rack mount server

[icomputer]

Hi,

I want to build two computers, one to act as my server, and one to be my firewall.

Ideally, I want to run linux on both, and I am up for any distro, but I have only used mandrake and red hat, so I will need some guiding.

Anyway, I am interested in a 1U and a 2U rackmount case, made from metal with the rackmount ears on it. It needs to be vented.

I live in the United Kingdom, so Maplins, Rapid, CPC or whatever are good places for me to buy from.

I am also looking for 2 2x20 LCDs for the front, which need to work on linux and connect to the onboard headers, which are USB or serial.

I am looking to use a fanless epia mini-itx for the firewall, with a compact flash 128mb or something not a harddrive with a small clip in power supply from www.mini-box.com possibly.

I am not sure what mobo to use for the server, as I want to have RAID mirroring over 2 large harddrives. perhaps the latest 1Ghz mini-itx with a angled raid card?

any info, ideas, suggestions are greatly recieved.

computer

[icomputer]

hmm, if I want to run RH9 on my server, and I wanted raid 10, would I need a RAID card, or just an IDE card as linux can do that for me?

also, what do you think of mounting both computers in a 3U or 4U case with a single power supply?

computer