- Mar 1, 2008
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I may be building a proper MS test server network soon, and I hope to be able to maximise use of my hardware by running a few virtual machines. I'm awfully tempted to buy a cheap Dell server on sale (eg the PowerEdge T105 that's often available for about $400 -- last week a basic model for $250). But that's probably silly, especially considering my credit card debt -- and I've not even purchased a Wolfdale cpu for my future workstation.
So, how little can I spend and still have a server capable of running modern MS software (eg Windows Server 2008, SharePoint Services 3.0, etc) virtualised? I want to be able to run at least a couple of VMs at a time.
An obvious requirement is memory, to run virtual machines simultaneously. That actually points me away from a 'real server' bought OEM since they tend to use more costly ECC memory. Whereas a server cobbled together from PC commodity hardware could use standard DDR2 memory... 2 GB for < $30! A PC server could recycle most parts: but I'd have to buy a cpu and motherboard.
Running the most advanced and efficient forms of x86 virtualisation (VMware ESX, MS 'Viridian' Hyper-V) demands a cpu that supports hardware virtualisation (ie Intel's 'Vanderpool' VT or AMD-V 'Pacifica'). This is the criterion that compels me to buy a new server (or at least a new cpu), since none of the processors I currently own support this (only one of them is even dualcore). Fully fledged Conroe (not Allendale) and Wolfdale cpus include VT, but any such cpu I'd buy would be destined for my primary workstation, and I can't afford a second one.
The cheapest Conroes cost $150ish, whereas a 'Pacifica'-enabled cpu from AMD can cost less than $100. Indeed, it appears almost all modern socket AM2 cpus support virtualisation: the low is about $60 for a Brisbane-core X2 4000+, though I'd prefer a low-energy cpu such as the X2 BE-2350 (essentially the same 2.1 GHz cpu at 45W but costing $90). A low-power cpu could also be combined with an integrated-graphics board to create a cool thermal-environment mini PC (qv Shuttle) and home theatre machine -- another role for this machine when I'm not testing servers. The AMD 780G chipset looks perfect for this role, especially as ASUS and Gigabyte boards can be found for $90 (and support VGA, DVI, and HDMI output). These boards will also support Phenom: if AMD ever feels compelled to slash their prices to $150 or so, one could always upgrade, heh...
Can anyone think of an efficient virtualisation-capable cpu and motherboard cheaper than the above ($150 to 200 total)? And are the Brisbanes I've listed too slow? MS is recommending 2.5 GHz cpus for much of their current server software, but of course they don't clarify what sort of cpu (we all know a 2.5 GHz Netburst cpu is pretty inferior to modern dualcores at almost any speed).
So, how little can I spend and still have a server capable of running modern MS software (eg Windows Server 2008, SharePoint Services 3.0, etc) virtualised? I want to be able to run at least a couple of VMs at a time.
An obvious requirement is memory, to run virtual machines simultaneously. That actually points me away from a 'real server' bought OEM since they tend to use more costly ECC memory. Whereas a server cobbled together from PC commodity hardware could use standard DDR2 memory... 2 GB for < $30! A PC server could recycle most parts: but I'd have to buy a cpu and motherboard.
Running the most advanced and efficient forms of x86 virtualisation (VMware ESX, MS 'Viridian' Hyper-V) demands a cpu that supports hardware virtualisation (ie Intel's 'Vanderpool' VT or AMD-V 'Pacifica'). This is the criterion that compels me to buy a new server (or at least a new cpu), since none of the processors I currently own support this (only one of them is even dualcore). Fully fledged Conroe (not Allendale) and Wolfdale cpus include VT, but any such cpu I'd buy would be destined for my primary workstation, and I can't afford a second one.
The cheapest Conroes cost $150ish, whereas a 'Pacifica'-enabled cpu from AMD can cost less than $100. Indeed, it appears almost all modern socket AM2 cpus support virtualisation: the low is about $60 for a Brisbane-core X2 4000+, though I'd prefer a low-energy cpu such as the X2 BE-2350 (essentially the same 2.1 GHz cpu at 45W but costing $90). A low-power cpu could also be combined with an integrated-graphics board to create a cool thermal-environment mini PC (qv Shuttle) and home theatre machine -- another role for this machine when I'm not testing servers. The AMD 780G chipset looks perfect for this role, especially as ASUS and Gigabyte boards can be found for $90 (and support VGA, DVI, and HDMI output). These boards will also support Phenom: if AMD ever feels compelled to slash their prices to $150 or so, one could always upgrade, heh...
Can anyone think of an efficient virtualisation-capable cpu and motherboard cheaper than the above ($150 to 200 total)? And are the Brisbanes I've listed too slow? MS is recommending 2.5 GHz cpus for much of their current server software, but of course they don't clarify what sort of cpu (we all know a 2.5 GHz Netburst cpu is pretty inferior to modern dualcores at almost any speed).
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