I just sold one, i wont be buying a MDD again... too slow and too noisy.. and cost an arm and a leg if you wanna max it out in specs...
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PowerMac G4/G5 as a file server?
- Thread starter njaremka
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Hello all,
I am about to buy a dual core powermac g5 for a file/media server. My needs will be to access large video files to edit in FCP and keep big files off my MBP. But I also want to stream movies and photos to my PS3. Lastly, I'd like to have running a torrent client 24/7 and to be able to manage it from my MBP as the G5 would be hidden in the closet with no screen.
I tried the GoFlex Home NAS but it is a joke. Any tips or recommendations for me? Software to stream or anything you'd like to add its welcome.
Cheers,
David V.
I am about to buy a dual core powermac g5 for a file/media server. My needs will be to access large video files to edit in FCP and keep big files off my MBP. But I also want to stream movies and photos to my PS3. Lastly, I'd like to have running a torrent client 24/7 and to be able to manage it from my MBP as the G5 would be hidden in the closet with no screen.
I tried the GoFlex Home NAS but it is a joke. Any tips or recommendations for me? Software to stream or anything you'd like to add its welcome.
Cheers,
David V.
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I use a Hackintosh for mainly the same purposes (substitute an Apple TV for the PS3).
For torrents just use transmission, it has a built in web interface that is great to access from any computer or even from your phone on wifi or 3G.
You can even upload torrent files via copy and pasting the URL into the web interface on your phone... very slick.
For A file server a G4 would be enough. Some powermac G4's have 4 drive bays native while the powermac G5 has only two.
Hard to pass on this deal, great shape G5 for 150 dlls
I assume OS X can stream files in the correct codec to the PS3 right?
Yes, if it's encoded in a compatible codec inside a compatible container to begin with. Otherwise you'd need to re-encode the file, which would take a lot of processing power.
Hard to pass on this deal, great shape G5 for 150 dlls
I assume OS X can stream files in the correct codec to the PS3 right?
I'm pretty sure you'll be needing an app to stream to your PS3.
Building G4 File Server as Well...
I've posted here a few times about what to do with my old G4 and many of you have replied with very helpful comments. So first - thank you.
That said I have given more thought to what I want to do with my G4 and have more detailed specs/questions for you to weigh in on.
I using a G4 MDD dual 867Mhz with the max 2GB of ram.
I plan on doing a fresh install of OSX 10.4 tiger to make it a file server mainly for serving and storing large photos - photoshop files to my MBP along with the jpg's. I have a couple questions in regards to the best way to set this up to maximize it for speed and performance in regards to the drives etc - not wanting to upgrade CPU, etc. This will be in my home.
Questions:
1) This is going to be a quasi-production environment, so I'll be using the mirrored raid setup within OSX. Would I be better served to use two 2-port sata cards or just one 4-port?
2) Based on reading I should stick to the Firmtek cards? Any other options that don't cost an arm and a leg for marginal improvements?
3) It will be wired to my Gigabit router (the MBP will be connecting via 802.11N on the 5Ghz channel) - However I plan on it being quite a distance away - roughly 100ft. Will this distance cause a problem with transfer speeds (~50mb files)?
4) I plan on leaving it in the garage where temps run from 15F to 110F - will this kill it? Should be little to no condensation. I've asked this here before and got mixed answers...so still unsure on this.
5) Server grade HDD's or regular desktop? I've also read that buying server grade drives is best for a server of this type. Is this necessary? I'll probably schedule the server to shutdown at 11pm and startup at 7am daily. Drive recommendations are welcome and needed - 1TB or greater (haven't fully decided on total TB's yet).
I think that is it - thanks all!!
I've posted here a few times about what to do with my old G4 and many of you have replied with very helpful comments. So first - thank you.
That said I have given more thought to what I want to do with my G4 and have more detailed specs/questions for you to weigh in on.
I using a G4 MDD dual 867Mhz with the max 2GB of ram.
I plan on doing a fresh install of OSX 10.4 tiger to make it a file server mainly for serving and storing large photos - photoshop files to my MBP along with the jpg's. I have a couple questions in regards to the best way to set this up to maximize it for speed and performance in regards to the drives etc - not wanting to upgrade CPU, etc. This will be in my home.
Questions:
1) This is going to be a quasi-production environment, so I'll be using the mirrored raid setup within OSX. Would I be better served to use two 2-port sata cards or just one 4-port?
