nick, the server is not the point (if windows then 2003 standard would be just fine) - the storage would be more important. this could be a software raid of sATA-disks up to external fibre-devices ... if it's some kind of hardware-raid make sure it supports grab-through (does not cache the whole file from which only a few bytes are requested ) and NCQ (re-ordering of block-requests) ... to select components and configure this is a job for experts who are then also responsible for the performance and goes far beyond the scope of this forum.
christian

Hey Jerome, I just put in the "Friendchip DMX 16" with 2 MOP4s and 2 MQAs....I am a bit confused on how I'm configuring it and what not. Here's my set-up: G5 Dual 2 Gig 6 MAc Minis Motu 2408 with Digital Performer Not sure what to clock to....PCI ADAT? Internal? SPDIF? I know you guys are using it successfully, so I thought I'd go straight to the source. Thanks in advance for your help

@Nick Batzdorf said:

I also have to ask why it's necessary to install a faster internal drive instead of just using a FW drive for samples. That's what I'd do, even if I were streaming eight outputs through a FW interface.

Nick, I wasn't able to make this work on my mini. The combination of audio and disk streaming using FW (Profire Lightbridge) was an unhappy marriage. Hence I started streaming off my internal 5400 drive and haven't had any problems. Since I'm only hosting brass it's not a very intensive demand on resources so maybe mine isn't an ideal test case. If anyone IS using FW for both audio and streaming with the mini I would sure like to hear about it.