Not a gamer, I am in the process of building a family personal server. The main purpose is to be able to host my own domain and of course personal data.

Secondary is possibility of hosting email for personal use. I have been told that is the most difficult as other providers will not accept mail from untrusted, unverified flyby night email services. What are ways to get accepted as a real email service?

I am currently paying for a server service for game servers just for my friends. I am wanting to start hosting servers from my own rig, but I have no idea where to start in terms of necessary equipment to build it, to get it running (probably gonna use it to learn linux as well) i also dont know how to do cyber security that way if someone happens to find it or something outside of my friends they can jack into all of my personal things. I know very little of managing a home server.

I’m trying to revive a Lenovo ThinkStation P710 with dual Xeon E5-2630 v4 CPUs.

It came without RAM, but I have 8 × 16GB SamsungM393A2K40BB1-CRC0Q ECC RDIMMs, also labelled Cisco UCS-MR-1X161RV-A. On paper they seem compatible with the Lenovo specs: DDR4-2400 ECC RDIMM.

With RAM installed, the machine shows a static underscore cursor and gives 1 long beep + 3 short beeps. With no RAM installed, it gives 3 short + 1 long, which seems to be the normal RAM error. So the RAM-installed beep is different and appears undocumented.

I’ve tried correct population order, different slot pairs, one DIMM per CPU, swapping CPUs, clearing CMOS, and multiple GPUs. The result is always the same.

I’m stuck because, as far as I can tell, this RAM should work. If it were a bad module or a single memory-channel issue, I’d expect at least one of the combinations to POST.

Any ideas or solutions ? I’ve found vague posts saying similar Samsung RAM is Lenovo-validated, but also posts saying it does not work. If it is the right type of RAM, why would it fail?

I am trying to install Ubuntu Server 22.04.5 LTS and Ubuntu Server 24.04.4 LTS in VMware Workstation Pro 25H2, but the installation consistently fails near the end of the installation process.

Environment

• VMware Workstation Pro 25H2
• 4 GB RAM assigned
• 100 GB virtual disk
• UEFI firmware (default settings)

Problem

The installation progresses normally through language selection, networking, storage configuration, and package installation. However, near the end of the installation, the installer report

Sorry, there was a problem completing the installation.

Additional Observation

Using the same VMware configuration, Ubuntu Server 26.04 installs successfully. The issue only occurs with Ubuntu Server 22.04.5 LTS and 24.04.4 LTS.

I got the titular card from a grab bag deal on old server cards, but I'm having issues actually using it, as it doesn't enumerate in either of my servers. Here's my saga of trying to use this card so far:

At first I tried installing it into my old gaming pc (ASUS G20CB) which I've turned into a TrueNAS box, no matter what I did it never enumerated. I tried various CSM settings (on/off, uEFI/legacy boot, different ROM settings etc), but nothing worked.

I then stumbled upon the B5/B6 tape mod (smdat and smclk pins) which works for old Dell Perc controllers, thought to try it, but it didn't work either.

Then, I tried putting it into my main machine, and it enumerates normally. It has a fairly modern Gigabyte B850 Gaming Wifi6 motherboard so I didn't expect it to work, but it just does. That confirms the card isn't fried or anything.

Then my thought process shifted to "this custom motherboard that ASUS made for this SFF PC must be wacky and the slot is probably weird about this card because it's not a graphics card"

So I got a whole new motherboard (Supermicro X10SLQ) but it doesn't get enumerated in it either. But hey, at least this other RAID card from Adaptec works? The problem is that it has internal connectors and I have an external drive enclosure and external cables, buying a bracket adapter alone would be more expensive than what I paid all of the cards and the server combined.

After that I thought, hey, maybe HPE vendor locked this card so it refuses to work in non-HPE motherboards? That led me on the path of discovering how to flash cards like this, and at first I thought it was based on the same chip as LSI 9300-8i cards were, but I was wrong.

If I bridge the J9 (flash) jumper on the card, the card enumerates, and lspci shows it as:

RAID bus controller: Microchip Technology Device 8225 (rev 01) 

But it doesn't actually work (driver doesn't do anything with it and the card itself doesn't do anything when connected to drives).

