Topic: Server Recommendation

[eiceic]

I have a customer that is looking to buy a brand new server from a name brand source -- dell/gateway/hp --  Is there model anyone can recommend that will FOR SURE work with SME?   I'd hate to have them get it and then find out the SATA or SCSI drives don't work with SME.  Looking in the $2 - $3k ballbark


Thanks!!

Chris

[Boris]

What are the requirements?
How many users? What services needed etc..?

[eiceic]

Hi,

Mainly Samba file sharing for about 20 users - ISAM database app.

Chris

[smeghead]

I have had good success with Compaq servers but mainly the slightly older models (Proliant 1600, 1850R, DL380 G1, using older RAID adapters like 5312, 221).

The best thing to do is to pick apart the server of interest and see if the h/w is supported in RH 7.3

The critical thing is support for the mobo and RAID adaptor as everything else is easy to compensate for (ie if the onboard NIC is not supported just add one that is!).

One gotcha on the Proliants is that you need to set the BIOS to nominate Linux as the OS otherwise SME will install but not work correctly (kernel panics etc).

It will also pay to check out the samba 3 contrib that is in testing now (see devinfo) as V3 is much happier working with certain database files.

HTH

[dave_d]

... Smeghead ....

I see you've installed SME onto a Proliant 1850R before.  I've just been asked to do the same but, although the SME installation CD boots OK, I never get past running Anaconda.  I've run all the server tests - no errors!

I've done the 'Expect Linux' bit in the BIOS but it seems to make no difference.

Any tips before I go searching on the Internet or delving into the hardware?

Regards,

Dave

[smeghead]

I never get past running Anaconda.

What do you mean here, more info please.

If I try to boot and install from a bad CD I get the same thing, is the CD a known good one?

Will it boot & run a CD from another OS (WinXP for example)?

Maybe a faulty CDRO drive or RAM?

Only use 256MB in the machine during the install to eliminate soem errors with Linux recognising more memory.

HTH

[dave_d]

Thanks for the quick reply.

CD's good - I used the same one to install on a different server 2 days ago.  I can read the CD in several different machines.

The server boots and starts installation of Win2K and so I guess the basic machine has no problems.

RAM test OK - but there's a lot of it - 1024M, and so I'll try your suggestion and reduce it to 256M.

The installation starts OK - the RAID controller is recognised as the the SCSI controller.  Anaconda starts running and then just stalls.

I've read elsewhere that the in-built Ethernet controller can cause problems.  Apparently it's a TLAN unit and I've seen posts elsewhere on the Internet where folk have had difficulties getting these recognised.  I'll try disabling the device in the BIOS ROM and see if that helps.

I'll put a post in this thread when I get it working!

Regards,

Dave

[smeghead]

.. when it stalls try Alt/F2, Alt/F3, Alt/F4,to have a look at the install status; it might be waiting for something and these status screens might give you a heads up on what; it might show an error message of some sort that may be of help.

I just spoke to a mate that runs an 1850R and he indicated no probs installing 6.0.1 except for the memory issue.

HTH

[dave_d]

Thanks for the suggestions.
It turned out that all I needed to do was to disable the on-board Ethernet controller and include a PCI network card and all my problems went away.  Co-incidentally I had been having trouble with a Slackware 10.1 installation on a Compaq DeskPro EN.  I disabled the (same type) on-board controller and my problems went away here too!  Seems to be a driver problem for these TLAN adapters.

Now, if only I can persuade this server to boot without needing user intervention on every restart I shall be a happy bunny!

Regards,

Dave

[RMOORE]

I also had a problem booting SME 6.5 on Proliant 1850r
Your suggestion of disabling the ethernetcard helped
100 % .
By the way anyone figured out a simple way to cluster SME if so i  would realy appreciate  your help

[dhardy]

Now, if only I can persuade this server to boot without needing user intervention on every restart I shall be a happy bunny!

In the Bios you can probably set the thing to 'network server mode' - however, the choice to do that might be hidden. Here's how to get at it ....

1. F10 for the bios at boot time
2. Set a boot time password - suggest 'password' if this was previously blank!
3. viola - there is a new menu called 'password options'
4. in the new menu is 'Network Server Mode'

If that doesn't do it, search here [ HP Product Finder ] for a file called 'NO_F1.COM' which needs to be run after booting from  dos floppy. It resets a bit in the bios to ignore the 'Press F1 to continue' prompt.

If you can't find it I'll send you the softpaq with it.

Regards,

David.

[dave_d]

Thanks for that information.  I'll try the hidden menu wheeze when I next visit the site.

Is the NO_F1.COM the same thing as

ftp.compaq.com/pub/softpaq/sp0501-1000/sp0667.zip?

Regards,

Dave

[dhardy]

Yup, I think so - you need to run the softpaq and agree to the license, it then unpacks no_f1.com and no_f1.doc into the current folder.

I downloaded it and then found the bios settings - which saved me having to hunt about for a FreeDOS boot disk!

G'luck.

David.