Topic: Mainboard for sme8

[rans0000]

The motherboard has just died in my sme8 server, I would like to replace it but don't know what current motherboards would suit. There are around 40 users, but not a lot of traffic, only used as domain controller and file server. The box & power supply is only about 2 months old.

[janet]

rans0000

Check the m/b specs for Linux CentOS 5.x compatibility, Intel anything is usually a good choice, but there are many others.
Look at OS software HCL's (hardware compatibility lists).
Ask your m/b seller for advice on which boards are Linux CentOS compatible (really more of an issue with chipsets & processors).
Check first before you buy.
Look at the smolt statistics, I'm not sure if the sme smolt servers are currently functioning, so search the forums.

[rans0000]

Mary,

Thanks for your reply, I will follow up on your suggestions. I just though that someone may have just upgraded or installed a new motherboard and would be able to give me their option.

[chris burnat]

Look at the smolt statistics, I'm not sure if the sme smolt servers are currently functioning, so search the forums.

Smolt has been down for a while now.

[rans0000]

Has anyone got any suggestions?

[chris burnat]

Has anyone got any suggestions?

Mary gave you excellent suggestions, just follow them.  I know it is not easy when you just start in this game... Your best bet if you cannot manage checking hardware list for Centos 5 is to find a good computer shop and ask for a motherboard suitable for Linux - and take your chances. Intel should be fine, same for Gygabyte.  I also have been using MSI for a long time now, OK.  The only problem may be the internal network interface, it may not be supported, ensure that the motherbaord has at least two PCI or PCI express slots, in this way you can add supported network interface - not a drama, they are relatively cheap...
Good luck.

[Knyte]

If you need to spin something up FAST, you could just create a VM until you get the hardware sorted out.

[rans0000]

Knyte,
Thanks for your reply; I have tried to find compatible boards by using Google search, without much luck. I just thought that someone may have recently purchased a current board that works fine and I could then buy the same make/model. At the moment I am using a HP DC7800 with 4GB ram and that is working well, but I want to upgrade the “dead” machine with a board that will run either i3 or i5.

[janet]

rans0000

It depends whether you want server spec or workstation spec motherboards.

Look at the Red Hat Certified Hardware list (CentOS is based of RHEL)
https://hardware.redhat.com/

Also for Intel m/b's look at
http://www.intel.com/support/motherboards/desktop/sb/cs-008326.htm
but I see nothing listed there for Linux in current boards ???

that leads to
http://www.intel.com/support/motherboards/desktop/sb/CS-028648.htm

I'm sure other motherboard manufacturers provide lists

Just hone in on a motherboard and then read the specs carefully to see if it is OK with sme8/CentOS5.8/RHEL

Ask here again for user feedback re specific models

[Stefano]

rans0000

next time, before buying hw, think about warranty and support..

if you use your server for business, if your time is valuable, next time buy a certified hw (i.e. branded server) with 1 or more year NBD support.. if your mb die, you will have your server up and running in a day or two..

I would never install a "server" for more than 1 user on a unsupported/unbranded hw..

All IMVHO

[rans0000]

Stefano,

The Motherboard that died was 6 years old and an AMD -Gigabyte.

[Stefano]

then it's time to buy a new server, isn't it?

a small HP microserver with 4GB of ram and 2/3/4 hds and you're done..

[Fumetto]

D945GCLF2

[geoff]

SME8.0 installed fine on an Intel DQ67, i3, 4Gb RAM, 2 X 2 Tb SATA but ends up in kernel panic with a DQ77MK, i5, 8Gb RAM, 2 X 1Tb SATA. The DQ67 is certified for RHL Enterprise 6.2 and the DQ77 is Certified for RHL Enterprise 6.3.

It gets to mount: could not find filesystem '\dev\root' on a clean install and then kernel panics. BIOS setup is identical. Any ideas?

What late model hardware are people using now?

[Stefano]

are both mb certified on Centos5?
are you using any kind of "HW" raid?