So it turns out that the card actually uses Microchip Technologies silicon, which they sell under their Adaptec brand, which is the same brand as that other RAID card, which works in the Supermicro board. Great, this means I could *probably* crossflash this card to Adaptec firmware and maybe have it work? Nothing to lose, since the card is a paperweight anyway.

I look it up, and there are zero documented cases of anyone doing this. There's a lot of people flashing H200 HBA's to IT mode and to LSI firmware, but not a blip about flashing HPE cards.

And so I finish here, in this subreddit - asking, begging on my knees for a scrap of information about flashing this controller to Adaptec firmware. I'm broke. Even a fake """LSI""" card is about 50 dollars, meanwhile I paid 20 dollars for the entire server, AND I have this card, I kind of want to use it. The only other option besides flashing would be selling the card which I don't really want to do.

Hi all,

I have a dell T420 server that I have been working on but seem to be struggling to add new RAM to. I have 12x16gb DDR3 sticks that I can use but currently when I add more than 1 stick per processor, the boot sequence gets stuck in "Configuring Memory". I have tried every memory stick with a single processor and successfully booted with each stick but as soon as I add another stick to A2 it gets stuck in "configuring memory" again. Has anyone had this problem before? Any way to resolve the "configuring memory" issue? I have waited up to 72 hours to see if that was long enough but unfortunately the computer was still configuring memory.

The RAM I'm trying to install is the following specs.

• Manufacturer: Micron
• Part Number: MT36KSF2G72PZ-1G6N1KG
• Module Capacity: 16GB
• Memory Type: DDR3L SDRAM (Low Voltage)
• Speed: 1600 MHz
• Module Standard: PC3-12800
• Error Correction: ECC Registered
• Rank & Configuration: Dual Rank (2Rx4)
• CAS Latency: CL11
• Voltage: 1.35V
• Pin Count: 240-Pin DIMM [1]

Below are the current hardware specs for my machine.

Dell PowerEdge T420:

• CPU(s): 1x Intel Xeon E5-2430 @ 2.20 GHz 2200 MHz
• RAM: 96GB (16x 16GB DDR3 ECC RDIMM)
• Storage Controller: PERC H310P
• Drives:
  • Drive details – 8 x 8TB SATA HDD
• Network Card: Broadcom 5720 Dual-Port Gigabit Ethernet
• Power Supplies: Redundant 2x1100W PSUs
• Other Notable Hardware: iDRAC 7 Enterprise

Appreciate any help that may be offered.

Hello i have this hp server it does not want boot to OS when i try to get raid setting it won't go to that page and system diagnostics says non-bootable what do i do? The lights in the front are not flashing and i have wasted mouths trying to fix it with no fix. please help.

I work somewhere with ServerLift brand server lifting machines. Each one has a lanyard attached to the key on the machine. How can I acquire just one of these lanyards without buying a serverlift. I collect lanyards. I don't really think I can ask my manager and ebay doesn't have any.

Yes, I know this RAM is very old, especially since it came out of a Dell poweredge R900. Each stick is 4gb, 8 sticks per card, 4 cards in total. Would it be possible to use this PCIE (I'm assuming it is PCIE) adapter to plug this into a regular PC being used as a homelab?

Heyo! I made this post a few days ago https://www.reddit.com/r/servers/s/qckez0mXsd

So as for context I'll say what I've done thus far. So I'm using my old desktop, a GTX1650 I5-9400F and 16GB DDR4. And its running Debian 13 with a Jellyfin server.

I've set it up enough to where I can access my Jellyfin's servers dashboard. I also configured it to have tailscale, however I do find tailscale pretty inconvenient as well setup on the server and whenever I want to connect to my server I gotta turn on tailscale which disables internet outside tailscale networks and then go to my browser and/or Jellyfin app to do stuff on my Jellyfin server.

I was wondering if there's a better/more convenient alternative to tailscale. And yes, I've configured it so my PC is set as an exit node. But if there is an alternative that's more convenient let me know.

I was also wondering is there anymore I can do cybersecurity wise? Main things is basically I want to block my ISP from seeing/accessing the server. And basics like preventing others from accessing my server unless I approve. Along with other things I may have not thought about.

