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Home server advice

I’m planning to build a replacement home server. My current server is on its last legs: a 4th gen Intel i7 CPU on an ITX ASUS board running Windows Server 2012 R2 Essentials. My server is used to back up my and my wife’s laptop, plus run a Plex server.

I need one that’s more modern and accessible online. I would like to stick with an ITX board and Windows Server, since I am familiar with it. Some of my mandatory requirements are: four or more SATA slots for 20TB of storage; the latest generation CPU that isn’t a power hog; two NVME slots—one for the OS, and another for a scratch disk cache for Plex; 32GB RAM, and a possible Bluray burner. Wireless isn’t required, as my home is covered with Cat 5e cabling.

I’d like to run one of the latest Windows Server Lite editions that allows remote access and a web address. I have family photos stored on the server, and usually give access to family members— the grandchildren use it to store artwork for example.

I started my love of servers after reading an article about the HP MediaSmart Server in your mag many years ago. It saved my bacon when my wife was going for her BSN and her laptop HDD failed. I was able to go to Comp USA, buy a new HDD, and within 90 minutes I was able to restore her laptop to the position it was in the night before the failure. My wife is an oncology nurse with 40+ years of experience.

—Ray Fletcher