New Server hardware recommendations..

[baronne]

...we're consolidating two file servers into one. I'm just looking into hardware options.. looking at an HP GL380 which has 6 disk containers... I'm just wondering if these 6 disks will cover us for expansion or whether it is sensible to consider something like the HP Smart Array 1000? - We're also looking at buying an Exchange server which I have posted in the exchange forum, but perhaps it would be useful to know that as it could perhaps work with the SAN, etc. if necessary.
We have 1000 users and around 400 machines.
suggestions?
cheers
Baronne

:: baronne
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"lekker, shot bru

 

[JGALEY]

I would size the file server based on the amount of current data to be stored, plus allowance for reasonable growth over the next 4-5 years. If you can afford the drives, you can pack a lot of storage space into a 4 or 6 disk RAID 5 array.

It really depends on the amount of data. For what it is worth, I have about 175 users on about 150 machines, and we have had a Dell PE 2500 with 6 drives going strong for about 4 years, and the drives are only 36 GB each. I am just beginning to see the need for more storage after all this time. The amount of data has almost tripled over the years. Would your data storage needs triple in the next 5 years?

HTH,

Jason

http://www.catotek.com

 

[sysadmin123]

We just recently upgraded to Dual Xeon systems and they run great...we have RAID 5 going with four redundant drives that are hot swapable.

 

[baronne]

so which server make/model did you go for? how many disks?
when you say you've got RAID5 with 4 redundany drives.. is RAID5 not made up of three disks?

:: baronne
------------------
"lekker, shot bru

 

[NortonES2]

RAID 5 needs at least 3 disks, can and often does have more.

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If it doesn't leak oil it must be empty!!