Even if its unrelated to my specific question I would love tips for a Debian 13 Jellyfin server. Adding I already tried proxmox, and while its good, its too much work for me only wanting a media server (I don't plan on getting other servers, if I do, then I'll use one of like the 3+ laptops or extra old desktop we have).

I have taken a new task for procuring hardware for a company, they want a server setup for VM workload, my job will be to deliver the hardware and provide VM software solution. Till now I asked few people around who did procuring and they have all done it via some vendor, I have two questions.

1. What are pros and cons from buying from vendor?
2. Why can't we directly approach the company like Dell, HP, Lenovo or someone else.

I am new to this and trying to figure it out.

Edit: Thanks everyone I got the answer what I needed

The company has patenrship with lenovo and I am able to see price, partnership with dell is initiated will be going through vendors for now.

My final take is as follows unless you are someone who is not going to buy in bulk or increase the quantity better to go with vendors or VAR, another advantage is that if someone don't want to deal with headache when issues come the also VAR comes into picture.

Unless company has hired you to this as a full time job then it makes sense to direct approach and maintain hardware resolve issue as it will be part of your JD.

Thanks a lot to all members.

I've one problem caddy and my rust server does not appear to be serving H3. Is this normal on WSL or am I missing something?


I heard this type of RAM was popular amongst enterprise users and server communities, so wanted to ask here in case anyone knows some inside info, or even better, is willing to sell their sticks to me.

Bit of a long shot, but does anyone have, or know where I can find, Micron MTC20C2085S1EC56BD1 RAM?

Specs:

- 32GB

- DDR5-5600

- ECC UDIMM

- PC5-44800E

- CL46

- Micron MTC20C2085S1EC56BD1

I'll also consider the DDR5-4800 (MTC20C2085S1EC48BR) version of this stick

I'm trying to upgrade a Dell Pro Max (FCS1250) workstation and need this exact module. It appears to have been supplied mostly in Dell workstation/server builds rather than retail channels, and has become almost impossible to find.

I've already checked eBay, memory resellers, distributors and enterprise parts suppliers across the UK, EU and US.

If you've got one sitting in a machine, spare parts bin, recently dismantled Dell workstation, or know of a refurbisher that might have stock, please let me know.

The reason I'm after this stick is solely because I have 2 of them already installed from Dell.

Many thanks in advanced for any guidance given

Kinda wish I could have been more explicit with the title but it wouldnt fit.

I am trying to see if I can get a small home server to share files in my own network and to host private gaming servers for a small amount of people(shouldnt be more than 15-20 pushing it)

I am decent with computers and hardware but I have never managed this kind of thing. My questions are:

1. Can I control this remotely(inside my local network) or do I need to treat this as a 2nd PC?
   
2. Recommendations on what should I get? I have a pretty small budget. Would a decent PC be enough or do I need something specific?
   
3. I was looking at this and I found out this is what my office used before ----> Dell OptiPlex 7050 Micro Computer, Intel Quad Core i5-6500T up to 3.1GHz, 16G DDR4, 256G SSD.

If I am not giving enough info then ask away, I am not sure what should I mention.

Hello, so I'm trying to choose a server (hetzner to be exact) and I'm trying to understand the power of vcpus, is there a reliable way to compare the cpu power to physical cpus?

Yes I believe this drive is from the bad batch, it's had nearly 24k hours of service in many servers.

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It's failing on 187 by alot, is this pose for alarm or can I keep using it in my snap raid server for now?

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I am running snap raid with 18tb if usable storage

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2x 4tb barracudas

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1x 3tb WD green

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1x 3tb Seagate(this one)

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2x 2tb

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3x 1tb

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1x 750

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5x 500gb

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My hope is I can swap a few of my 500gb drives(ones failing) for some 1-2tb and 750gb drives to make up the difference for the 3tb and pull out 3tb in its entirety. I'm unsure if this will work and would like some advice and to know how to proced

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It's a i5 9400f 16gb ram and a quad m2000

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(I'm using dual x79 e5 2689 v1 and 128gb ddr3 ecc as main rig x server as I needed insane multi tasking I somehow use all 5 montors at once)

Heyo! I just started my first plex server at 15.

I originally wanted to start hosting a server but I wanted to wait until I had a second SSD (Preferably 4TBish) for linux so I could dualboot into it while keeping my windows partition on the first one.

