Hello there, my name is James. I recently picked up a copy of Windows Server 2003 Enterprise Edition which is still sealed in the box (i got it for free), and i've been thinking for a long time on what kind of machine i should install it on. All i want to do is host my personal web site for awhile, and when i get the hang of maintaining the server, i'll start a small business. "Yea yea, another little dreamer" is probably what your thinking, but thats not what i'm here for. I'm here for advice on what kind of server COMPUTER i should buy. Here are my choices:

Single Pentium 3 (I would have to get it off of ebay)
Dual Pentium 3 (I would have to get it off of ebay)
Quad Pentium 3 (I would have to get it off of ebay)
AMD Athlon XP 2500+ (This an extra PC i have around the house)

Now, lets say they all have 1 GB ram, the P3's are around 700-1000 mhz, and run the Windows OS that i stated above. The AMD computer is in a personal/home style case, with 1 CPU fan and 2 regular fans. All of the rest would be a full 100% server set up. In what order would the servers performance rank in? Example: #1: AMD, #2 Quad P3 etc etc. Any other advice would be greatly appreciated. Thank you for your time!

Since you appear to be doing this for a hobby I'd go with whatever you happen to having lying around (the AMD Athlon XP 2500+ is a fine machine).

It's not as if you'd run out of resources very quickly.

The AMD will do just fine (its in my current computer right now). I doubt you will be doing anything intensive enough to require more out of it. Considering you are just starting up, save your money. Assuming you are running this out of a basic home connection, I doubt you would end up even being able to use all of the resources with it.

I thought i'd also include the fact that i have access to about 1 to 1.5 mbps. My internet's slowest speed connection is about 2mbps while i've also clocked it at about 4mbps (i've even hit 5mbps before)(i use toast.net to find out). I don't want to use all of that interent, so thats why i said i have access to about 1 to 1.5 mbps. Thank you everybody for your opinions, but with the fact that i have 1 to 1.5 mbps, do you still recommend the AMD computer? Also, just to make sure, is 1 mbps = 300 GB a month correct? So if i have 1.5 mbps, i'd have 450 GB a month? Thank you for your time!

The AMD will do just fine, believe me. I've run plenty of servers, myself and with friends and I would be amazed if you could use all its resources on a personal site on a 1-1.5mbps line.

In regards to bandwidth usage, theoretically 1mbps sustained 24/7 is about 337gb's of bandwidth, so reasonably expect 300gb if its used constantly.

edit; Don't forget to check your ISP's TOS!. My net is restricted to 50gb download, unlimited Up however I have a 3.5mbps line. It's also against my TOS to even run a small website from my house. So make sure you don't get your net cut off

thanks man! if i plan to host other sites from my server, say i start a small web hosting company, do you think the AMD will still do fine? if so, how many average clients could it hold? thank you for your help!

thanks man! if i plan to host other sites from my server, say i start a small web hosting company, do you think the AMD will still do fine? if so, how many average clients could it hold? thank you for your help!
the number of clients your or any server can handle all depends on resource usage. You could very well host 1,000 or more small websites on that machine. If you have a few high traffic sites (I host a couple clothing companies that get thousands of visitors a day), resource usage increases (memory/bandwidth/disk space, etc) and impacts the system accordingly.

My current server has about 150 accounts on it, and resource use is between 0.2 and 5% on the CPU, with tons of diskspace left.... again, the number of clients you can fit or host on a single machine all depends on the specs of the machine.

Hope this helps!

<<< Signatures must be setup in your profile >>>

thanks man! if i plan to host other sites from my server, say i start a small web hosting company, do you think the AMD will still do fine? if so, how many average clients could it hold? thank you for your help!

Just before I head out, for clarification, you are Not trying to run a webhosting company off the server in your house are you? Co-lo is the only way to go. I would be worried if I found out my host was being run in the owners house...

Also, if you are under 18 you cannot run a legal entity.

Just before I head out, for clarification, you are Not trying to run a webhosting company off the server in your house are you? Co-lo is the only way to go. I would be worried if I found out my host was being run in the owners house...

Also, if you are under 18 you cannot run a legal entity.

Good point. A few of my friends suggested, while I am formulating my business, etc, that I run it from my house. That is just not doable! From a security/availability/stability standpoint, running on any sort of pipe from a house is not advisable.

Another thing to look into, if you are forming a hosting company, is the legalities and getting proper licensing, etc for the business. This is essential so you don't have surprises down the road (IRS, disgruntled customers, etc).

Cheers,
Chris Jordan
www.d4hosting.com
chris@d4hosting.com

Also, if you are under 18 you cannot run a legal entity.

That is actually incorrect....

You can start a corporation as long as someone over 18 is involved and able to sign the necessary documents. Also, the stock would likely be held in a guardians name, but you could still have a corporation and run it legally. The LLC laws are different in every state, but I believe some allow someone under the age of 16 to be a part of an LLC.

Actually, i'm pretty sure a person under 18 can start a business. Whether the person needs a legal parent/gaurdian to be a "co-signer", i'm sure they can still open shop.

Also, i am planing on hosting my owns sites at my house. I was just checking to see if expandabilty was an option for me.

Thank you for your responses, and please keep them coming

That is actually incorrect....

You can start a corporation as long as someone over 18 is involved and able to sign the necessary documents. Also, the stock would likely be held in a guardians name, but you could still have a corporation and run it legally. The LLC laws are different in every state, but I believe some allow someone under the age of 16 to be a part of an LLC.

It really all depends on where you are. By that I meant actually run it yourself. If your parents or guardians co-sign then of course you can run, but simply by yourself you cannot. Although, as I said, it truly depends on where you live. IE in the UK the laws are entirely different regarding age