DHCP questions

[Dekade]

When using DHCP to make Amahi work does it cut out the router? In other words - If I have the server machine turned off will I still be able to access the internet? I will be using a Desktop PC converted into an Amahi Server. I am not really interested in the cost of electricity to run it 24/7 and I don't have the money to bring into play even a lost cost server. I would like to be able to turn off the PC Server but still access the internet. However, I really the like the concept of a VPN which I would like to ultimately also bring into play.

[bigfoot65]

When using DHCP to make Amahi work does it cut out the router?

Yes, your router will not longer be supplying DHCP leases to the network.

In other words - If I have the server machine turned off will I still be able to access the internet?

No. Once the HDA is off, the DHCP server will go with it.

Based on your desire for a part time server, it's best you not use the HDA for DHCP.

[Dekade]

Based on your desire for a part time server, it's best you not use the HDA for DHCP.

What in turn do I use and how do I set it up? Is my desire to eventually set up a VPN affected?

[bigfoot65]

What in turn do I use and how do I set it up? Is my desire to eventually set up a VPN affected?

My point was to leave your router as the DHCP server vs the HDA.

Since it's on 24/7, it will ensure you can access the internet anytime regardless if the HDA is on or off.

[Dekade]

My point was to leave your router as the DHCP server vs the HDA.
Since it's on 24/7, it will ensure you can access the internet anytime regardless if the HDA is on or off.

Generally speaking, what do I lose not using the HDA? I have a 4 year old Quad 2 core (Q9550) PC that I want to be an Amahi server. I would be placing the Amahi onto a 200 GB Seagate 7200rpm HDD and storing data on a WD_RED_2TB NAS drive.

I am EXTREMELY new to the server world. However, I have done peer-to-peer networking for many years via all the Windows Explorer versions. I messed around with FreeNAS for a while last week and ended up totally disgusted at everything about it. Everything is so technical and involved.

I have zeroed in on Amahi - but - am still intimidated to a degree. I do not want to get my whole system all screwed up with the DHCP stuff that I am not fully understanding. Your website testimonies seem absolutely great but as I run through the install docs it seems as though things could really get messed up; especially once I start in on the Amahi 9 section.

I am also apprehensive about the comments I have read about the mess on one's hands should the Amahi server go down. Like the following excerp:

... Once installed, the first thing Amahi wants to do is to manage your DHCP and internal DNS. Why on earth would I want this done when my router does it for me? Is this a good idea? Yes, providing your Amahi Server doesn’t go down. If it does for whatever reason, then name resolution will fail on your internal network, and no one will be able to connect to the internet until you either bring the Amahi Server back up again, or you reconfigure your router to perform that function. [Read: How to setup port forwarding on a router?]...http://www.htpcbeginner.com/amahi-home- ... -solution/

Then I read that one has to go back into the router for port forwarding and such. Maybe I'm going too deep into the whole Amahi end result. I want something to just be up and running and handle my files in a 2 person small office home office environment. I won't be using it for media at all. Just files, CRM, and Quickbooks accounting.

Ultimately, is Amahi right for me?

[bigfoot65]

I am also apprehensive about the comments I have read about the mess on one's hands should the Amahi server go down.

You can't judge based on 1 or 2 comments. Some people can't follow instructions and like to tinker with things. That leads to a mess.

I want something to just be up and running and handle my files in a 2 person small office home office environment.

You might want to try something more like OpenMediaVault. It's a pretty simple server and can even run on a 4GB flash drive.

Ultimately, is Amahi right for me?

If you are not wanting to run a 24/7 server, maybe not. If you only need basic file sharing, then Amahi may be overkill. It's designed to be on 24/7, which is the intent of a server.

[Dekade]

bigfoot65 -

I want to thank you for helping me out with answers. However, I am still not wanting to toss in the towel on Amahi. I realize it might be overkill but then again - beyond my soho needs - it might be kind of fun to play with regarding pictures, etc.

