Hard disk failure. What replacement? Do we need a server?

krishna

If a PC supports RAID does that mean you don't need to get anything else to make RAID work?

Also what is version control?

I couldnt see RAID as being an alternative to tape backup even if we replace the computer. As has been mentioned by others, tapes allow us offsite backups and run overnight, every night. Obviously if we can get RAID for minimal outlay then great.

Anyway I ran chkdsk today, and defrag. Didn't seem to find any problems. But the computer has now been running without problems since Monday afternoon, so may be we'll be OK. Do we need to do anything for now, or can we get away with waiting?

Omertron

krishna wrote:

If a PC supports RAID does that mean you don't need to get anything else to make RAID work?

The PC may need some drivers to make the RAID array work in windows (especially windows 2000 which may not have native drivers) but these are either supplied with the PC or downloadable from the PC makers site for free. Windows will see the RAID array as a normal disk.

krishna wrote:

I couldnt see RAID as being an alternative to tape backup even if we replace the computer. As has been mentioned by others, tapes allow us offsite backups and run overnight, every night. Obviously if we can get RAID for minimal outlay then great.

Exactly my point, though if you bought a new PC I would imagine that most PC makers would add and configure the RAID system for you, for example Dell will configure RAID for you for free if you add the extra drive during the configure and buy stage.

krishna wrote:

Anyway I ran chkdsk today, and defrag. Didn't seem to find any problems. But the computer has now been running without problems since Monday afternoon, so may be we'll be OK. Do we need to do anything for now, or can we get away with waiting?

As Albertross has said, I'd make sure that you can perform a system restore test on the data that you are backing up, just to be on the safe side. It's no good backing it all up if you can't restore it

mr_fishbulb

wolfman wrote:

If you just need a computer for serving files (a file server so to speak) then you certainly don't need something so expensive. Not sure what you mean by P2P network either, you may have misunderstood what P2P is.

I think he means client-to-client as in a workgroup rather than a domain network.

krishna - If you are just looking for somewhere to store your files and are happy with the way your network currently runs then look into gettting some network attached storage (NAS). Basically it's a hard drive with a network cable that sits on its own (just plugged into the network, not into a PC). All the PCs can access it and you can still make tape backups of it.

If you have a machine you keep on all the time then use it as the print server, otherwise just get a £200 machine for that - you don't even need a monitor.

No need for a massive server.

irnbru_2

krishna wrote:

Also what is version control?

I think someone's taken you off in an unnecessary direction.

Version control is used to store the state of documents in a repository.

Say you publish a webpage, you'ld store that in the repository. Someone changes the page contents and saves a new version in the repository. They publish that page on the site. You don't like it. Instead of editing the page you restore the previous version from the repository. That's version control.

In your case I doubt you need it.

Your priorities should be:

1. Confirm you can restorte from your back up if you haven't done so already.
2. Have your troublesome PC checked.
3. Budget for two new base units. One for yourself, one as the server.
4. Add to that the cost of their support plus say another £300

That should give you a budget of about 1800GBP

Now gets some quotes in from companies who'll do exactly what you want.
If your still unsure, find a freelance support engineer in your locality who can help you spec what you actually require for the forseeable future, as well as helping with 1 and 2.

wolfman

I'd agree with irnbru, budget for two machines. One as your machine the other as a basic server. The server basically needs a standard cpu, reasonable amount of memory and a couple of hard disks.

I mentioned Version Control. Not as an alternative, just as an extra to make a complete system.

If it were me, and the budget permitted, I would use a RAID setup within the server (to reduce downtime and to have a full, up to the second onsite backup). I'd also use tapes as a less frequent backup (daily maybe) and take them offsite for added security.

Finally, version control can be very useful. I guess it depends upon the files/data you have. Anything where you're editing database (ie access) or code (you mentioned dreamweaver) it's very handy to have version control. It helps create a more solid process as everything is versioned, and if you make a mistake you can revert to the last version. You can also keep track of who is making what changes. For the added functionality, and the fact it's free, it's definitely something worth considering if you get a basic server.

That then gives you three levels of depth. RAID, tapes, and version control. Each a different technology and providing a different service.