In the interest of steering this thread back on its original course: RLancon, your server can potentially make some performance improvements, depending on what you use it for. Web and DNS caching probably being the two things that will have the most effect. That being said, the effect will not be dramatic, nor is it something you particularly need. And you could do all that with a (very) low end machine, something you could find very cheap. Given your situation, I would say that if cost is an issue the payoff is not goingt o be worth the expense. The server won't be satisfying a need, and the services it will provide aren't really worth the ~$1200 or so that server will likely cost. If cost is not an issue, and your only question is whether this project is worth the effort, I would say absolutely. The server could be set up in a few hours, and you'll likely never need to touch it again. For a nifty little addition to your network, I'd say that's definitely worth the effort. So really, this isn't a question of need. It's a question of want. Do you want a new toy? If yes, then get the server :)

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Hmmm....gg reading comprehension. I just noticed this in the original post: "He tells me that I need one forth of this set up and that this is way overkill" That, I think, we can all agree on. RLancon, does your neighbor kid propose consolidating the functions of some of your other computers onto the new server? If so, what are they?

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LOL - and getting back off topic..... ---start quote--- "all of which can be done on one XP pro PC using ICS to host the internet." As a professional, you can't possibly believe that a Windows box running ICS is a better solution than FreeBSD, can you? ---end quote--- I never said "a better solution" all I was pointing out was that it can be done...and since he already has an XP machine or two....at no additional expense. Better is also a relative term.....is FreeBSD a better solution for someone with no experience with linux but who has experience with windows.......in that case no, it's not. So I guess it really comes down to what you're most familiar/comfortable with as to what is the better solution.

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Don't be obtuse. By "pointing" that out, you made a tacit recommendation. What you pointed out isn't even correct. "all of which can be done on one XP pro PC using ICS to host the internet." Again, Windows XP is not a: DNS cache, Web cache, or firewall. So no, all of that can't be done on one XP pro PC. "is FreeBSD a better solution for someone with no experience with linux but who has experience with windows" I would say that depends on the person. In this case, it is a person who is already running at least 3 linux boxes and who has someone who is already proficient in FreeBSD offering to set up the server. So yes, in this case, FreeBSD is absolutely the better solution.

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Wow! Thanks fellers !!! What a good bunch of responses. I guess I should have put in some more detail. There are mainly 5 of us that use the system regularly as is. My son is taking some type of digital video programming thing in school and remote accesses his work from school quite a bit. My girls somehow have figured out how to hold comprehensive discussions with one person on the phone and 27 others on IM (Its true, I can only just barely walk and chew gum at the same time) My wife does get on the net from time to time, emails etc. I get on quite a bit, net, work, pictorial proposals for my work while submitting bids and lots of digital hi res pictures. I sell commercial elevators and so I take a HUGE amount of digital pics when looking at jobs. So that is the actual usage of my setup. The server idea was introduced to me as something that would help my system. Now I am very happy with the way my stuff works as is. Remember I am an avid USER and besides doing religious maintenance of the system in terms of defrag, spyware, anti virus etc (obviously NOT an issue with my Linux boxes) I just USE the thing. As I am an old fart I don't have the time to learn all the ins and outs, I am too busy supporting a family. All of the boxes have at least 1 gig and 128 video cards as do the laptops 2 have 256 cards and 2 meg ram. The cost of the server is really not a concern. Hopefully this helps explain the usage of this system. I guess the best analogy is that I also have an 1800 cc motorcycle and I really could have gotten by with a moped....but I probably have as many toys as a hedgehog has fleas....besides..I like my big Goldwing. Thank you all once again for the excellent responses. Regards, Ray

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Obtuse....hmmm....I wasn't trying to be. In the original post RLancon said: "you would probably benefit from running it as a print server, central file server, router" and that's what I was referring to when I said it could be done on an XP box. I wasn't talking about DNS cache or anything else iamc. I realize you're a linux fan and I wasn't trying to insult you or anyone else that prefers linux over windows. I was trying to be helpful....so sue me.

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Actually, I said that in my reply to the original post. Since I was talking about DNS and web caching as well as file serving and routing, I assumed you were simply choosing to ignore the former. Oh, and FreeBSD is not Linux :)

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Also, for what it's worth, I'm not a "Linux fan." I am a fan of using the right tool for the job. All other things being equal, linux/*BSD is the right tool for the job of router/rirewall/etc. Which was my point all along. Had you actually read the thread you would know that.

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You were talking about DNS caching yes....but the original poster wasn't and I was replying to him originally and not to you. I should have said "UNIX clone" or "copy" as FreeBSD and all flavors of Linux are so my apologies for calling it a version of linux...

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Not to be a stick in the mud, but for a network that is "humming along" i will just quote and old addage, "If it isn't broke, don't fix it", tha'ts not to say, that a server won't be more efficient for certain services but if you have no complaints with your network then you don't NEED a dedicated server. Gigabyte K8NSNXP-939 Athlon 64 3500+ Dual - Corsair TwinX CMX512-3200XL Gecube X800 XT Platinum Seagate 200 Gig Coolermaster Wavemaster Silver

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"You were talking about DNS caching yes....but the original poster wasn't" Right. The original poster was asking what to do with his FreeBSD server. "...and I was replying to him originally and not to you." No, no you weren't. You thought you were replying to the original post. You were, in fact, replying to me: "in the original post RLancon said: "you would probably benefit from running it as a print server, central file server, router" I said that, not RLancon. I've read your posts in other threads. For the most part, they consist of repeating the same simplistic advice for the same simple questions. The problem with that mentality is illustrated perfectly in this thread. You answered the question you were expecting, not the question that was actually asked. It was the question you were expecting because it's the question you know how to answer.

