Advice on server hardware please 1

[sixtoedsloth]

Hi there,

Im looking to build a new database server based on openserver 5.0.6, i would value your opinions on which
mobo, disks,tape drive and raid card to use.

it will be a database server running powerflex
and needs to be fast, although the quantity of data isnt massive, (about 20Gb) it will be running a factory production system an needs to be very fast.

budget is upto 7000 UKP

Regards,

Russ

 

[fredericofonseca]

HP, IBM, Fujitsu or Compaq would be the best choices in my opinion.

You really need something with SCSI 320, HD with 10/15K, Raid controler with a minimum of 128KB cache, and 1GB RAM (minimum).


For backup, bearing in mind that you already have 20GB of info I would go to a "VXA-2 Packet Tape Drive Internal 60/120GB" from exabyte. Price around 900 UKP.



The following is an example I build on HP.uk. Several other options exist, but prices will be very different. If your budged was slightly bigger I would go for a smart array card 6404 which is 1200 + vat instead of the 5302, and the HD would be 15K instead of 10K
Note that I choosed 73GB hd. This is to allow expansion, as 36GB will only give you around 10GB size to expand.
NBote that the price is for two processors, and this will imply buying a SMP license also.

hp ProLiant ML350 G3 Intel® Xeon(tm) Processor 2.40 GHz 512K 256M SCSI
269787-421 £ 1,119.00 £ 1,119.00
hp ProLiant ML350 G3 Intel® Xeon(tm) Processor 2.40 GHz 512K 256M SCSI
269787-421 £ 1,119.00 £ 1,119.00
Smart Array 5302/128 Controller
283552-B21 £ 945.00 £ 945.00
Intel Xeon 2.40GHz 512KB Processor Option Kit
257913-B21 £ 379.00 £ 379.00
512MB of Advanced ECC PC2100 DDR SDRAM DIMM Memory Kit (1x512MB)
287496-B21 £ 209.00 £ 209.00
72.8GB 10,000 rpm, U320 Universal Hard Drive, 1"
286714-B22 £ 399.00 *3 £ 1,197.00

subtotal £ 4,968.001
total VAT £ 869.43
total £ 5,837.43


Regards

Frederico Fonseca
SysSoft Integrated Ltd

http://www.syssoft-int.com

 

[tshot]

how about a dual processor from start ? databases do like to do multiple jonbs at a time. alternatively look for HT enabled XEON if u opt for 5.0.7. its update and maintenacne pack 1 list Hyper therading support


----------------
ur feed back is a welcome desire

 

[sixtoedsloth]

i like the idea of dual processor, and thanks for the compaq/Hp details, but i was wondering about a home brew system, as i thought i might get more bang per buck, or since im english, pizzaz per pound ;->

although im willing to be convinced otherwise!

cheers,

Russ

 

[fredericofonseca]

You did say that it was a PRODUCTION machine. One should not fool around with those.

The setup's I mentione are know to normally work fine (Compaq's can have their quirks!!)

From

http://www.scan.co.uk

Does not include raid, as they don't have any of the ones I would use. You would need to shop around. (Adaptec, COMPAQ, TEKRAM, LSI)

Your basket contents ::
Description (£)Exc VAT (£)Inc VAT Total
1U – Supermicro Superserver 6013 P8, Dual P4 Xeon 533fsb £864.00 £1,015.20 £1,015.20

(3) 73.5GB IBM 80Pin U320 SCA LVD 4.9ms 10Krpm 8Mb cache £224.00 £263.20 £789.60

(2) 2.8GHz Intel® Pentium® 4 Xeon™ 533FSB CPU 512K Cache (Prestonia) £229.00 £269.08 £538.15 Remove

(2) Corsair 512Mb ECC Registered DDR PC2100 Low Profile £130.00 £152.75 £305.50

I
Net Total £2,254.00


Regards

Frederico Fonseca
SysSoft Integrated Ltd

http://www.syssoft-int.com

 

[sixtoedsloth]

thats fantastic! a star for you.
and i live not 5 miles from scan as well!!

that server seems to include scsi raid, but says the controller card is optional. whatever that means

what tape drive would you specify?

Thanks for your time, its much appreciated.

Regards,


Russ

 

[fredericofonseca]

see my previous post.


Regards

Frederico Fonseca
SysSoft Integrated Ltd

http://www.syssoft-int.com

 

[tshot]

would DELL be worth a try ? do'nt fporget upgrading to 5.0.7 if u wish the Hyper Thread (HT) advatage. Xeon 3.0 upwards surly have HT. I am not sure of below them

pls send in ur comments about dell. i have heard lot about them but never used them






----------------
ur feedback is a very welcome deisre

 

[apeasecpc]

Beware of certain models of Compaq as there have been lots of posts on this forum about problems getting them set up with SCO. You should do a search for whatever machine or components you are considering to see if anyone here has run into trouble with them.

For a server I suggest you stay away from the brands that are typically marketed to non-IT users (like Dell or Gateway) as they are usually built for low cost over quality. Now I am not saying that there is anything wrong with them as a workstation, but you want to make sure you get the best quality stuff for a server.

What really makes a server good or not good is the components, not the manufacturer. If you're trying to save money you are better off buying QUALITY components and putting the server together yourself. You can component together a server that is easily as good as the big name brands. Of course you will have more options for manufacturer support with a name brand so the real decision factor is how much support you need.

 

[eyedoc1975]

Hi Russ,
We have had good luck with ACER servers. They use Server-works chipsets and new one supports DDR rams( Model
510 and higher). These servers are also dual CPU capable.
You will have to buy a seperate license from SCO for a
second CPU. If you go with these servers than you will need
Open server 5.07 which has support for DDRs rams but not
5.06.
Hope that this will help.
Cheers.