Linux – Using laptops as servers

laptoplinux

I have a bunch of old T42s lying around which I recently upgraded to maximum memory (2G). I'd like to put them to good use, and what attracted me most is the low power draw from these compared to using old full tower systems.

The current specs of them are as follows:

  • Pentium M 1.7GHz
  • 2G DDR-333 RAM
  • 250G HDDs
  • Onboard ATI graphics (64m dedicated I believe)?

Either way, I was wondering if these would suffice as servers? Of course it depends on the roles, but what would be the most important piece of hardware in:

  • A web server
  • A mail server
  • A DNS server
  • A file server

Of course a fast network connection is important for all of these if they are heavily used.. but besides that, I'd assume the priority would be CPU then Memory?

I plan on laying these side by side in a cooled closet with the connections facing upwards for easy management. They will be running a variant of Linux (most likely Arch Linux) and some will be handling multiple roles.

Thoughts?

Thanks.

Best Answer

Others have already commented on the disadvantages. I'd like to say a few good things. Advantages to using laptops:

  • Power backup - assuming that the batteries still work, they would provide a sort of built-in UPS for the servers.
  • Lower power consumption - as you've already mentioned.
  • Built in KVM - no need for external monitors/keyboards, assuming the screens still work.

Your machines are more than enough to run web-servers and what nots. So, it is a non-issue. They may even be powerful enough to run as a VM host to become a mini-cluster of small VM machines.

Just a thought.

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