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<blockquote data-quote="gtfreymann" data-source="post: 850284" data-attributes="member: 114733">If you're not going to use TV, on the computer you designate as your &quot;server&quot; you don't need to install Media Portal on it at all. Just set up some shares and you're done.&nbsp;On the 'clients' you install Media Portal and use your network shares coming off the server computer for your media folders.&nbsp;For just file serving your file server doesn't have to a hugely powerful machine. Make sure you get fast hard drives.&nbsp;For the clients, I have used Zotac HD-ND01's and Acer Revo R3610's. Those are now considered &quot;older models&quot; and I'm sure there is something newer available in the same form factor.&nbsp;I use Windows 7 on my machines. The clients are Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit and the server is using Windows 7 Professional 32-bit (because my two hauupage pvr-150 cards won't work with 64-bit and 4G or more of ram).&nbsp;I have never bothered with RAID myself. If you have the space in your case and a fast RAID card and drives I would say go for it.&nbsp;Get a good router indeed. One that is meant for gaming would be good. 1 gigabyte ports. I'm using a Linksys E3200.&nbsp;Cat6 cables? Sure.&nbsp;There are so many choices out there as far as hardware goes you'll need to make some personal decisions about cost and availability in your area.&nbsp;Don't forget you'll need to buy a MCE remote for each client. I get mine off eBay.&nbsp;Good luck and have fun with your adventure!</blockquote>

[QUOTE="gtfreymann, post: 850284, member: 114733"] If you're not going to use TV, on the computer you designate as your "server" you don't need to install Media Portal on it at all. Just set up some shares and you're done. On the 'clients' you install Media Portal and use your network shares coming off the server computer for your media folders. For just file serving your file server doesn't have to a hugely powerful machine. Make sure you get fast hard drives. For the clients, I have used Zotac HD-ND01's and Acer Revo R3610's. Those are now considered "older models" and I'm sure there is something newer available in the same form factor. I use Windows 7 on my machines. The clients are Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit and the server is using Windows 7 Professional 32-bit (because my two hauupage pvr-150 cards won't work with 64-bit and 4G or more of ram). I have never bothered with RAID myself. If you have the space in your case and a fast RAID card and drives I would say go for it. Get a good router indeed. One that is meant for gaming would be good. 1 gigabyte ports. I'm using a Linksys E3200. Cat6 cables? Sure. There are so many choices out there as far as hardware goes you'll need to make some personal decisions about cost and availability in your area. Don't forget you'll need to buy a MCE remote for each client. I get mine off eBay. Good luck and have fun with your adventure! [/QUOTE]

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