Question Old Mac Pro for Server

[swanysto]

Is there any reason why a 2009 Mac Pro wouldn't work well for home file/backup server? I know the OS is limited to Mojave I believe. Will I run into trouble in the future with that? I will basically just have my many gigabytes of photos/photoshop files, as well as backing up my wifes Windows pc, and a time machine backup of my macbook pro. If it is possible, I might try and have our iphones backup pictures to it.

I don't really think speed will be an issue, just worried about software compatibility. What kind of problems might I run into? I have never used a mac as a back/file server.

 

[mxnerd]

Not a Mac user, but no reason 2009 Mac Pro wouldn't work as a backup server.

But its idle power consumption probably will deter you away.

 

[SamirD]

Power usage is not as important for some as others. For me, the difference in idle power on that graph from the top to the bottom is not even $10 for a whole year.

 

[mxnerd]

Cost probably not a problem, but I hate the heat.

Electricity bill calculator | Energy cost calculator

Electriciy bill cost calculator. Electricity usage/consumption calculator.

www.rapidtables.com

 

[SamirD]

Holy cow that's some expensive power! I think ours is like .06 at CA site and .02 at AL site.

Yeah, heat can be a bad thing too--I have to turn off servers/systems during the summer because the AC units are overloaded from the 110-120 heat waves just keeping the ambient temps under 80F.

In winter I kick them back on as heat multipliers.

 

[mxnerd]

Holy cow that's some expensive power! I think ours is like .06 at CA site and .02 at AL site.

California is 18 cents.

Electric Rates by State | Payless Power

Electricity rates are based on factors such as demand and available plans, the amount you pay can vary from state to state. See how your state compares.

paylesspower.com

 

[SamirD]

Pretty strange it says 18 cents. I pulled .06 right off the power bill.

 

[swanysto]

So electricity and heat would be my only two issues?

 

[mxnerd]

Pretty strange it says 18 cents. I pulled .06 right off the power bill.

If you are in southern CA It's 20 cents now for tier 1

Tiered Rate Plan

Learn about our Standard rate plan. Our Standard Residential Rate Plan is the basic plan serving most residential customers.

www.sce.com

Delivery charge and generation charge probably are separated on the bill and you have to add them up.

 

[mxnerd]

So electricity and heat would be my only two issues?

Turn on SMB protocol for network file sharing so that Windows clients can talk to Mac OS.

https://support.apple.com/guide/mac...-with-windows-users-mchlp1657/10.14/mac/10.14

 

[swanysto]

Thank you guys!

 

[JackMDS]

If you do continue with this idea.

Replacing the Old HD with a new SSD might make every thing better.

 

[SamirD]

If you are in southern CA It's 20 cents now for tier 1

Tiered Rate Plan

Learn about our Standard rate plan. Our Standard Residential Rate Plan is the basic plan serving most residential customers.

www.sce.com

Delivery charge and generation charge probably are separated on the bill

I actually revisited the bills because it had been several years. Surprisingly, they're both about 8.5c/kwh now. CA is Bay Area.

But even at that rate, and using the energy calculator for 100w usage 24x7 the whole year is just $75. And that's with a modern server that potentially could be that lean, so I'd consider that a base line. Double that for the 200w that an older server might use and it's only $75 extra for the whole year--for a server that will cost next to nothing or be obtained free.

And you can always adjust the usage anytime you want by just turning it off, so no real harm for using one as a proof of concept before spending bigger bucks on a production model that would use less power. Have to also factor in the roi on a newer model too because if one costs $400 versus an older one for $50, it will take over 4 years before that newer server pays for itself, and by that time it's eclipsed by a more power saving model.

To me, power is a much bigger issue for a data center--servers at home, much less so imo.

 

[SamirD]

The only other caveat to look for is that the ram has the appropriate heatsinks on it if heat will be a concern. fbdimms run hot and without the 'apple' heatsinks on the modules, could potentially run too hot.

 

[JackMDS]

Depending of the way it is used. Make sure that the server is on static IP.

Configure it to go to sleep, and it can be waked when connection attempt is made.

Account Suspended

 

[swanysto]

The only other caveat to look for is that the ram has the appropriate heatsinks on it if heat will be a concern. fbdimms run hot and without the 'apple' heatsinks on the modules, could potentially run too hot.

It is just going to be a simple file/backup server for a couple home computers. I would hope a few file transfers a day wouldn't push the ram too much.

 

[SamirD]

It is just going to be a simple file/backup server for a couple home computers. I would hope a few file transfers a day wouldn't push the ram too much.

I think you should be okay, but keep an eye on the temps or run the fans higher than stock settings. When I stress tested my Dell 2950, the fbdimms got >70C, and this is in a rack server with big fans.

 

[skyking]

I replaced my older server board with an asrock itx fanless combo. The board and ram cost about 100, and it runs at 15w with a couple of different drives in it. Keep that in mind when you look at the power bill. My setup will pay off in less than 2 years and fanless is really sweet. Of course I had a case to use so that cost was offset.