run exchange which isn't exactly easy on resources.

You need to figure out what you want then come back and read over this advice.

Just a thought: purchasing solely on cheapest parts doesn't mean it will be the lowest cost of ownership. Having a quality product with a warranty far outweighs a simple couple Euros.

The Exchange server was simply a "side comment" You are giving this too much thought :)

Yes, of course, I understand that the cheapest parts are not the best because in the long run they will cost more to repair. But what you fail to realize (not only you, but many others :) ) is that this PC means nothing to me; If it breaks, it breaks. If it doesnt work, Ill use it for something else.

Quality is pretty much irrelevent in this scenario.

Proficient

ybrett23

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i use on old pc running sbs 2011

spec is, amd x2 6000 3ghz

8gb ram

and 4 tb of discs.

it also only uses 1 NC

i only have my mac on the domain,

i run a server so i can use exchange and stream my files to all my devices.

pc cost about 300? OS gratis :)

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htcz

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Buy a HP 8000 job done

I only found a printer under that model....

i use on old pc running sbs 2011

spec is, amd x2 6000 3ghz

8gb ram

and 4 tb of discs.

it also only uses 1 NC

i only have my mac on the domain,

i run a server so i can use exchange and stream my files to all my devices.

pc cost about 300? OS gratis :)

Im guessing the low cost is because of the CPU because if not.........

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htcz

Posted
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Oops hp dc8000 it'll be powerful enough for a dc and a file server, like you said its only for home and testing/learning

I think the model may have been discontinued because I find VERY little information about it....

Could a equivilent replacement be SN8000B? (didnt search for its price)

Grand Master

BeerFan

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If this is just for training / experimenting, then there's really no need to buy something special. Any old PC will do. I've currently got a home DC on my old gaming system - a P4 3.2GHz w/ 4GB ram. It had been running Server 08 R2 for a year or so, but recently I installed the Server 2012 beta on it. It's functioning quite well as a DC and file server. It also runs the latest Folding@Home client 24/7, which definitely does affect performance, so when I need to work on the server I pause the folding client.

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