alotomeat

I looked at a few forums (and searched everywhere of course) but I really can't find answers to some basic questions. (I think there are probably others out there with these same questions.) I'm not new to computers, but I am new to networking. I am not familiar with Linux or any other of the operating systems that many in our community use, so I prefer to stick with Windows. I want to build (with spare parts) a windows 2000, preferably 2003-based computer for my home. This computer would: * Be always on and always connected to the internet * Act as file server * Gateway to internet for all wired and wireless computers/notebooks/game consoles/PDAs in the home * I want to be able have access from any computer in the home to any other computer in the home, for instance from my notebook to my workstation. * I also want automated triple redundancy for my data: 1. files would be on the home server's hard drives, 2. This home server would automatically backup files to an external USB drive on a daily basis, and 3. Files would be backed up to my website which is hosted my mediatemple.net - I have plenty of room on my server there. * I want automated protection and a hardware firewall. * Most importantly, I want the whole thing to be as automated as possible (set it and forget it, as they say). I want to put this thing in the closet and know that it will be rock solid. I will always be connected, my data secure and regularly backed up, and as safe from hacking, viruses, etc. as possible. The first thing I need to do is build the server computer, but these questions need to be answered first because they will dictate how I build my server and how I might rebuild my workstation. Questions: 1. What do I do, what hardware do I need, and what software do I need to purchase? 2. I'm not sure of the order of the networking hardware. I assume dsl modem to hardware firewall to network card on server, then out from another network card in the server to a wireless router. 3. Does the server need its own AV, Firewall, spyware, trojan, etc. protection. Won't the hardware firewall be enough? 4. Will this be a p2p or Client/server setup? (See, I told you I'm new to networking). 5. Right now, my workstation is P4 3.2, 2 GB Ram, and two WD Raptor drives in Raid 0. I do a lot of editing, and I am used to fast access to my files. The server machine right now is planned to be an AMD XP 2Ghz, 512, and I have one spare 40 GB Maxtor hard drive that I am planning to use for the OS on the server machine.Am I going to experience any latency if I am accessing my files through the network? Will it be noticable? Is it worth it to buy a newer CPU/MB combo for the server? Should I move the raptor drives to the server? (If I did, I would obviously need to replace the drives in my workstation, in which case I ask should I replace those with Raptors as well.) I don't want my work slowed down in any way; in fact, I'm hoping all this will make my work both faster and safer. 6. I'm also thinking about the future; I want this machine to be around for a number of years. Hardware failure is not my main concern - SPEED is. In four years from now when we are all running Longhorns with 6GHZ, and 8GBs of ram will this machine be obsolete. (By the way, I would love to add another couple of raptors to the server machine, all in RAID 0.) So, a summary of questions 5 and 6 would be: Is server speed dependant on the CPU, amount and speed of Ram, or the speed of hard drives? If you had to put money into these components what would you start with? 7. Lastly, is 10/100 fast enough or is 10/100/1000 hardware a necessity for my uses? That's all I can think of at the moment. Any help you guys could provide would be most welcome. Robert Henry http://www.roberthenry.org