Build a low-cost green server

I would like to have my own server so I could host my future web projects/ mail service to it. Simple stuff basically.

The server should be low-power consuming and doesn't need to be fancy.

All its needed is:

-motherboard w/ integrated graphics;
-low-end cpu;
-low consumption psu;
-green hdd

The shitter it is, the less I'll have to spend on air colling, aka less heat.
By server I mean, and old pc build... so it would reduce the costs.

Any ideas of what parts I should pay attention to and its overall prices?
Thanks in advance!

 

Depends on what OS. Debian/linux server or windows?

 

Linux. I want everything to be legal.

 

linux is probably the better choice for a server anyhow.

 

I would suggest either a Corel Netwinder or an Acorn A7000, both have what you're looking for: integrated graphics, low-end cpu, low power requirements (around 10-15W and 35W respectively), as for green hdds, the Netwinder uses a 2.5" hdd and you can easily fit a Microdrive or a CF card in the Acorn.
If you prefer to stay in the x86 world, get a Mini-ITX motherboard (or a netbook...)

 

Get an intel atom system, VERY low power consumption and doesn't need a fan I don't think?
You could also get broken-screen laptop off ebay and use that.

 

I'm using a NSLU2 device that I replaced the stock OS on, mostly as a web server and torrent box. No mechanical components (runs off of an old thumb drive, but HDDs work too, of course), passive cooling, draws less than 5 watts (didn't measure myself, but that's what other owners reported). Discontinued, but can be had for very little on eBay.

 

I second getting a an atom nettop

 

Make sure you use a SSD, less power consumption.

 

Better yet get a NAS such as a QNAP / Synology.

 

ditch the hdd and run it off a 16gb flash stick

 

Probably not a good idea if you're going to have a page file on there.

 

If you're looking for a basic LAMP server, why not try one of these:

http://www.marvell.com/platforms/plug_computer/
http://www.globalscaletechnologies.com/p-22-sheevaplug-dev-kit-us.aspx

5-15W linux server. The base platform spec has been extended too.

 

Right, seems to be the best deal.

http://www.globalscaletechnologies.com/p-32-guruplug-server-plus.aspx

 

Wouldn't it be faster if the page file is on flash memory rather than on disk? Disk seems to be much slower. If you tune virtual memory just right, you might not have to page so many things out to disk. I mean, how many things WILL be needed to be paged out?

 

It's not about speed. Each bit in a flash memory chip has a maximum number of writes before it dies. The special thing about SSD devices is they have memory managers that ensure single bits don't get hit over and over again (and redundancy). Standard USB pens don't have anything like that, so having something constantly writing to them in the same place (like a page file) is a bad idea.

 

If it's a simple server and will be rarely used, you have *NO* need for a page file AT ALL.
That includes Windows, *nix, solaris and *bsd server platforms.

 

True, but if you're using Windows, there's simply no way to disable it alltogether.
That's a non-issue though, since we've already been told the server's gonna be Linux-based.

Dang, how could I forget about the Pogo-/Sheeva-/Whateverplugs? Lemme throw in another recommendation for these, they're great. :thumbsup:
Seeing how they've gotten much cheaper since I last read up on them, I'm tempted to get one myself now.

 

I recently made an Atom Server - Cost me near $250, ready to go - it's quiet and cool too.

http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=13630
+
http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=25_1119&products_id=11278
+
1TB 3.5" SATA

 

I don't know much about the hardware side of a server but if it came to choosing a linux distribution it has to be CentOS. Most of my friends from college/uni use it as their choice of Server OS.