building a server with desktops

hey guys, i am working on a advanced project for my computer science VI course (long story about class number, and no i didn't fail or anything). the project is for me to build a nice cheap server for the computer science III class has something to play with, so i figured build it out of old desktops that are lying around the room. can anyone help me with this? i need all the info on this i can get. thanks alot guys.

eric

 

well ... what is it going to be used for? a file server? a firewall? i'm not familiar with windows server editions but Id suggest 2000pro or XPpro because they have more networking capability than home or the regular version of 2000(if they still even sell) ... but you would need to look up whether you need the extra features

they had this great article in PCUpgrade magazine on how to turn your old computer into a firewall ... they suggested using http://www.smoothwall.org/ ... as I understand you will only be able to use the machine as a firewall as you do not need to install an OS and it's linux based ... I haven't tried it ... so I couldn't help you install it other than referring to the article or the website ... the article does say you can put it on a 486 based PC so compatibilty shouldnt be an issue

 

well its gonna be used for a file server because it is a web design class so its going to be a file holder/toy for them.

eric

 

anybody? any guides or anything i can get on this?

eric