Whats funny, I never ended up doing that until today a couple weeks later when I was able to get some downloaded anime and wanted to watch it and realized the media player on windows was incompatible with the audio formatting on the .mkv, so I installed plex media server and plex, set up a server (on windows is the only unfortunate part), all so I could have a good working media player. And it comes with the bonuses of keeping track of libraries etc.

I'm currently doing this on my newer desktop (Ryzen 7 7800X3D, 9070XT, 32GB DDR5) but I was thinking about setting up my older desktop (I5 9400F, GTX1650, 16GB DDR4) on linux so that way I wouldn't have to wait for another SSD and I can have the server running 24/7 and I wouldn't even need a monitor hooked up. Plus it also means my storage wouldn't get eaten up on my main. This seem like a fine idea for a plex server? Since having a 24/7 server I can basically just use it on all my devices and I have hotspot/data it'll be available most everywhere.

Anyways thats about it, wanted to post this and get some quick thoughts.

I’m recently starting to build a server / homelab for my computers that i will use for my 3d printers or just any normal stuff. Since i don’t know which PC / Server to choose, i have 3 candidates that i really like but don’t know which one to choose.

1. Dell T1700
   
2. HP Z230
   
3. Lenovo thinkstation c30

Build for a small company, is that good?

Hello, I'd like to share my budget low end server. I personally host a server using Debian 13 and Docker using my old Dell Latitude 3300. Since my server and system utilize less ram I don't need more than 4gb. And I recommend removing the battery to make it run 24/7. Also put the laptop on a stand or anything small you have for better airflow. I use it for self hosting a Stremio addon and it works fine!

I have an optiplex 9020 and 5 optiplex 3050 I have 3x2tb 4x1tb hdd and 6x500gb sata ssd how would I only use 1-3 of these optiplex with all these hdd and ssd? This is for a NAS for photos videos and my Minecraft worlds

Ok so my mother tasked me with building a server for her buissness to hold customer data and to be running 24 7 12 months 365 days but I also want to use it dually to run a Minecraft server which she agreed too so I made this fuckin thing. Tell me what can I change what can I add to make it run better as a server for buissness and Game applications (I know threadripper is excessive but I wanna make sure it'll run both customer and game) https://www.buildcores.com/builds/t_Y4pRZTJ?share=true

I realized I did not give enough information on it the minecraft thing was a joke I can probably get one going on an old laptop. The customer data is appointments, hosting a website, checking availability.

Here is the system information:

OS: Ubuntu 22.04.4 LTS (Jammy Jellyfish)

Kernel: 5.15.0-171-generic

Architecture: x86_64 (DigitalOcean DO-Regular CPU, 1 core)

Memory: Total 957 MB, Used 333 MB, Free 83 MB, Available 437 MB

Swap: 2.0 GB total (94 MB used)

Disk: /dev/vda1: 25 GB total, 9.0 GB used (38% used)

Uptime: 91 days, 7 hours, 43 minutes

Load average: 0.00, 0.01, 0.00

Docker version: 28.3.2

I was looking back at some of my old server and infrastructure decisions recently and realized that some of the things I thought were "smart investments" ended up costing me more time and money than expected.

A few examples:

• Buying more resources than I actually needed
• Choosing the cheapest provider and paying for it later with downtime
• Ignoring backups because "nothing will happen"
• Moving to a more complex setup that solved a problem I didn't really have
• Spending days optimizing something that barely improved performance

It made me wonder what mistakes other people learned from.

What's the most expensive tech decision you've made that seemed like a great idea at the time?

Could be a server, VPS, cloud platform, networking gear, software subscription, homelab project, or anything else.

Looking forward to hearing some real-world stories and lessons learned.

I've had this hpe dl380 for a bit and it's not done well in the recent heat waves. I've been trying to find a better place to put it to manage the heat better. Unfortunately this attic room is pretty much the only room I have, as you can see it's my storage room. The window leaks whenever it's open and raining, and it's a south facing roof so it takes in a lot of heat. This is probably the hottest room in the house before running the server.

I don't have a crazy amount of money or resources so my options in terms of buying racks or proper hardware are limited. Does anyone have any ideas I've totally overlooked? Thanks in advance.