1

I am looking to setup a home server. I want it to run a whole bunch of things like a file server, music server, print server, web server, mail server and possibly some other uses like home automation. It will all be just for personal use, not enterprise; so mostly one user. I am wondering if it is a bad idea to run so many things on one? Should I split it up into more then one server, or have a separate nas for backup? Or will it all work fine together. I don't currently have the hardware, I am looking at getting something nice, so hardware shouldn't be much of an issue.

2 Answers 2

1

There is no reason why you shouldn't run it all on one server.

I have one machine which is:

  • Print server
  • File server
  • Web server
  • TV server (MythTV)
  • Router
  • DHCP
  • Virtual Machine Host

And all with 3GB RAM and a 2GHz P4.

If you were running any of these services for resale to people as a business then splitting it down into multiple servers would be a must, but for your own personal use there should be no problems at all.

It is always good to have a separate system for backup, so an additional NAS is a good idea - if possible site it in a different room in the house.

2
  • Cool, mind sharing a little more about your setup? Is it an actual server (as in built for being a server) or just a desktop? What os are you running?
    – user77325
    Apr 19, 2011 at 17:01
  • I am running Ubuntu 10.10 on an old Dell desktop computer that I upgraded with 3 2TB hard disks.
    – Majenko
    Apr 19, 2011 at 17:02
0

As per @Matt's answer, but with a possible caveat:

If any of the services you want to run consume close to 100% CPU or are selfish in other ways (eg with Disk I/O) think about popping them on their own server so they don't block other services.

For example at home I have my media file server separated out on its own network, as it sometimes saturates its network and that could upset some of my other services.

You must log in to answer this question.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged .