These are small wonderings, nothing really important. So if you guys have more pressing questions here on the forum, answer those first. I am in no hurry and I will find out answers to these questions in time on my own, too. Consider this post as the lowest priority you have. I'm not a company either, just a home user who likes to play around with computers.
I am building a home network. For lulz. I thought I get one of them HP Proliant microserver G7 M54L 2GB 250GBHDD ones why not. Saw it really cheap so let's do it. The purpose is a file server. Plenty of media via Samba, and xbmc and MySQL to keep track of the media. That's about it. Using WOL to start it, SSH to access it and in some rare occasion VNC. I built a media center from Raspberry Pi in my bedroom and want to access the server from there. So I don't need to turn on the computer in the bedroom. RPi is much more quiet. And I can use it with a remote so no need for keyboard or mouse.
Network is done and RPi too, now just need a server. Well, need and need. I want a server. Need. No, want. No, I must have one. I already configured an old desktop for this, but I'm afraid its motherboard is on its last lap. It's very young, almost brand new... well, 7 year old computer. So I'm gonna let that old thing die with dignity and get a proper server instead. But couple of questions about this server:
1. This is a server, but it has a small processor and lots of desktop hardware. I keep my desktops turned off at night, but wanted to have this in the furthest corner and turned on at all times. This server can do that? As in, Proliant DL and ML series can be on 24/7 as servers should, desktops should be turned off every now and then. Where does this fall into? Can be on all the time, or should be turned off sometimes?
2. It has 1/0/0 warranty, so one year Parts Only. I had Proliant certificates about 10-years ago, when I was working with G1, G2 and the new G3 servers. G3 was just coming. But I'm afraid they have expired since. I have been building computers and networks pretty much my entire life (ok, since the early 90's) and this is now the first computer ever I am not buying as parts, but as pre-built. If something breaks down, even if it is the motherboard or processor, will I get the part under warranty and can change it myself, or is that going to void the warranty if I do it myself? (Hopefully it will not come to that. Not even planning on upgrading the memory, 2GB is enough for a simple file server. Only thing I am going to add on my own is to add an extra HDD for all the media.) I would build a system like this myself, but I found this server so cheap I don't find parts that cheap. So, is it going to cause any issues that I want to exchange any and all parts myself, should a hardware issue arise?
3. Planning on installing Ubuntu 12.04 LTS. I could only find RedHat drivers from the website. Would need Debian based drivers. Anyone knows if Ubuntu 12.04 LTS works on its own or do I need to search some drivers? I mainly need the network card for the gigabit network. I care not if the video has limitations or anything. Once it's set up I plan not to go anywhere near it physically. Ubuntu probably works out of the box anyways. Just thought I might ask if anyone has any experience already.
4. Are there any remote applications from HP for this particular server? Probably won't need them, but perhaps could check them out if they exist. You know, for science.
5. My location is in Germany, but I don't speak German. Does anyone know if I can get support in English from German support? If the situation in question 2 arises, that is. I doubt I need any support on any other case than if I have already determined it is a hardware issue and need to order a replacement part. And hopefully it will never come to that.