Edoardo PC Fix

Oggi è la giornata mondiale del Backup, salvate i vostri dati e ricordate la regola del 3-2-1, 3 copie su due sistemi diversi di cui uno offsite.
I vostri dati valgono!

Today I got an urgent call about a file server suddenly unresponsive.
Once got there I realized the server is actually a regular desktop pc, some years old, running an outdated windows version and acting as a file and print server.
The "server" is again working but is a good chance to highlight some points relevat to you if you run a business or if you plan to:

1- desktop PC are not meant to work 24/7 for years. The components are lower grade ones and the chance for failures are far higher than dedicated servers
2- desktop PC are not build for fail recovery. Once a component fails there is no fail over. The system will simply stop to work.
3- after just few months some of the components won't be repleaceble as no spare parts are available
4- regular windows desktop licences are not hardened to resist component failures and host many simultaneus connections.

So, don't think to spare some hundred bucks buying a regular pc and a regular windows licence instead of a dedicated server because you'll pay much more than you saved once the first failure will affect you.

Small Server Systems are quite cheap nowdays and Linux is a valid and free alternative to Windows if you need a file server.

The more, sometimes a dedicated NAS solution is a better choice.

If your IT guy offers you to use a regular PC as file server, don't do it!