buy a high end NAS or build my own conroe based system?

[ikonia]

there are massive issues with this whole debate.

1.) the OP wants a conroe - that obvious, so you may as well just buy it.
2.) people think that a home PC turned on 24x7 is a server - no it is not.
3.) The OP thinks he can build a better file server with better cooling etc than a professional disk product
4.) The user does not have experience in the OS's required to make this a usable product and by his own words doesn't want to learn.

The answer is obvious - get a NAS box

the answer the user should chose is get a conroe - as its what he wants.

[deviantdave]

The points you make are valid, I was only stating that from my experience of using the same make and model NAS box that has been referred to I would rather pull my own back teeth out than use a Thecus N5200.

there are massive issues with this whole debate.

1.) the OP wants a conroe - that obvious, so you may as well just buy it.

Looking at the date of his last post, I'd guess he probably already has.

2.) people think that a home PC turned on 24x7 is a server - no it is not.

The issue of what defines a server is an interesting one. If a machine is used to serve something be it files, web, mail etc... then it is, in essence a server, however many people fail to realise that server hardware is deemed server hardware for a reason! A desktop left on 24/7 can and usually does operate perfectly well for most scenarios however a true server has many benefits over a "serving" desktop.

3.) The OP thinks he can build a better file server with better cooling etc than a professional disk product

How do you know he can't? There are too many questions not answered with regards to his needs, for example space, price, cross platform compatability etc...

4.) The user does not have experience in the OS's required to make this a usable product and by his own words doesn't want to learn.

True, this seems to be nothing but cutting his nose off to spite his face. I understand that some people don't want to have to go through the hassle of having to learn a new operating system, but it's usually nothing more than ten minutes googling some basics and you're ready to roll. Fedora is not rocket science, and it WILL work far more efficiently that XP ever could.

The answer is obvious - get a NAS box

the answer the user should chose is get a conroe - as its what he wants.

You may well be right, however I'd avoid the Thecus N5200. Look at alternatives.

[ikonia]

A good post, and your right he's probably already bought the kit by now, but you do raise some good points.

The issue of what defines a server is an interesting one. If a machine is used to serve something be it files, web, mail etc... then it is, in essence a server, however many people fail to realise that server hardware is deemed server hardware for a reason! A desktop left on 24/7 can and usually does operate perfectly well for most scenarios however a true server has many benefits over a "serving" desktop.

while I agree with what your saying here, people tend to over look a few things, for example - using cheap ata disks that are massive - spinning 24x7 under load access just won't last, using home user based drivers may not offer the resilience of raid devices that server technology would. Backing up and maintaining the OS - some drivers require the windows remains the same install, a re-install can loose the data etc etc. Your spot on in what you say about it "serving" up a service, but there are reasons kit is defined as server/desktop use.

How do you know he can't? There are too many questions not answered with regards to his needs, for example space, price, cross platform compatability etc...

I don't know he can't but the fact that he thinks he can means he's not going to seriously consider any professional built products. In reality though, I doubt it he can, but looking at your comments about the nas box - any one may be able to.

Its all horses for courses, but there is no point discussing it as its pretty obvious from about the 3rd post in the OP knew what he wanted.

[aidanjt]

Just install FreeNAS on the box or something like that.

[directhex]

Just install FreeNAS on the box or something like that.

you know it ended up with xp home

[aidanjt]

[deviantdave]

Surely Media Centre?!

[ikonia]

be interesting to know what the OP actually went for and how he's got on with it.