![\"Atom\"](\"http:\/\/mightyohm.com\/files\/flickr\/4915137928_64c733f679.jpg\")
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For the past three years, I have been using a Linkstation Live<\/a> for my home server. \u00a0When I bought it, it seemed ideally suited to my needs – it’s small, consumes under 30W full-load, and can be hacked to run Linux (I was running Debian<\/a>). \u00a0It’s primary purpose is to serve files (functioning as a NAS device, as Buffalo intended), but I also use it for some more interesting things, such as hosting a subversion repository, serving music with mt-daapd<\/a>, and managing a small VPN.<\/p>\n I started outgrowing the ARM9-based Linkstation at least a year ago – it was bogging down under the load of the many services it was running. \u00a0However, earlier this year Debian Etch became unsupported<\/a>, meaning that I was no longer receiving security updates – a potentially major problem for a server that has a few ports open to the ‘net.<\/p>\n I started thinking about building a replacement using more modern, faster parts, but still keeping the server’s footprint small – both in terms of space and energy consumption.<\/p>\n After doing some research, I discovered the mini-ITX standard for motherboards and the Intel Atom D510 dual-core processor. \u00a0When combined with the right case, these would yield the perfect home-server for my needs.<\/p>\n Here’s my build list. \u00a0All parts are from Newegg.com:<\/p>\n Foxconn RS233 Black+Light Silver Computer Case<\/a> SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 1TB 3.5″ SATA 3.0Gb\/s Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive<\/a> StarTech BRACKET Metal 3.5″ to 5.25″ Drive Adapter Bracket<\/a> Note: Prices listed are current as 9\/17\/10 and are subject to change.<\/em><\/p>\n The total for all parts at the time I bought them was \u00a0just under $250 (excluding shipping). \u00a0Not bad! \u00a0As of today (9\/17\/10), the prices have gone up slightly and the total is $257.93, although the Hitachi hard drive I bought has already been discontinued. \u00a0 Newegg frequently has deals on 1TB 3.5″ drives, so finding another one in the $55-$65 range should be pretty easy if you look around.<\/p>\n Here are most of the parts waiting to be assembled:<\/p>\n I spent a lot of time looking for a case, and I’m extremely happy with the Foxconn RS233 Mini ITX case I found.<\/p>\n Everything fit very nice inside, including a 2nd 3.5″ hard drive I had lying around that is used for backups. \u00a0(The 2nd hard drive is installed in the 5.25″ bay, using adapter brackets.)<\/p>\n I added a short power supply extension cable to the motherboard power connector. \u00a0This is because the 150W PSU that comes with the Foxconn case has a short power cable that can’t reach the motherboard power connector without stretching. \u00a0It can be forced to fit, but the extension was inexpensive and gives me some peace of mind.<\/p>\n I initially had some problems with hard drive temperatures, but installing this clean-looking grill in place of the 5.25″ bay cover solved that. \u00a0For testing, I just left the cover off the bay completely, which provides great ventilation but allows cat hair to rapidly collect inside the case.<\/p>\n I also covered the case’s top vent to keep the exhaust fans from sucking air through there instead of through the front of the case (past the hard drives and CPU).<\/p>\n Here is the finished server. \u00a0It’s small!<\/p>\n I spent a couple evenings installing and configuring\u00a0Ubuntu Server 10.04 LTS<\/a>, which I am very happy with so far. \u00a0It did force me to learn how to completely install and configure Ubuntu via the command-line (Server doesn’t install a GUI), but it was all stuff I mostly knew already, and I probably gained some geek-cred. \u00a0\ud83d\ude09<\/p>\n While I still have a few things left to set up (OpenVPN takes a bit of configuring), I’m very happy with the performance of this box. \u00a0While a dual core Atom is nothing compared to a typical desktop machine today, this machine is lightning-fast compared to the 200MHz ARM9 it replaced. \u00a0For a small home server, this is a perfect solution.<\/p>\n Power consumption is about 35W with both drives spinning, about 30W idle. \u00a0Just a few watts more than the Linkstation, for a system with >1.5GB more memory and what feels like 10x the processing power!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" For the past three years, I have been using a Linkstation Live for my home server. \u00a0When I bought it, it seemed ideally suited to my needs – it’s small, consumes under 30W full-load, and can be hacked to run Linux (I was running Debian). \u00a0It’s primary purpose is to serve files (functioning as a … Continue reading Budget mini-ITX home server build<\/span> – $44.99 (includes 150W PSU)
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\nIntel BOXD510MO Intel Atom D510 Mini ITX Motherboard\/CPU Combo<\/a> – $79.99
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\nPQI POWER Series 2GB 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Desktop Memory<\/a> – $38.99<\/p>\n
HITACHI Deskstar HD31000 1TB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb\/s 3.5″ Internal Hard Drive – $64.99<\/del> (no longer listed @ Newegg)<\/p>\n – $58.99\u00a0(a good substitute)<\/p>\n
– $11.99
\n(For mounting a 2nd hard drive.)
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\nAthena Power 10 ” Extension & Conversion Four-In-One9<\/a> – $6.99
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\nXion XON-DRBY525MB 5.25″ Driver Bay Cover Kit, Mesh, Black<\/a> – $9.99<\/p>\n
![\"New](\"http:\/\/mightyohm.com\/files\/flickr\/4915131258_a396ce4793.jpg\")
<\/p>\n![\"Foxconn](\"http:\/\/mightyohm.com\/files\/flickr\/4915131484_6989ee8737.jpg\")
<\/p>\n![\"New](\"http:\/\/mightyohm.com\/files\/flickr\/4937152686_88e6809202.jpg\")
<\/p>\n![\"Grill](\"http:\/\/mightyohm.com\/files\/flickr\/4143\/4937153346_4c30464641.jpg\")
<\/p>\n![\"Top](\"http:\/\/mightyohm.com\/files\/flickr\/4936566459_fa735e249c.jpg\")
<\/p>\n![\"Finished\"](\"http:\/\/mightyohm.com\/files\/flickr\/4936568143_848f8e2309.jpg\")
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