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Server Question...

R

REDtoLINE

Member
Ok, so i am looking to buy a dedicated server, and there is going to be this one site for this business i own, which will have an average of 200 people on the site at the same time, so what kind of server specs should i look for if i need to support that many people at once, also, could i get specs for both an intel setup and an amd setup, because i really think i might go with an opteron server instead. Also, if you know of any cheap places to get a dedicated server, any help is appreciated, thanks
 
Cheap Place to get a dedicated server? Try checking dell out when they have their servers on sale.
 
Generally speaking, for 200 users a dedicated server is not entirely necessary...it's really a bit of overkill in terms of price and capability, although if you expect your number of users to grow dramatically over time, then it does make sense to start off with a dedicated server.

For 200 users however, if you have a robust enough Internet connection a middle to high-end system using standard desktop parts should be able to handle things, depending on exactly what the users are doing. To do the desktop route, I would recommend:

CPU - P4 w/ HyperThreading or dual-core, or dual-core Athlon64. A fast single-core Athlon64 chip might also work, but dual-core will have a very tangible benefit in a server scenario.

Mainboard - You'll want a high-end, name brand board. Overclocking features are not essential, but make sure you get one that has gigabit ethernet, and at least 4 SATA ports on a single controller (for making a RAID 0+1 array).

RAM - 2 GB, no less, of whatever type is suitable to your CPU/mainboard. Speed is not essential in this case, so some nice, reliable value RAM will be okay.

HDD's - Depending on your usage model, and how much data the site actually needs to store, I'd say get 4 200 GB disks, and set up a RAID 0+1 array (or a RAID-5 if your board's controller allows it). This will give you 400 GB of space (more if you do a RAID-5) and fault tolerance.

PSU - Any of the commonly recommended models from manufacturers like EnerMax, Antec, or OCZ.

OS - Windows Server or some flavor of Enterprise Linux.


The above can probably be had for under about $2,000...or, if you want to go the true server route, and use real server parts to come up with something that's far more capable and far more scalable (and far more costly), I would recommend:

CPU - 2x dual-core Opterons of whatever model number you can budget for.

Mainboard - Any server board with dual socket 940 and 4 SATA ports on a single controller (for same reasons as above).

RAM - 4 GB, use registered/ECC if your mainboard supports it.

HDD's - Same as above.

PSU - Not really sure, never had to power a server-class system before.

OS - Same as above.

Optional Extra - SCSI Controller card, or SATA add-in card, to allow support for additional drives and hardware RAID-5.


...this definately takes thing up to around probably the $3,000 range or more, but it will perform and scale a lot more impressively than the desktop based server.
 
Originally posted by: Some1ne
Generally speaking, for 200 users a dedicated server is not entirely necessary...it's really a bit of overkill in terms of price and capability, although if you expect your number of users to grow dramatically over time, then it does make sense to start off with a dedicated server.

For 200 users however, if you have a robust enough Internet connection a middle to high-end system using standard desktop parts should be able to handle things, depending on exactly what the users are doing. To do the desktop route, I would recommend:

CPU - P4 w/ HyperThreading or dual-core, or dual-core Athlon64. A fast single-core Athlon64 chip might also work, but dual-core will have a very tangible benefit in a server scenario.

Mainboard - You'll want a high-end, name brand board. Overclocking features are not essential, but make sure you get one that has gigabit ethernet, and at least 4 SATA ports on a single controller (for making a RAID 0+1 array).

RAM - 2 GB, no less, of whatever type is suitable to your CPU/mainboard. Speed is not essential in this case, so some nice, reliable value RAM will be okay.

HDD's - Depending on your usage model, and how much data the site actually needs to store, I'd say get 4 200 GB disks, and set up a RAID 0+1 array (or a RAID-5 if your board's controller allows it). This will give you 400 GB of space (more if you do a RAID-5) and fault tolerance.

PSU - Any of the commonly recommended models from manufacturers like EnerMax, Antec, or OCZ.

OS - Windows Server or some flavor of Enterprise Linux.


The above can probably be had for under about $2,000...or, if you want to go the true server route, and use real server parts to come up with something that's far more capable and far more scalable (and far more costly), I would recommend:

CPU - 2x dual-core Opterons of whatever model number you can budget for.

Mainboard - Any server board with dual socket 940 and 4 SATA ports on a single controller (for same reasons as above).

RAM - 4 GB, use registered/ECC if your mainboard supports it.

HDD's - Same as above.

PSU - Not really sure, never had to power a server-class system before.

OS - Same as above.

Optional Extra - SCSI Controller card, or SATA add-in card, to allow support for additional drives and hardware RAID-5.


...this definately takes thing up to around probably the $3,000 range or more, but it will perform and scale a lot more impressively than the desktop based server.
Click to expand...



200 users can be a lot depending on what the server is needed for. He'll have to weigh what he perceives will be it's highest number of concurrent users out of that 200 and go from there.

A desktop machine acting as a server may work well in some smaller environments, and perhaps larger environments, for some simple file/print.

Before anyone suggests anything, the poster should tell us what the use of the server is.

Will it be an app server?
Will it be for file/print?
Will it be a radius type server?
Will it be all the above?
How much reliability is he looking for?
and more questions on top of that.
 
Sorry i never responded, i was away on business and i just got back...

Anyway, this server will be used for multiple websites, the one with around 200 users on it at a time will be a ladder site, mostly lots of forum usage, and tournament setups. So there is going to be A LOT of heavy mySQL queries, and PHP scripts running. I would also like to setup some image hosting for the users, and maybe Shoutcast so we can have a radio going on the weekends.

There will also be a few clients of mine, which some small shared hosting, and then a few private and more professional sites of mine. Some sites will have applications for various things, and others will have frequent ordering of producsts, using a link with paypal.

Finally, i would also like to use the server for CS:Source once in awhile. It will not be a 24/7 server, but i would like to use it for CS:Source once in a while.

So all this would be done on this one server, and i know i do not want to go with a desktop setup, im looking to go the AMD route with Opterons.

Dual-Core Opterons are out of my league, and ill settle for 2 Single Core Opterons, and then probably 2GB of RAM. I will start off with 2 x 250GB SATA II HDs, on a RAID 1 setup. Reliability is VERY important, i would like to have my data safe and secure. I will be making constant mySQL data backups of EVERYTHING, and occasional file backups as well.

The one thing i havnt fully decided on, is whether to co-locate the server, or connect it at my office. I thought it might be cool to have it at the office, and get a T1 or better internet connection. I used to be a home builder, and have many friends that work for companies like comcast, and other various internet providers, and i was planning on talking to them to see what they could arrange.

Basically, what kind of speeds would i be looking for, to have this server connected at my office. I already have a gas powered generator, so power loss will not be a problem. I just need to know what internet upstream speeds i should look for.

Also, since i will just have this setup in my office, i dont technically need a 1U server rackmount case, i could just go with a different ATX computer case, would that be a better choice as well?

I have all this stuff running through my head, and i just need to get it sorted out. I extremely appreciate all the help you have given me so far, and any more help just makes me more greatful. Thanks
 
I would propose you find a near by datacenter, and if there is one, buy a server and use their colocation services. Usually this option will be less expensive after the first year. Although you do have to take care of the server yourself. Dedicated servers often cost a lot more than they should for that type of machine. You could always go look at http://www.hostindex.com/ for a larger list of hosts

Good luck!
 
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