Koozali.org: home of the SME Server

Contribs.org Forums => General Discussion => Topic started by: Jay69 on November 20, 2008, 10:11:50 PM

Title: Rack Server
Post by: Jay69 on November 20, 2008, 10:11:50 PM

I have a question for you all.

Would like to change to rack mount equipment rather than using old desk top machines. We have a nice empty rack I can use so I thought we might as well fill it up.

Dont need cutting edge equipment, looking for the Ford of the computer world, I have no problem even buying used computers and adding some new drives if that makes sense. Just want to take SME server and load it up.

This is what I'm looking at

2-3 500gig-1TB drives in raid 1
For 20 CAD people used only as a file server.
Maybe a GB Nic Card.


I have no clue on what type of rack equipment to look for, any thoughts?

Thanks

Jay

Title: Re: Rack Server
Post by: dgs on November 21, 2008, 12:09:47 AM

Have a look at Dell Poweredge R200, cheap, good performer, and comparably quiet compared with other 1RU pancake servers. Would be more than adequate for a reasonably loaded SME server.

Title: Re: Rack Server
Post by: Jay69 on November 21, 2008, 02:12:57 PM

dgs

I thank you, will take a look and see what I can come up with.

Title: Re: Rack Server
Post by: Jay69 on November 21, 2008, 02:19:52 PM

did a quick check on this one, found this out, its not a deal killer but it would be "nice to have".

the following is from sombody at the Dell site, it may or may not be true, I have no clue.

There is no AHCI mode for the SATA controller even though the chipset supports it. Under Linux this means you cannot hotplug the SATA devices.

Title: Re: Rack Server
Post by: dgs on November 21, 2008, 03:34:32 PM

Quote from: Jay69 on November 21, 2008, 02:19:52 PM

There is no AHCI mode for the SATA controller even though the chipset supports it. Under Linux this means you cannot hotplug the SATA devices.

That's true, and if you want hat swap there are servers there to suit your budget. But looking at things latterally I've found I can often buy an entire R200 as a standby for less then the cost of an upgrade to models that support this. it's horses for courses, with a price factor ringing the reality bell along the way.

Title: Re: Rack Server
Post by: Franco on November 21, 2008, 04:04:17 PM

I recommend the HP ProLiant DL380, there's a hardware raid that allows me to hotplug the disks without system intervention.

Title: Re: Rack Server
Post by: Jay69 on November 21, 2008, 07:33:16 PM

I hate to ask this noob question, but whats the deal with the rail kits? looking at fleabay it seems the rail kits are a big deal, I assume you need to order those seperate?

I was thinking if you orderd a rack piece of equipment it would come rack mountable, what am I missing here.

Thanks

Jay

Title: Re: Rack Server
Post by: dgs on November 21, 2008, 10:42:49 PM

Rail kits will allow you to withdraw the device on telescopic roller slides for service. Most but not all equipment will still bolt up without them, but obviously any kind of work on the device is a major pain without them.

Its a a budget vs workability trade off.

Title: Re: Rack Server
Post by: Jay69 on November 23, 2008, 02:46:29 AM

Thanks dgs

Jay

Title: Re: Rack Server
Post by: electroman00 on November 24, 2008, 04:51:05 PM

Jay69

Rackable Systems Servers (bunch on ebay(Rackable Systems), yahoo is upgrading, so their from yahoo data centers)
The 2.66ghz Daul Xeon's are rockets.
SME is 32bit but runs real good on the 64bit Xeon's
There's some Racks already setup w/70 servers in a rack for $11K if that's within your budget.

Quote

Maybe a GB Nic Card.

Most certainly GB network for 20 users CAD.
The Rackables, some have (2)-Intel GB nic's

HTH