Windows 7 or XP for file server?

[Akira181]

I have a dedicated computer set up as a software RAID5 server. I upgraded some parts a while ago and I was thinking, what OS is better?


I have zero experience with Linux so I think that is out,
I do not have access to any Windows Server editions (trying to find 2000 if I can)
I am using XP 32bit just now (no idea if 64bit XP is any good)


Is a lite version of XP with some of the bloat removed a better choice or should I go for Windows 7?

Or will none of the above make any noticable difference?

[duffy90210]

When come to servers, there are many factors to consider, such as, what it will be use for, what hardware you have, what software to use etc.

Software RAID5 may work, but depend on what hardware you are using, running sW RAID5 on a slow computer is like buying Mini that has the capacity to carry 12 people, it will work, but slowly.
If you value your data, software RAID5 is false economy, if the software hits a bug or throws a wobbler, your whole RAID would go down the toilet, you would be better off running RAID1 for better protection or RAID10 if you needed speed and protection.
If you must run RAID5, use a proper card and a UPS, cant stress enough on protcting your data.

As to OS, again, the key point is what will you do with your server ? simply to share files, then anything 2000/XP would do it, the best stable OS for this would be 2000/2000 Server, fast,simple yet rock steady, if you 'look' around, they are like mushrooms, everywhere, plus the advantage of no activation, so moving the OS to new hardware is a lot less hassle than with XP/2003 or above.

[Akira181]

I want a proper card but they're more expensive than I would like so Software RAID5 will have to suffice. The equipment I have is:


Asus M2n-E with 6 onboard SATAII ports (I have two of these, one as a spare)
AMD Athlon64 X2 4600+
4GB DDR2 RAM. (overkill perhaps but I'm using DDR3 now and I have no other use for it)
6x Samsung Spinpoint 1TB HDD
1x Seagate 280GB drive as a boot disk


I basically want it to act as a media server plus backup of files like photos, work stuff, etc. As long as it's not deathly slow, speed is not high on the list.

[duffy90210]

In that case, it should be fine for the job with what you have listed, I have never tried software RAID so cant comment on the reliability on them, I check out ebay every other week for bargains and over the last few years I managed to get hold of some really great cards for almost next to nothing, this one normally go for around £40-50 on a good day, it runs off PCI so you will lose a bit of speed but for data storage its a good card.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Adaptec-2610SA-6-channel-SATA-RAID-card-64bit-PCI-/290484033021?pt=UK_Computing_ComputerComponents_In terfaceCards&hash=item43a23295fd

[Akira181]

I think I have one of those cards (can't remember if it's the 4 port or 6 port one. I think it's the 6) but I never installed it because someone told me it cannot handle array's larger than 2TB.

That true? If it isn't, I might give it a try and buy another as a spare