The name server comes from the English and means translated servant. A server is either a software that communicates with another program as a client and thus provides access to services, or the hardware on which this software runs. While there is only the term server for the software, the term host is also used for a server as hardware.
For the layman now probably the question arises, for what a server is needed concretely. More and more information is being stored on hard disks in digital form, for example texts, images, videos or music files. If there are now several computers in a household or office, a server ensures that this data can be accessed from all computers. The server is thus a kind of central and takes over the function of the main computer, which provides the data for the other computers of the respective network. Ready-made servers are offered in different designs. However, servers are not always able to fulfill the customer’s wishes with regard to, for example, expandability, performance, energy efficiency or support. In addition, the price is often very high. If you know something about computers, you can therefore also build a server yourself. The main criteria for a server brand self-build are the costs, the performance and the stability, but also aspects such as the volume or the power consumption should be considered.
And how to build a NAS server yourself is shown in this video:
Components and assembly for a do-it-yourself server
The following components are basically required for a high-performance server:
- 1 Main board
- 2 processors
- 1 sufficiently large main memory
- 3 hard disks
- 1 Enclosure
The size of the required main memory as well as the number of hard disks is determined by how the server is designed, i.e. how many computers the network comprises and how large the stored data volumes are. As housing a real server housing from the trade can be used, for a simpler variant, however, also the housing of a decommissioned computer is sufficient.
Server self-build instructions
1.) Before the assembly can begin, the hobbyist should first ground himself. Either a grounding wrist strap can be used or a water tap is touched for this purpose. Grounding is important to dissipate the static charge that could otherwise damage the sensitive electronic components.
2.) To a server case In addition to the case fan, two additional fans are usually included, which are now installed first in the first work step. The fans are necessary to transport cold air from outside into the server. Next, the motherboard manufacturer’s bezel is attached to the case, if the motherboard does not match the corresponding bezel on the case. After the rails have been mounted, the hard disks can be installed.
3.) Now it goes with the motherboard further. First, this is equipped with the two processors and the corresponding fans. In the process, it should not be forgotten to apply a heat-conducting paste. The paste is spread in an even layer on the top of the processors. The surfaces should be thinly but completely covered with paste to ensure an optimum connection between the fan and the processor. Then the fans are connected to their power supplies on the motherboard. So that both processors can access the main memory, four bars each must be inserted into the appropriate slots. The exact arrangement of the bars has to be taken from the description of the motherboard. Now the motherboard can be integrated into the case. To fix the motherboard, use the supplied spacers and screws, but in principle the screws should not be tightened too much to avoid damage to the board.
4.) After all assembly work Once all the components are in place, all that’s left to do is to connect them together. Actually, not much can go wrong, because each plug fits only in the place intended for it. If you have any doubts, it is always worth taking a look at the description of the motherboard.
5.) Are all connections done, the housing is screwed together and the input and output devices can be connected. Then the power supply is plugged into the socket, the server is switched on and if everything is done correctly, it is ready for use after configuring BIOS and RAID.
Topic: Server self-build
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I greet you on my hobby page! My name is omer Bekar and I am the author and founder of this website. Do it Yourself is my hobby and I live my life here How can I help you? Is there a topic I should write about? Let me know. Write to me oemer.bekar [at] construction manual.org. report this ad