Server configuration for 1000 emps

[Rosee]

Can any one out there help me to find information about the configuration for a server whcih would allow 1000 employees access on line at the same time from different locations, nationally and internationally? The access could be done via Internet or Interant.

I need the following information:
name of manufactury(ex: Dell, ComPaq, ....)
Size of memory(256, 512.....)
Size of storage(100GB)
Type of controller
Operating system
Database system
License information
Firewall
Back up device

It would be great I could also get the cost infomation about the above items.
Any suggestions about how the system could be configured and set up would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks a lot.

 

[bjverzal]

Actually, in this case, I would let the application determine the operating system, which would in turn determine the hardware platform.

For example, if the application runs on Windows platforms only, then the operating system has been defined. If however, it runs on UNIX, then a determination must be made as to which flavor of UNIX (IBM AIX, Sun SOLARIS, HP HP-UX, Linux...). If it runs on Novell, then of course you have to go with Novell. If there are choices of operating system, then the determination must be made based on the expertise of personnel within the company. If the application is a UNIX application, but you have no UNIX expertise, you are in trouble.

So, look at the requirements of the application. That will determine the operating system. Once you have that, you can determine the hardware platform. From there, you'll need to know:

- # of concurrent users (for server load)
- # of total users (for licensing)
- # of printers
- # of transactions per second
- How much batch processing
- How big is the backup window
- How critical is downtime (can you afford 1 hour, 1 day or none)
- Do you need to keep historical data online
- Do you need fault tolerance of the data only
- Do you need fault tolerance of the entire environment

Only once you get this level of information, can you begin to get the necessary information required to make a well informed decision.

If you nede more, just write back.

Bill.

 

[Rosee]

Bill, thanks for getting back to me. See CAPs or numbers below:

- # of concurrent users (1000)
- # of total users (50,000)
- # of printers(500)
- # of transactions per second(NOT SURE)
- How much batch processing
- How big is the backup window
- How critical is downtime (can you afford 1 hour, 1 day or none)(VERY CRITICAL)
- Do you need to keep historical data online(YES)
- Do you need fault tolerance of the data only
- Do you need fault tolerance of the entire environment

The purpose for setting up this system is to allowed 1000 users access on-line training at any given time from diferent countries. Users would use any type of modems to connect the system(dial-up, DSL, T1, T3...). They may chat on-lone if they need to.

Mainly, this is just a web server with database software which can handle e-learning stuff(course content, chat room, discussions, feedback, test scoring....). It could use any operating system. But it would be better if this one could be intergrate to company's existing systems, UNIX, Windows NT, .....). The firewall is another components that is required.

Thanks a lot.

 

[bjverzal]

If the training involves streaming video, then you are talking about a pretty beefy server. If there is no streaming video, then you are talking about a big server. Let me define how I size up servers...

from smallest to largest:

tiny, small, medium, large, big, beefy, huge

Examples:

tiny: 1-way Intel based with 512MB memory, Win2K
small: SMP Intel based with 512MB memory, Win2K
medium: SMP XEON Intel based with > 1GB memory
SMP 2-way UNIX based with > 1GB memory
large: SMP 4 way UNIX based with > 4GB memory
big: SMP 8 way UNIX based with > 6GB memory
beefy: SMP 8-12way UNIX based with >12GB memory
huge: SMP >12-way UNIX based with >20GB memory

These are general categories I have set up in my mind, and aren't really concrete, as much as general sizing guidelines I have.

Obviously, the real server configuration will be based on TPS (currently unknown) and other factors that determine server load (the streaming video among others).

Consider also the web server software(if UNIX, then I'd go with Apache for sure). The web server software must be able to scale up to match the hardware, or else it is like putting a 4-cylinder engine in a Corvette.

Bill.

 

[Rosee]

Thanks for the infor. now I need to find the cost of the server. first, I would like to know the performace between different servers(IBM netfinide, Compaq proLiant 5500, Dell PowerEdge Tower Servers, etc...). If you know any place which would give such information, please post the web sites here. your help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[bjverzal]

Hopefully others can help with this, as I don't have the resources for this.

Bill.