I am still wanting to know a lot more about Amahi before I make a final determination. I am buying a Kill A Watt meter to determine electricity usage. In the meantime a couple more curiosity thoughts.

IF I were to turn Amahi on in the mornings and off at nights could there be any negative/adverse affect upon the HDA and the IP's? If so, what? Is there any means means by which that practice can harm the Amahi OS, the WD_Red_2TB_NAS drive, or any files?

If Amahi were to go down can I still pull out the WD_Red_2TB_NAS drive - put it into a PC and pull the files off of it; providing the files are normal files and not in any backup format?

I have some other questions that go into other areas of Amahi. I plan on starting new threads for those as they are not directly related to DHCP. Do you agree with the new threads and titles approach? -OR- do you want me to continue on this thread and revise the subject title?

I realize that your time is donated and I greatly appreciate it. I think Amahi has a contributions options which I will certainly accommodate should I choose to proceed with Amahi.

However, for now it is really valuable to me to have input from experience. I really need this forum connection to fully understand up front what I am getting into.

Kindest Regards,

Dekade

Specs:
Asus P5ND mother board
Intel Q9550 Core 2 CPU
CoolerMaster Hyper212 Evo CPU cooler
Antec 450W PSU
On board video (non HD) for headless setup
8gb non-ecc ram
1 each - WD_Red_2TB_NAS 5400rpm drive (brand new 08/2016)
1 each - 200 GB Seagate 7200rpm (8 years old - 4 years old in usage; 4 years not connected)
1 each - 500 GB Samsung 7200rpm (6 years old - 2 years old in usage; 4 years not connected)

[bigfoot65]

I am buying a Kill A Watt meter to determine electricity usage.

I think you will find minimal electricity usage, or at least it is for me. It will be very similar to having a desktop PC on all the time.

IF I were to turn Amahi on in the mornings and off at nights could there be any negative/adverse affect upon the HDA and the IP's? If so, what? Is there any means means by which that practice can harm the Amahi OS, the WD_Red_2TB_NAS drive, or any files?

If you are using Amahi as the DHCP server, then yes there will be issues. All clients will lose connectivity to the internet. Turning it on and off in regards to hardware will put the same amount of stress on it as if you were switching a desktop PC on/off.

If Amahi were to go down can I still pull out the WD_Red_2TB_NAS drive - put it into a PC and pull the files off of it; providing the files are normal files and not in any backup format?

Depends on if you use the Linux file system or Windows file system with the NAS drives. However, there are programs that will allow you to access files on a drive with Linux file system.

I realize that your time is donated and I greatly appreciate it. I think Amahi has a contributions options which I will certainly accommodate should I choose to proceed with Amahi.

Not a problem. Happy to help. There is some info in the Amahi FAQ regarding the use of DHCP that might be helpful.

[Dekade]

I would be using CIFS. Curiosity: does the following sound like a doable setup for me?

The following is from an ad:

Have a Dell PowerEdge T610 server pulled from production. It's completely functional. Has the following specs:

* 1 x Intel Xeon E5520 processor (quad core) - there is an empty slot for 2nd processor
* 8GB DDR3, ECC, RDIMM memory (2 x 4GB)
* PERC 6/iR RAID card
* 2 x 750GB Near-line SAS 7.2k hard drives (mirrored in RAID 1)
* 2 x 570W 80 Plus Gold redundant power supplies
* DVD-ROM drive
* Front-panel status/info LCD display

Has from 8 - 3.5" drive hot-swappable front drive bays. Includes license for Windows Server 2008 (OEM sticker on the case). Drives are blank, but I'll include installation media. 2 power cables also included. Asking only $180 for this server. Cash and local pickup only please. The asking price is $180.00

[bigfoot65]

I would be using CIFS. Curiosity: does the following sound like a doable setup for me?

Should be fine. Depending on your usage, maybe overkill.

Amahi can run on a machine on much less hardware. See the minimum hardware requirements for more info.

I am running my HDA on a VM with 3 x 1TB drives. Works fine for me.