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server suggestions?

A

arameth

Member
I'm looking at purchasing a server (or servers?) for use at home, but on a professional basis. The servers I had access to as my sandbox are gone (along with my old job...hehe), so I need to setup my own dedicated environment.

So, my needs are:

1. CPU: Must be 64bit capable, with Intel VT or AMD-V (will be running Vmware, Xen, and/or Hyper-V). Don't need more than 2 cores, as I won't be loading the system with users.

2. memory: 4GB minimum

3. Disk: as close to 1TB as possible, without breaking the bank. HW RAID is nice to have, but not necessary.


My initial thought was to pick up a "pre-owned" IBM x series, Dell PowerEdge or HP ProLiant from ebay or reseller. The problem I'm running into is that to get the memory (is typically registered) and the disk (usually u320 10k) I'll have to spend a small fortune. I know the benefits are great, but I simply cannot break the bank on this purchase.

So my alternative thought was to go on the cheap...maybe pick up a business class workstation, load it up with SATA drives, and save a bundle. That, and the noise/heat factor should be way lower compared to the rack mount servers. But I'm a little concerned that the performance will really be lacking. I'm totally lost on what brand/model/config may be well suited for this usage. Any thoughts or suggestions? Anyone have a home server setup that they can recommend?

thanks in advance!
 
Can you explain what is it that you call sever?

You are discussing hardware however it Not clear what the Hardware is suppose to do.

 
Thanks for responding Jack.

To be more specific, I'm referring to IBM compatible Servers, which will be acting as Application and Infrastructure servers. I will be using Vmware ESX 3.5 (or maybe MS Hyper-V when available). I will be running 4 guest OS's...1 Win2008 Server, 1 Win2003 Server, 1 Ubutnu Server, 1 Citrix/XenApp server.

The Win2008 server will be configured as a DC, DNS, DHCP, etc.

The Win2003 will be running as member server, maybe IIS

the Ubuntu server will be running as file server and other various purposes

The Citrix/XenApp will be for remote access...no more than 2 or 3 users at a time, running various apps such as Office.

I guess what I'm looking for is for feedback from folks who have a home server enviornment, and what their experience has been. Is it better to pony up several grand for a server class machine (i.e. IBM/Dell/HP) with U320 drives, registered memory, etc? Or is anyone using a well built workstation (i.e. Dell, etc) and having good results? And if so, what are the specs on their machine?

Thanks!


 
I'd probably buy the least-expensive Dell server that meets your CPU requirements. Those can all be purchased without an OS. That'll give you a good-quality power supply and the ability to use ECC RAM, which I'd recommend. It's pricey, but it pretty much avoids having to worry about memory errors.

I wouldn't bother with SCSI. You could likely get away with a single 1TB SATA drive, along with at least one external SATA 1TB drive for full system backups. Since you are running virtual servers, you should be able to restore your servers pretty easily if you make a mistake and need to wipe one.
 
Originally posted by: RebateMonger
I'd probably buy the least-expensive Dell server that meets your CPU requirements. Those can all be purchased without an OS. That'll give you a good-quality power supply and the ability to use ECC RAM, which I'd recommend. It's pricey, but it pretty much avoids having to worry about memory errors.

I wouldn't bother with SCSI. You could likely get away with a single 1TB SATA drive, along with at least one external SATA 1TB drive for full system backups. Since you are running virtual servers, you should be able to restore your servers pretty easily if you make a mistake and need to wipe one.
Click to expand...

I beat you with a stick for recommending Dell, WTF man, WTF! what a horrible company, with horrible hardware and horrible support.

are there any rack requirements or are you looking for a box? also you can get away from using Citrix if you use terminal server, does the same exact thing but one costs a who lot more than the other. I also know some people are stuck in their citrix ways or that citrix does things that TS doesn't but in 85% of the case TS gets a long just fine.

Sun hardware would be my first choice http://www.sun.com/servers/entry/x2100/ they re-duxed these a while back, used to be able to put 4 hard drives in them but they found people still need/demand the disk drive, makes OS loading so much easier 😉. and 2 1tb drives in a raid 1 array and you're good to go.

I also like this one 🙂 http://www-03.ibm.com/systems/...rack/x3350/index.html

just buy them w/o hard drives and roll your own.
 
Narzy,

What issues are you having with Dell servers? We run a lot of Dell servers and I would have to say I recomend them 100%! We have had absolutely no issues with any of ours at all and have had excellent support on them. As far as any IBM goes we have had a number of system board failures on them. Enough to keep a spare motherboard in stock for the occasion.

John

Originally posted by: narzy
Originally posted by: RebateMonger
I'd probably buy the least-expensive Dell server that meets your CPU requirements. Those can all be purchased without an OS. That'll give you a good-quality power supply and the ability to use ECC RAM, which I'd recommend. It's pricey, but it pretty much avoids having to worry about memory errors.

I wouldn't bother with SCSI. You could likely get away with a single 1TB SATA drive, along with at least one external SATA 1TB drive for full system backups. Since you are running virtual servers, you should be able to restore your servers pretty easily if you make a mistake and need to wipe one.
Click to expand...

I beat you with a stick for recommending Dell, WTF man, WTF! what a horrible company, with horrible hardware and horrible support.

are there any rack requirements or are you looking for a box? also you can get away from using Citrix if you use terminal server, does the same exact thing but one costs a who lot more than the other. I also know some people are stuck in their citrix ways or that citrix does things that TS doesn't but in 85% of the case TS gets a long just fine.

Sun hardware would be my first choice http://www.sun.com/servers/entry/x2100/ they re-duxed these a while back, used to be able to put 4 hard drives in them but they found people still need/demand the disk drive, makes OS loading so much easier 😉. and 2 1tb drives in a raid 1 array and you're good to go.

