I would really appreciate some recommendations for upgrading old old server.....

[DAM]

Our department in my university has a very old Novell server a Dell PowerEdge 2100, this server has served this department amazingly, and I would hate to scrap the whole thing, but since we are moving to a MS active domain, I want to include this server also. Now, it is currently running a P2 200, I would like to only upgrade the mobo and the proc, maybe add another scsi hard drive, I was curious to know if you guys had any recommendations as to what to do. I am not very familiar with server hardware, so I am kinda walking in the dark, but I have been reading around AT and other sites to try to get a feel for things.


So got any suggestions? Any compatibility issues I should look into before buying anything?


Thanks,


david

 

[blstriker]

You may be able to upgrade the processor and RAM, but it would be very trick to upgrade the motherboard since it is most likely proprietary to Dell. I would take a look at their specification sheet and see what you can max out. Currently the low end dell servers are really cheap (under 1 grand) and it might be a better value to buy a new system. But for your system, a bump in RAM and a faster processor should prolong its life.

 

[Adul]

devote its life has a file server only and it should be fine. Just dump more ram in there. I do not think you can go any faster on teh CPU. contact dell to be sure.

 

[oldfart]

<< Now, it is currently running a P2 200 >>


No such thing as a PII 200. Is is a P 200, P200 MMX, PPro 200? If its a PPro, you may have a processer upgrade possibility. There is a PII 333 overdrive CPU that can be had. How much ram does it have?

 

[Migroo]

Hi DAM

<<Not very familiar with server hardware>>

Well servers tend to be normal PCs, often with a special OS (like NT server for example) and hardware that conforms to its requirements. IE a server that was needed for backup would have many large harddrives. A database server would have a medium size fast hard drive, lots of RAM and a fast CPU.

If the Dell case wont take an upgrade motherboard - why not get a new case? If your budget is tight they dont have to be really expensive - Enlight cases prove this.

Then get a new motherboard (one that suits your CPU choice), the CPU of your choice and 512 Mb of RAM (or more if your needs demand it, no point going over that if you wont use it!).

oldfart is right though - theres no such thing as a PII 200.