File Server specification help!

[redemptionlight]

I am building a file server for a small office . ok i have not done this before and i intend to assemble all needed hardware parts bit by bits as in from scratch.To accomplish this i have a budget of £ 1, 500 pounds . need ur answer in the below steps as to what i need to add or what i have missed listing. ok

1.Base/casing
2.MotherBoard
3.Processor (intel or AMD which is better and cheaper)
4.Ram.memory(am considering 8GB too small?)
5.RAID connectivity( i have no much idea abut them)
6.Hard- mirrored drive( solid state or which is better????)
7.Power supply unit(redundant)
8.power cords(which suld i go for to complement PSU)
9.PCI erthernet cards with 2 slot support
10. optical drives
11.network swtches( which to use ??? compatibility issues?)
12.UPS

just give me a run down of everything i need from hardware to software.. i intend using opensource os.. thanks

[ua549]

By the questions you are asking you seem to be a novice when it comes to building a system. I would advise against the do it yourself approach for a system that will be used in other than a home environment. I say this because a self built system requires you to keep the system functioning by diagnosing hardware and software problems, maintain spares, etc. in order to keep the users working. This approach actually costs more than purchasing a system with warranty support from a company such as Dell or HP. I suggest that you seek the services of a competent local consultant to help with the configuration and system sourcing.