A server running on one processor?

[DarrylLicke]

The reason I ask this is because in the future I'm going to want to tinker/learn some enterprise level apps like weblogic. But at the same time I don't want to build 2-3 systems to do this ($$$). So what about a dual boot systems of XP/2000. What effect would the single processor have in one OS versus the other?

 

[smp]

I don't really understand what you're asking/talking about.
Yes, you can have a single processor server, most definately.

 

[DaveSimmons]

To run multiple server OSs, the number of processors has no effect at all. You can only run one OS at a time and it will use all of the processors. Two ways around this:

(a) set up multiple "primary partitions" ("C:" drives for windws OSs) on your hard drive and use a program like Boot Magic to switch between them each time you restart the computer.

(b) Run VMWare in a primary OS, and have it create "virtual PCs" within that OS that can run other OSs, though much slower than if they were running as the main OS.

For (a) be aware that Partition Magic 6 (and 5?) contains code to block it from running on any PC that has a Microsoft server OS installed. If you use Partition Magic 4 and a drive smaller than 32 GB as your C: drive you can use PM4 to set up the multiple hidden primary partitions (up to 4).

 

[DarrylLicke]

Reason I asked smp is because I have seen a few dual processor "server" motherboards. I was just curious as to the effect not having a dual board will have on the server OS's of this fictious box vs. the standard OS's.

 

[AndyHui]

No effect. A single processor is the baseline. To go SMP is for additional performance and not a requirement.

 

[DaveSimmons]

Originally posted by: DarrylLicke
Reason I asked smp is because I have seen a few dual processor "server" motherboards. I was just curious as to the effect not having a dual board will have on the server OS's of this fictious box vs. the standard OS's.

It will run slower. Seriously, that's it. But W2K server + IIS + SQL server together run very smoothly for light loads (and one user is a very light load) on even a Celeron 667 box with 320 MB RAM. W2K server by itself runs decently on a P2-266 with 192 MB.

Any PC you can put together with new parts will actually be complete overkill for just a learning / test / development server, as long as you load up on RAM. A celeron 1.0 + 512 MB SDRAM will probably run faster than a P4 2 GHz with only 256 MB if you're running much more than just the OS.

I wouldn't bother with a server mobo or dual setup, any "desktop" mobo with a cheap CPU (even an 800-900 MHz) and 512 MB RAM will make a great server box.

 

[DarrylLicke]

Good to know...just means I recycle the processor I already have and up the RAM.

 

[IgoByte]

The reason I ask this...

What exactly do you ask?

If you're asking if you can have a server running on a single CPU, sure. I don't think I'll be wasting money on dual-CPU rigs in the future. At the pace technology is changing, and considering that the "affordable" dual-capable CPUs are actually quite behind [in speed] their single-cpu counterparts, I'll save mah pennies, go with single-cpu setups and possibly upgrade more frequently. It seems to work out better for me in the long run.

 

[IgoByte]

W2K server by itself runs decently on a P2-266 with 192 MB.

A PII 266? Decently? Have you actually attempted it? I'm just curious, BTW.

 

[Bovinicus]

I don't understand why you want to dual boot XP and 2000? They are pretty similar, minus the pretty interface of XP. As well, I know there are various other enhancements like slightly different memory management, but nonetheless, they are very similar. I would go with Windows 2000 if I were you. It seems that XP is still getting a few bugs worked out. Of course, it is much closer to becoming a viable OS at this point than it was upon release. Of course, I might just be a little partial to 2000 because I use it. Hehe.

 

[DaFinn]

W2K server by itself runs decently on a P2-266 with 192 MB.

Igobyte,

I am running at work a W2K server/ISA server/Easy 5 (FTP) on a dual P2-266 w. 192Mb RAM, and its as smooth as... well, it works just fine!



-DaFinn

 

[Woodie]

Heck, I run W2K Server on a 4-way Pentium Pro 200...it works fine. DNS, DHCP Server, WINS, router, file/print serving, SetiQueue and 4xSeti. Ok, there are only 2 clients on the network, and neither of them are heavy users.