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Houston, you're right that "If it isn't broke, don't fix it." But unless he's using all those computers as workstations, it is very likely that some of them can be replaced by a single server. If for no other reason than to save money on electricity, I think that's a worthwhile effort.

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ROFLMAO....oh my but you do take yourself serious iamc! Simplistic advice for people with a low level of computer literacy. That tends to work quite well as the chances of them understanding an involved technical reply range somewhere from slim to nonexistent. I keep it simple for comprehension reasons. You don't see many serious computer tech's in here asking question because they either know the answer or know where to find it. Take me for example, you haven't seen me ask any questions in here.....why not? Well, because I have 10 years in industry as well as multiple certifications and if I don't know it, I know where to find it and failing that, I know who to call or email. I come in here strictly to help people who are as I described earlier....at a lower level of knowledge. If I made a mistake or replied to the wrong person, well, blame it on me answering posts at 5 am before I have my first coffee of the day. Don't take yourself so serious iamc, life is too short and this isn't a contest!

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Jeez, I'm sorry I checked back on this thread.

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"If I made a mistake or replied to the wrong person, well, blame it on me answering posts at 5 am before I have my first coffee of the day" Your posts in this thread took place over two days, and you still don't have a clue. "I come in here strictly to help people who are as I described earlier....at a lower level of knowledge." Which is exactly your problem. When you have a hammer, every problem looks like a nail. "Well, because I have 10 years in industry as well as multiple certifications..." Yes, you've mentioned that. Interesting how that comes up so quickly and so frequently when someone disagrees with you. Better than arguing the merits of your advice, I guess.

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"Jeez, I'm sorry I checked back on this thread" Yes, because god forbid anyone should actually disagree on Computing.Net. We should all be saccharine and cute, and never question bad advice or give differing or even unpopular opinions. And, of course, we should all defer to the people who post most often.

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or....we could just post a link to a site... "Yes, you've mentioned that. Interesting how that comes up so quickly and so frequently when someone disagrees with you. Better than arguing the merits of your advice, I guess." You're right, I throw that info up in EVERY post I make. Since you look at all my replies you'ld know I rarely mention it and that was the first time in this string. I notice you don't mention being employed in industry or having any kind of training or cert's. Am I to imply that you are a "hobbyist" as you put it? I did argue the merit of my advice. You mentioned a simple setup with "a print server, central file server, router " and said a server was overkill for a home network in that case. You of course mentioned DNS caching and several other services I really don't think anyone would need in a home environment. So are you trying to tell me you've never made a mistake or misread a post? hey iamc.....feel free to email me, my name on replies links to my email...it's simpler than continuing in here.

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"I notice you don't mention being employed in industry or having any kind of training or cert's. Am I to imply that you are a "hobbyist" as you put it?" I imply, you infer. You're welcome to infer anything you want. I let my advice stand on its own. You brought up your "industry experience" the instant your advice was questioned. "I throw that info up in EVERY post I make." No you don't. Just the ones in which you are challenged. Like I said, that's so much easier than arguing the merits of your advice :) "You mentioned a simple setup with "a print server, central file server, router" You still haven't read this thread carefully, have you? I gave a laundry list of services he might want to roll into his server. Which was, if you'll read, the essence of the question in the original post. You separated out the "simple" stuff from the rest in your mind. "You mentioned a simple setup with "a print server, central file server, router...and said a server was overkill" What thread are you reading? What I said was "I can think of a number of good uses for a dedicated server on a network like this, none of which are overkill." "You of course mentioned DNS caching and several other services I really don't think anyone would need in a home environment." It took you this long to give a reason for your opinion? Fine, that's perfectly valid. And I disagree. It also illustrates what happens when you get too used to people taking your advice without question. "So are you trying to tell me you've never made a mistake or misread a post?" I never said nor implied that. You don't need to be so defensive. I do not, however, perpetuate my mistakes for days after they are pointed out to me.

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You do go on....and on and on. Now you're correcting my grammar! I offered to continue in email, but I guess you prefer this forum as it gives you an audience. I would have emailed you but you don't have your email wired to your name in here....makes me wonder. Regardless, I'm done speaking to you in here as it's a no win situation. You don't wish to converse, exchange ideas, or disagree....you just want to be right and have everyone see it. Kudo's to you iamc, you're a regular hero. Oh and don't bother emailing me now....not that I think you would...

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"You don't wish to converse, exchange ideas, or disagree" Are you kidding? That's the only thing I've tried to do here. Sorry if you can't keep up, Curt.

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"I'm done speaking to you in here" No problem. I'll visit your idiocy in some other thread. Probably many other threads. "Now you're correcting my grammar!" No, just your basic use of the English language. Doesn't surprise me, really. Why bother speaking accurately or carefully when you don't read carefully?

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Thanks, guys. This useless thread is now an example in our corporate IT policy handbook. "if it ain't broke, upgrade anyway."

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