HP ProLiant N40L Microserver - £133.96 from ServersDirect

[tb2571989]

Hi Guys,

 

I know the HP Microserver is quite popular with some of the tecchies here. HP are still doing their cashback offer - I was looking at getting one from eBuyer but the price has jumped up £10 recently. Remembered about SD and went to have a look, they're doing the N40L variant (the newest ones) for £133, inc vat, after £100 cashback. Personally I think this is a cracking deal, especially as you get a 2.5" 250GB HDD as well (I believe, anyway). If anyone can beat this please let me know, or I'll get two of these to set up as ESX hosts for playtime over the easter break - because as much as I like the full size DL360 and DL380 series, there's no way I could buy one of them to learn on

[north-ict]

I am thinking about buying this for home storage Music, videos files etc and was thinking of using linux based OS maybe even try setting up a CCTV system on it. Is it pretty straightforward getting setup?

 

I was thinking also it would be great for a learning curve for getting to understand linux better.

 

Or should i just go for a synology nas drive solution instead?

[Brucy]

I am thinking about buying this for home storage Music, videos files etc and was thinking of using linux based OS maybe even try setting up a CCTV system on it. Is it pretty straightforward getting setup?

 

I was thinking also it would be great for a learning curve for getting to understand linux better.

 

Or should i just go for a synology nas drive solution instead?

 

I went for it, but with WHS. Been pleased with it so far, the unit is nice and quiet and with LightsOut the server shuts down when nothing is active on the network. I decided on this rather then the synology because I thought it would give me more potential benefits, however it does use a bit more power if that is a factor.

[crutchfieldj]

I have one that I use as a general purpose home server, media centre and remote access station. I've put an ATi 5450 and two 1TB's in it and run Windows Server 2008 R2 and XBMC for the media.

 

Setup is dead easy and it's perfectly speedy.

Edited March 19, 2012 by crutchfieldj