I also like this one 🙂 http://www-03.ibm.com/systems/...rack/x3350/index.html

just buy them w/o hard drives and roll your own.
Click to expand...

 
For that scenario I built an intel motherboard based machine. No, I did not use ECC ram and no I have not had memory errors.
 
There are companies out there that sell used G3 HP ProLiants. I'm now using 2 used DL380s and two DL360s and both work flawlessly.

I think we paid $600 for each of the DL360s we bought, and they included 2gb RAM, 2x 3.0ghz Xeon processors, and 2x 15K RPM 36gb U320 drives. For the DL380s, we paid a bit more, but got redundant power supplies and more hard drives.

I can't remember the name of the company we bought them from, but they're great machines and work well. Plus, iLO is one of the best server features EVER. I'll look it up and let you know what company we bought them from...I'm sure they have some ML350s somewhere.
 
I was thinking about Dell too..that is on my list of things to check. I am looking at this one in particular:

PowerEdge T105
SYSTEM COMPONENTS
PowerEdge T105 Qty 1
Dual Core AMD® Opteron? 1210; 1.8GHz,2X1MB Cache, No Operating System Unit Price $866.00
Save $407 on select PowerEdge T105 servers through Dell Small Business!
Special Offer View Details
- $407.00

Catalog Number: 4 BEDWV1F
Module Description Show Details
PowerEdge T105 Dual Core AMD® Opteron? 1210; 1.8GHz,2X1MB Cache
Operating System No Operating System
Memory 4GB, DDR2, 800MHz, 4x1GB,Dual Ranked DIMMs
Keyboard No Keyboard Option
Monitor No Monitor Option
Primary Hard Drive 250GB 7.2K RPM SATA 3Gbps 3.5-in Cabled Hard Drive
Floppy Drive No Floppy Drive
Mouse No Mouse
Network Adapter On-Board Single Gigabit Network Adapter
CD/DVD Drive 16X SATA DVD Drive
System Documentation Electronic Documentation and Open Manage CD Kit
Second Hard Drive 250GB 7.2K RPM SATA 3Gbps 3.5-in Cabled Hard Drive
Hard Drive Configuration Onboard SATA, 1-2 Drives conneted to onboard SATA controller - No RAID
Hardware Support Services 1Yr Basic Hardware Warranty Repair: 5x10 HW-Only, 5x10 NBD Onsite
Installation Support Services No Installation

TOTAL:$459.00

I'd replace the 2nd 250GB drive with a 1TB drive I purchase on my own (doesn't seem like I can drop it from the config), and I like your idea on using an external drive as backup. Of course, I'll keep my eye out for any "hot deals" that may pop up, but I didn't think the price was too steep.

My other idea:

Buying one of the XPS 420's I've seen some deals on...getting a Q6550 and load it w/ 4GB and put some larger drives in it, and probably pay around the same.

Thanks for helping me kick these ideas around.
 
Dell really isn't that bad. Granted, they're no IBM or HP, but they'll get the job done for less money. If I needed world class top tier support, and money was no object, then I'd likely stay away from them. But since my budget is limited and I don't need 5 9's of uptime or anything, they are OK in my book.

No rack requirements...for home use. As far as Citrix, I have worked with it for years now...and I am using it for testing purposes, so Terminal Server alone won't do.

Thanks!
 
Originally posted by: arameth
I'd replace the 2nd 250GB drive with a 1TB drive I purchase on my own (doesn't seem like I can drop it from the config), and I like your idea on using an external drive as backup.
Click to expand...
My thought is that, if you find that you REALLY need a RAID 5 array for speed, you can always add your own RAID controller. And, say, three 500GB drives to build a 1TB RAID 5 array. You'll then have two 1TB drives for backups, which is A GOOD THING.
 
Ah...I like your thinking as far as RAID 5...the speed and reliability would be nice to have, and is what I'm used to. This is why I love these forums...lots of good ideas.

Thanks to everyone who relied so far. Anyone else actually runnning a similar config at home? Anyone using Vmware ESX, Xen or MSVS on a non-server class machine and want to share their experience?

 
Is it better to pony up several grand for a server class machine (i.e. IBM/Dell/HP) with U320 drives, registered memory, etc? Or is anyone using a well built workstation (i.e. Dell, etc) and having good results?
Click to expand...

Doesn't matter. The limitation here is going to be maxium RAM available, and that's your main criteria. Just make sure the box can take at least 8gig because that's what you'll want with all those virtual machines. 4gig is really, really going to be tight and offer limited tinkering and a lot of fiddling with VM resources.

Dell Precision Workstations make killer servers because they are built as good as any mid-line server from any vendor.

Also, somebody needs to get a clue and understand the difference between IBM AS400s and IBM x386 Servers. Because IBM makes reliable mainframes doesn''t mean squat regarding their x386 servers. Case in point I've had less problems with integrated Dell Perc RAID than IBM SCSI RAID by a long shot.

Three 500gig Drives get you one Terrabyte in RAID 5. Probably the most practical way to get there. SATA is fine.

Yes, you preferably want ECC memory if it's a production box. You can always buy the stock machine with limited memory and jack up memory from a different source. Just price it out.

You want a Quad Core....doesn't matter if it's a Xeon or not, but it should be a Quad Core.

I can spend hours arguing about Citrix -vs- TS, but if you use both you already know the differences. Citrix essentially straps on top of TS and gives you improved client side features and some better clustering tools. If you can deal with the added administration of patching and maintaining Citrix itself, then you can establish your own needs.
 
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