Hello all,

I have a bit of a dilema, i want to build a linux server on a desktop mobo, possible? If so please keep reading further as i want to reach my goal.

Specs:

Cost: 500-600
Back up solution: acronis or symantec backup exec (which ever linux supports)
Ram: 8gb
CPU: dual core or quad (really want to run quad)
Raid:5

Ultimate goal, insall vmware server (free from site) and run server 2008 enterprise or server 2003 enterprise virtually along with 3 windows xp machines.

People ask why not run natively? Well the answer to that is I will be running a desktop board and not a server board, last research or current research there is no boards out there that support w2k3 or windows 2k8 drivers. This needs to be the cheapest server build i can possibly do.

Thanks for looking and I hope i posted in the correct area.

Why not just use Microsoft Hypervisor?

http://www.microsoft.com/hyper-v-ser...s/default.aspx

oh because the main problem is getting drivers to work correctly on a desktop board. That is my main delema here is drivers, im scared to build an awesome desktop machine come to find out none of the devices are compatible.

Building a linux server on a desktop board is certainly possible. Remember that the board is still a desktop board, and if you have chosen a board that is not long-term reliable, running Linux on it will do nothing to change that situation. (Not that many desktop boards or chipsets are unreliable these days, but the possibility cannot be excluded.)

Hmm, so that is 500-600 in some currency and you intend to pay those prices in some area of the world. It doesn't tell us much, but it may be possible. Or not, depending on currency.

What for? You want this stuff just for backup, or is there something else involved? And are you saying that you want to run eg, thin client machines, off the same box and at the same time, or is that mention of windows to support the backup application in some way?