server configuration help

[pinhead]

here ya go, pick it apart. Let me begin by saying this is for a small office, for file server and one application running on it. Currently a p166 with 96mb ram and a raid o mirror of 4gb drives are running all this with no problems. Future upgrades of the application running on the server require an upgrade. The database the application uses is a memeber database and is very important data, thus the raid 5 and tape backup. I don't want any hassles if a drive dies so I want hotswap on them. I don't know jack about tape units or the software so could use some help. Any value to putting the os on a ide boot drive so the scsi drives just house data and the application? All input taken. The cost of this config is about $5400 and I'd like to keep it pretty close to that, maybe up to $6000.

PowerEdge 1500SC: PowerEdge 1500SC Intel Pentium® III 1.13GHZ/512K
2nd Processor: Single Processor Only
Memory: 512MB SDRAM (2X256MB),PE1500SC
Keyboard: No Keyboard Option
Monitor: No Monitor Option
1st Hard Drive: 36GB 10K RPM Ultra 160 SCSI Hard Drive
Primary Controller: Perc3-SC,32MB,1 Internal Channel
Diskette Drive: 3.5 in,1.44MB Floppy Drive
Operating System: $200 OFF Microsoft Small Business Server 2000 with 5 Client Licenses
Mouse: No Mouse Option N [310-0024]
First Network Adapter: Onboard NIC
Tape Backup Unit: PV100T, 20/40G, DAT, Half Height, No Controller Included
CDROM OR DVDROM: 48X CD-ROM CD48X [313-2602]
Documentation: Electronic Documentaion, PowerEdge 1500SC
2nd Hard Drive: Free 2nd 36GB 10K RPM Ultra 160 SCSI Hard Drive with 1st 36GB Hard Dirve purchase
Hard Drive Configuration: Drives attached to RAID controller card; RAID 5 - Minimum of 3 drives requi
Hardware Support Services: 3Yr Same Day 4Hr Response Parts + Onsite Labor (M-F 8am-6pm)
Installation Services: No Installation
Power Supply Kits: Non-Redundant Power,PowerEdge 1500SC
3rd Hard Drive: 36GB 10K RPM Ultra 160 SCSI Hard Drive
Tape Media: TAPE,MEDIA,IDE,TR40,20/40G,1PK TR40M1P
Tape Backup Software: Veritas Backup Exec Enhanced, Power Suite
Special Offer: Special Offer - $350 Off
Security Software - Shipped separately: Symantec Antivirus SMB 8.0 (5 User) File Svr/desktop client

 

[thorin]

1)a) How big is your 'member' database? (And what DB is it... Oracle?)
b) What type of i/o does the DB experience (ie: lots of writes, lots of reads, a fairly even mix)?
2) Do you have UPS to put it on?
3) For the situation you seem to be describing Veritas Backup software may not be your best choice. It's fairly complicated, so you may want to look at something like ArcServe.

Thorin

 

[Alptraum]

I would go DLT for you backup. Size wise I think you will be much happier with it. You can pick up 40/80 gig ones in the $1000 range. And they are reliable as hell. And I would also recommend checking out Arcserve. I have used it extensively. From experience I can say it can be a pain in the ass to get set up right but once you do its pretty good. Also it has modules for just about everything including Oracle.

 

[pinhead]

The software is made by Rapattoni, right now it's BTrieve but the next generation will be sql I believe. Our files take up 2 gb right now and the database and app about the same so neither takes up much space. 36gb gives plenty of space to grow and with the current deal three of them are cheaper than three 18gb. It's mostly read on the db but there is some writing as members are added or profiles are edited. This is for a Real Estate Association actually. So you think the:
PV110T,DLTVS80,40/80GB,Half Height,No Controller,Internal [add $1099] and
CA Arcserve Server [$449]
are a better choice? Thanks for the input.

 

[Alptraum]

Yeah. With DLT you get more capacity and better speed. I switched over all my servers DAT drives to DLT about 3 years ago and have had no regrets. I mainly recommend ARCserve based on my experience with it. As I said, it can be a bit of a pain to set it up but once running its great. The pain I had may have been the way I was doing it though (dedicated backup servers that had a RAID array of 5 DLT drives each that back up around 80 servers over the network). They support that but some of the options are abit tricky to get right. But once it was all up and running its been great. Since this is a single server/drive I wouldnt imagine you would have any trouble with it.

 

[Daniel]

Veritas backup exec stomps all over arcserve from what I've heard in the setup department. Then again all my experience is with BE and I've never had a problem.

 

[Alptraum]

I have also heard good things about Veritas. At the time I was moving to DLT they didnt support all the features I needed (and that ARCserve did support) so while I looked at both I was pretty much given little choice. I am pretty sure they support what I need now but I have already commited to ARCserve and am quite happy with it. The main thing I hear from people is with the setup. But I think for normal type stuff like pinhead wants its not going to be an issue. And as I said, once its up and running ARCserve is great and you can get modules for pretty much anything (I run their RAID, Groupwise, Oracle and Open File modules among others).
In a nutshell I think either one would work well for you. If it was me I would go ARCserve just based on experience. But users of Veritas would probably do the same with it. Check out both company's sites and compare. To an extant you could probably flip a coin and be happy with either. The only reason I wouldnt recommend Veritas is I have almost 0 experience with it while I have used ARCserve for years and been happy with it. Blah, now I am rambling. Off to get more coffee...

 

[mcveigh]

I 've used veritas and like it very good very easy to understand.

sounds like a good setup to me.

 

[Ausm]

Originally posted by: Daniel
Veritas backup exec stomps all over arcserve from what I've heard in the setup department. Then again all my experience is with BE and I've never had a problem.

I agree for his situation arcserv is overkill


Ausm

 

[JeffreyLebowski]

So are you asking us for better priced systems, or what? cause for $5400 you should be able to find something similar with a P4 and DDR or rambus memory, which would be better for database serving.

 

[pinhead]

If any of you have suggestions about getting more for the buck I'd love to hear it. I'm comfortable with Dell, I know Compaq makes good servers from what I hear but doing a configuration on their site is more of a pain. I haven't had to spec any servers before so I figured I'd toss it out and get opinions. I don't want to build anything, I want to keep my hands off the thing as much as possible, I have enough to do as it is. The office is only 9-5 so the backup has all night to run. I just want something reliable that will cover the bases to protect the data, and cover the hardware needs of future upgrades to the management software.