I have a small home network (5 computers), and use a Synology NAS to share files between them. I'm thinking of augmenting this NAS with a server, either a refurbished 'professional' unit or a DIY home built unit and am seeking advice on the pros and cons of such a system along with suggestions on a suitable route forward. My initial thoughts are to purchase a refurbished HP DL380e G8 P822 Server and populate it with 3.5" SATA hard drives (I have a few spares lying around), gradually increasing the number of hard drives over time as my needs increase. I accept that this alone won't give me much more than the Synology NAS already provides but, as my knowledge and experience increase, I'd be interested in learning and playing with virtualisation. For that, I think a server rather than a NAS is a better option. I'd appreciate comments on the general concept and suggestions as to suitable hardware - eg the server chassis itself, appropriate CPUs, how much RAM, a good operating system (I'm thinking FreeNAS or UBuntu, open to other ideas).
This will be my first server, and I'm new to the concept of servers, but eager to learn.
This will be my first server, and I'm new to the concept of servers, but eager to learn.