small, silent "server"

6 risposte [Ultimo contenuto]
cmhobbs
Offline
Iscritto: 06/24/2013

Does anyone have recommendations for (preferably Freedom respecting) small, silent computers? Probably something with SSD disks. I just discovered my VPN service provides a static external IP and I'm considering hooking up some services locally from my home.

Thanks!

lembas
Offline
Iscritto: 05/13/2010

Here's one page you might want to see
https://www.fsf.org/resources/hw/single-board-computers

GNUser
Offline
Iscritto: 07/17/2013

The best (in terms of power consumption and features) are in fact the single-board computers. Even though it looks like the FSF does not approve of those, if you read carefully the link Lembas provided, you will notice that most of the time is because the graphics card requires non-free drivers and such... Which is of no problem, since you will only run an email server, you don't need 3d graphics or anything, so you can run those using ONLY free software.
I have no experience with those machines, so, I can't really say which one is better. But I remember reading that the beagleboards could run on a really low power consumption. Take a look at the link lembas provided and investigate the ones that the FSF considers "can run free software but needs non-free for wifi and graphics". You can add an external wifi later on (thinkpenguin has those that are compatible with free software).
Hope it helps.
And congratulations on running your own email server =D Wish I could do the same. You are much better off that way.

Andresm

I am a member!

Offline
Iscritto: 11/21/2010

think pinguin provides the type of computer you like.

i find acer aspire one netbook zg5 to be good ssd with linpus preinstalled and available second hand. never used it as home server.
pleaselet us know howyou get on.

GNUser
Offline
Iscritto: 07/17/2013

I still think single board will use less electricity. A machine that will be on 24/7 would be better with a lower power consumption. Just my thoughts =)

ssdclickofdeath
Offline
Iscritto: 05/18/2013

A laptop that I plan to use as a server, a Dell latitude D510, uses about 25kWh, but I'm not sure what a SBC uses.

lembas
Offline
Iscritto: 05/13/2010

My cursory browsing about would indicate that SBCs use about one tenth of that.

I mean around 2.5 W. :)