New Server

[Claytonj25]

I'm researching 2 new server for my offices. I've always used Compaq server but I'm willing to try Dell servers. I wanted to get some input on Dell servers.

The server will be used for Windows 2003 Server/MS Exchange 2003 in one office with @80 users and Windows 2003 Server/MS Exchange 2003/File & Print for my other office with @40 users. I'd like to do a RAID1 on my OS (2x 36gb) and a RAID5 on my data (3x73GB). I was looking at the PowerEdge 2600. Dual Xeon processors and 2GB of RAM. I'm unsure of what the PERC cards are and such. Any input/advise on what direction to go with this will be appreciated.

 

[NickFerrar]

We use a lot of PE2600's here and I like them a lot (considering the price). Assuming you're getting an internal tape backup (LTO etc) then make sure you spec a 39160 card with the server. I've only recently found out the PE2600 has a weird setup otherwise in that it uses the same controller (on-board PERC) but the controller sets one channel to RAID mode (for the RAID backplace) and the second channel to SCSI mode for the tape drive.

In theory this should work fine but in practice we're experiencing quite a few problems and some Dell techs I've spoken to say they shouldn't really be sold like that - we're going to be buying 39160 cards for our servers and connecting the LTO to that rather than sharing the on-board PERC.

Other than that the servers perform well (one we use to host a 150 seat Exchange 5.5 server). I'd be tempted to use a 4600 though for Exchange if given the choice.