Hardware recommendations - web server hardware

[Superwormy]

We're looking for a new web server for work, looking at hardware choices... this isn't something we're building, it would be buying a rackmount 1U server.

CPUs:
Athlon vs. P4 vs. Xeon vs. Core Duo? Which one?
Also, for the Xeons... higher clock speed and slower bus speed and 2x2MB cache *OR* slower clock speed and higher bus speed and 4MB cache?

Hard Drive:
SATA vs. SCSI vs. SAS?
Substantial performance difference?

Brand:
Any reccomended brand names? We're looking at Dell, Sun is another option...




The server would be running:
FreeBSD 6.x
Apache 2
PHP 5.x
MySQL 5.x
Postfix w/ ClamAV/SpamAssasin (~70,000 messages per day)

 

[piasabird]

IBM X Server.

We went to some IBM X Servers in 1u Racks. The racks are the kind with 4 Corners.

We also use IBM X Servers with our School's Database System.

We also have a custom built IBM X Server (Dual PIII) with Emulation that we run our
IBM Mainframe on. We have such a low MIPS Mainframe license that we had to go to a
Dual PIII to make sure it ran slow enough. Otherwise the Mainfram Software license would cost too much.

Typically this kind of rack with the front and back mounts costs like $400.00 for a barebones open rack. It looks like a big box and is about 49" deep. The Servers were adjustable for different lengths front to back so the deep length is adjustable. Then they can be slid out of the rack on a rail mounting system.

The IBM X-SERVERS seem to be of a high quality and a high dependability.

They may cost more but are dependable.

To me a Website is all about uptime. If your website is not up and running it can not make you any money.

 

[bwnv]

I've had hard drive probs with IBM, lots. That said I have had good luck with HP(Compaq) DL320's and the 2u DL380 (iSCSI) units. Not sure if they still do it, but Compaq used to only buy first run tested drives, not just oem stuff that may have been reworked 5 or 6 times already. Just my experiance, I don't work for them or anything. But really, any good server possibly with a backup server should do just fine.

 

[d3n]

For web apps any stable HP/Dell/IBM platform with a good teaming NIC should suit you.

If you were doing database apps there is only one solution I would consider right now (depeding on the size of course). A Dell 2900 rack mount chassis with SAS and two MD1000 JBODs full of SAS drives. The only reason I say 2900 instead of 2950 is the number of controller cards you can slap in there. Its best to get logs/indexs/dbs all on thier own controllers and spread across as many spindles as possible.

I really like fiberchannel for clustering and failover but the cost is just way out there. Also I think it might be possible to move the DBs off of dedicated servers in the near future and have them talk via 10GB ISCSI to a SAS SAN so to speak.

Anyhow web server should be fine with most 1u platforms and would be great for a blade server setup.