Topic: Is this good hardware for a SME server? please advice

[mardek01]

Hi,
After running my SME server on an old desktop PC I want to replace it with a real server. As I want to build it myself (Just for learning) I did some research and figured out that this should be a good choice. I am a novice so I would appreciate your comments. My budget is 1000-1300 euro. max. 5 people are using the server. Next to internal use it is also a webserver(testing) for clients. I want a reliable server.


-------configuration -------------
case: 1 Antec PLUS1080AMG /430W 

Mboard:1 TYAN S2727GNN Tiger GC-SL dual-xeon/533/gbl+lan/vga

Procc. 1 Intel BX80532KC2600D Xeon 2.6 Ghz/400 (512Kb)

mem: 1 Kingston KVR266X72C25/512 512MB PC2100 ECC DDR       
Hd: 3 Maxtor 6Y080P0 DMax Plus 9 80GB 7200RPM 8MB (2 software raid, 1 spare)       

CD:1 PLEXTOR PX-54TA/T3BPB 54X CD-ROM BLACK BULK       
Floppy: 1 Sony Floppy Disk Drive 3.5" 1.44Mb Black

[matsk]

As for motherboard and CPU choose a simpler one and a P4 is enough.

Mboard: Choose a P4 mboard instead. A Xeon is over kill for the usage you describe.

Procc.: Choose a P4 CPU instead.

Hd: Why only 80GB disks, to step up to 120 or 160GB isn't a lot more expensive or ???

CD: Pick a DVD burner instead so it can be used as a backup device, there is a alpha release on that so it's comming soon. Alternative add a backup system to the components you have listed.

Add a IDE RAID addonboard that supports online spare to increase the reliability but check that it's RedHat 7.3 compatible.


/Mats

[jmvelez]

PCChips T12 P4 Motherboard 3 year warranty
   1Gigabit ethernet
Intel 2.8GHz Celeron D 533 fsb
Superchip SC733T-450 Case 4 Hot swap SATA
3Ware RAID Controller 8506-4LP
3 or 4 SATA 120 or 160GB HD
Realtek 10/100 ethernet for gateway
Any video card
Any CD-ROM

Backup
Sony AIT 35GB or AIT2 50GB (both are available in IDE) with Tapeware workstation backup

All the above hardware works with SME and should provide you a fast, low cost server.

[mardek01]

Thanks for your replies guys.

I am wondering why you both sugest hardware raid. What i s wrong with the software raid solution provided by sme. I know it takes longer to recover but are there any other reasons to go for hardware raid.

In case i go for the dvd rewriter to do backups, is there a preferred model/brand for SME server (RH 7.3)?

regards,
Mardek

[jmvelez]

It is simple to change a drive in a failure and it is faster than the raid 1 software solution available in sme.  Also you have other RAID options.

I have not used dvd in SME.  Tapeware has an option for disaster recovery that all you need is a CD and a Tape to get your system up.