2) Based on reading I should stick to the Firmtek cards? Any other options that don't cost an arm and a leg for marginal improvements?
3) It will be wired to my Gigabit router (the MBP will be connecting via 802.11N on the 5Ghz channel) - However I plan on it being quite a distance away - roughly 100ft. Will this distance cause a problem with transfer speeds (~50mb files)?
4) I plan on leaving it in the garage where temps run from 15F to 110F - will this kill it? Should be little to no condensation. I've asked this here before and got mixed answers...so still unsure on this.
5) Server grade HDD's or regular desktop? I've also read that buying server grade drives is best for a server of this type. Is this necessary? I'll probably schedule the server to shutdown at 11pm and startup at 7am daily. Drive recommendations are welcome and needed - 1TB or greater (haven't fully decided on total TB's yet).
I think that is it - thanks all!!
Apple is at fault for not sound deadening their case enough and possibly using OEM drives that are loud. Especially for how much they would have "charged" for said drives.
My question is what is the best X version for a server? I could not get windows shared drives to mount in Tiger. I cannot get Leopard on my 777 QS without trickery, my pata card does nto work with newer Xs and my SATA cards do not work with older ones.............not sure what to do.
My question is what is the best X version for a server? I could not get windows shared drives to mount in Tiger. I cannot get Leopard on my 777 QS without trickery, my pata card does nto work with newer Xs and my SATA cards do not work with older ones.............not sure what to do.
I can only answer one of your questions.
I don't think any computer will survive for too long in an environment where it's 15 degrees and the computer is being turned on and off.
If you were to leave it on 24/7 and maybe put it inside a small cabinet during the winter it's exhaust could keep the cabinet closer to normal operating temperatures.
You'd probably need to have the machine indoors for it to be room temp before bringing it out to the cabinet to boot it.
But as far as I know starting a machine that's that cold wouldn't be a good idea.
Also I wouldn't be surprised if the hard drives had trouble operating normally at temperatures that low.
I now plan on keeping it running 24/7.
I need to see what the actual temps will be in the garage. It's going down to 20 this weekend.
I need to see what the actual temps will be in the garage. It's going down to 20 this weekend.
The Quicksilver 2002 and newer have LBA support, so they can handle large drives without the need to buy a controller.
FYI there is a SW solution to the large drive limitation. I will have to look up what it is called but I was running it in a >2002 Quicksilver.
PC options?
I've had Mac's for years, the family started with a Mac Plus and my mum just picked up a MBP 15 inch with Lion.
But a few years back I needed a PC for programing at school, so over time I turned it into a server. New with my current PC I have 160Gb for the C drive, with 1Tb & 2Tb drives for my media files, with space for a 3rd when prices come back down.
I've explored using older Mac's but found they are limited in connection options without adding cards and the MacPro is just too expensive, even is they can hold 4 SATA HDDs. For the money it's cheaper to get a NAS, which would use far less power.
The PC offers more for less IMO plus it gives me the flexibility to run PC software natively if there is no Mac option.
ETA - actually I do have a couple of questions about turning my G5 into a file server.
1) Do I need the server version of OSX to turn my G5 into a server?
2) How do I set up remote access to control the G5 so I don't need a monitor.
3) Will the G5 work with newer 3Tb drives to maximize the storage?
I've had Mac's for years, the family started with a Mac Plus and my mum just picked up a MBP 15 inch with Lion.
But a few years back I needed a PC for programing at school, so over time I turned it into a server. New with my current PC I have 160Gb for the C drive, with 1Tb & 2Tb drives for my media files, with space for a 3rd when prices come back down.
I've explored using older Mac's but found they are limited in connection options without adding cards and the MacPro is just too expensive, even is they can hold 4 SATA HDDs. For the money it's cheaper to get a NAS, which would use far less power.
The PC offers more for less IMO plus it gives me the flexibility to run PC software natively if there is no Mac option.
ETA - actually I do have a couple of questions about turning my G5 into a file server.
1) Do I need the server version of OSX to turn my G5 into a server?
2) How do I set up remote access to control the G5 so I don't need a monitor.
3) Will the G5 work with newer 3Tb drives to maximize the storage?
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No, just enable file sharing in System Preferences.
Enable screen sharing in System Preferences.
Yes.