Koozali.org: home of the SME Server
Obsolete Releases => SME Server 7.x => Topic started by: smeerbartje on November 12, 2008, 04:06:22 PM
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In a few months, I’m moving from a students apartment to a “real” house. The house is now being build and in every room a free line is available for CAT6 cables. In the meter room (I don’t know the right translation, but I mean the small cabinet containing all the meters etc.) I will place a big switch and a SME server which servers as a router (NAT) and a file server. Now the big question is: what kind of hardware should I use? I prefer a small case, but what kind of processor/memory/HDD? I only want a server in the cabinet, not a monitor/keyboard/etc. I will maintain the server by using remote administration (SSH). It would be great if the server is low on energy consumption, but on the other hand: I can appreciate a little bit of speed: I also want to install VMWARE server to host a windows XP machine and the server will run a Squeezecenter daemon.
So what do you guys think? What are my hardware requirements? And what are the running costs regarding the engery used?
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Try one of the slim case DELL vostro 200 desktops as a server.
You can buy basic one without monitor for $200-300 and they plenty fast and quiet.
Get one on sale with 2GB RAM and core 2 duo Intel CPU. VMware server running windows workstation inside will be fast.
Otherwise entry level DELL servers can be had for just a little more money ($300-500).
I just checked and right now for a three days DELL has a good sale on SC400 servers ($199). You will need to add more RAM for VMware to be efficient.
http://configure.us.dell.com/dellstore/config.aspx?oc=bsdwd4b&c=us&l=en&s=bsd&cs=04&kc=features~featured_server
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Min. hardware requirements for SME are documented here:
http://wiki.contribs.org/SME_Server:Documentation:Administration_Manual:Chapter4
SME is going to be fairly light in comparison to the requirements VM-ware server will require to productively host a windows vm. You probably should go for at least a mid-range dual core box with 4G RAM. SME really only needs 1G to function nicely, but VM-ware is very memory intensive.
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I'd agree with Boris but I'd tend to favour the Poweredge machines as they are designed for continuous operation. And watch for the Dell deals, you can routinely find a competent box for budget prices. Sub $500AU in my case. I normally buy the budget Dells as offered and throw two large capacity SATA disks and an intel NIC which wont add much at all to the all up purchase price.
The other advantage is you can order Poweredge online without an OS, With Vostro or Optiplex you will have to specifically request not paying the Microsoft tax when you order.
Small form factor is a nice aim as is fanless, but you'll probably be paying a lot more for a lesser machine.
And Don't tightly build in any device that doesn't not follow a standardised form factor. Ultimately you'll upgrade any computer and you'll be upset if replacements do not fit.
Your using a separate room so noise should not be a consideration. But understand that in a domestic or home office that the fan noise from from some Servers, Switches and UPSs can sound like a launching Lear Jet on calm summer evenings. Dell T105 is a real winner for a whisper quiet box. I'd also forgo anything not absolutely necessary. I usually load SME from a loose CD drive as you'll only need that drive fro the few minutes you spend on your your initial load of SME.
Another consideration is to use a NAS based backup or storage device in a seperate location in the dwelling. It offers some protection in terms of theft or accidental fire or water damage.
While as much ram as you can throw at it is always an agvantage, I'd think given your suggested application that 1Gb would a comfortable minimum. I have lightly loaded SME's quite comfortable on 256K but 1Gb or better would be more than comfortable.
I wouldn't be too concerned about power consumption, from basic servers, A basic but competent Server and a switch are unlikely to even be noticeable on a domestic electricity bill. You don't need to be running monitors a etc, just the basics.
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I have a dell T105 at home (well in a shed out back) it runs like a dream with 1g ram really quite compared with the HP ML115 which is really noisy for its size.