Used Compaq Hardware 1

[hnts]

I am in the process of evaluating some used COMPAQ hardware but I need some feedback on some issues that I have regarding USED vs. NEW.

I've dealt with USED hardware before so I know I can get maintenance and O/S software but my concerns are specific to hardware performance for my needs.

My original intent was to purchase all NEW HP hardware, which was to include:

(1) DL-380 2Way 2.4Ghz-G3 w/ 1GB RAM, SCSI Adapter, SmartArray 6402/128 RAID Array w/300GB (RAID 5 Array),HP DAT 72I tape drive

This configuration is much more then I need today but we're growing and I was building infrastructure. Now that the funds are limited I intend to do the same with USED hardware to upgrade our existing systems.

The USED systems that are available to me are rack mounted in a COMPAQ rack and include: (1) COMPAQ DL380 2-way 1.2GHz Processors w/ 1GB RAM, 4 Way SCSI controller, RAID array with 14 Drives (7X18GB, 7X36GB), 35/70GB Tape Drive and Library. Also included are (2) other COMPAQ servers, which I may or may not use.

My current software applications do not currently include any client server applications. I run MAS90 for Accounting and VESTA, an application built around D-baseV. Aside from that O plan to scan allot of files and store them on the array but that's that.

I plan to install Windows 2003 Server SBS. This version apparently is limited to a maximum of 75 users and requires that all services run on one server. That is where my concerns come into play. Can this USED hardware configuration run W2003 and Exchange Server and all the other services W2003 requires? If I'm limited by the SBS version to run on one processor should I maybe consider spending the funds on the next version of W2003 so that I can create a Domain and offload processes to other servers?

The RAID array will provide application and user disk space and the tape drive to backup the system.

Can anyone tell me if this USED hardware configuration is adequate for running the above software configuration to support 50-75 users?

Can I upgrade the G2 1.2GHZ processor, at a later date, with a G3 2.4 or better processor and continue to use the existing RAID array and Tape drive and library?

Will Windows 2003 support a tape library or will I need to get specific software?

Any feedback is appreciated. Thanks in advance.

 

[ntinlin]

Backup - W2003 will not support a tape library by default. You'll need something like Backup Exec or Arcserve. The SBS versions which also do Exchange etc. are quite cheap.

DL380 G2 seems to max out at 1.4Ghz PIII so you'd probably end up adding RAM rather than CPU's.

The config. you outline above should be adequate for SBS2003, even with Exchange. There are a lot of services that 2003 runs that can be turned off without problems.

Upgrade.
If you mean swapping out the server for another then that is probably doable. Only real differences between the G2 and G3 are the NIC's so swapping all the HDD's etc. across to a G3 and bringing up W2003 should work. Can't guarantee it of course. You'd really need to do a ghost image of the system for instance to the new server to test it.

Neill

 

[hnts]

Neill,

Thanks for your feedback.

 

[Shady66]

Hnts... will this be your only server ??

We have everything from DL360's up to DL580's. the 380 is a good box. we use them for AD, File, Email and Citrix servers.

as Neil stated before, you will be limited with the processors in the G2 models.

But you also have to ask yourself, with buying used, are you limiting yourself for expansion ? I know some of our resellers have some pretty good bundle packages going on now.

 

[TheLad]

I agree. The prices of Proliants have come down dramatically. Here in the UK you can get the latest ML530 chassis for around £2500 (comes with 2 x 3.06Ghz processors and 512Mb memory). With the extra memory, hard disks, decent RAID controller, RIB etc... you are looking at around £5000-6000 which is cheap!

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"It's true, its damn true!"
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[hnts]

This will be my only server if I choose to run W2003 SBS which is limited to 1) Running on a single server, 2)Memory access (2GB Limit) and, 3) 75 users. Therefore, all services will run on this one server.

I agree that I should consider where I would be limiting myself by buying USED (G2 PIII 1.2GHz) vs. NEW (G3, P4 2.4Ghz) especially if the SBS version will limit me to one server.

I'm comfortable with the disk and tape configurations if I get Backup Exec for W2003 to run the DLT library. I don't expect any growth and expansion other then what I've already allocated for with my configuration so the question boils down to the money.

I know the processor sppeds are limited on the G2's but are they sufficient for our current needs? What about 1 year down the road? Should I get more processor now and attach the existing RAID controller and disk array to a newer G3 2.4Ghz and 2GB?

...

I just priced a ML seriers machine and it seems to be sifficient and in the same price range. More to follow...

 

[TheLad]

Here in the UK, I use the HP Store website as a reference:

http://www.hpstore.hp.co.uk

-----------------------------------------------------
"It's true, its damn true!"
-----------------------------------------------------

 

[Shady66]

hnts...it does seem to be expecting alot for that one server to do. You are going to have a lot of background processes running at the same time.

also, are these 75 users going to be using this as a File server also ??

We have about 200-250 users and here is a portion of our network:

DL380 Primary Active Domain Controller
Dual Piii-1.2;1 GB 18.1GB Raid 1

DL380 Active Domain-User File Server
Dual Piii-1.2;1 GB Mem;(5) 18.1GB Raid 5

DL380 Exchange 2000
Dual Piii-1.2;1 GB Mem;(5) 18.1GB Raid 5

DL380 Payroll Software, WinPak
Dual Piii-1.2;1 GB Mem;(4) 18.1GB Raid 5

DL380 Citrix / Terminal Server
Dual Piii-1.2;1 GB Mem;(2) 18.1GB Raid 1

DL380 Citrix / Terminal Server-Primary
Dual Piii-1.2;1 GB Mem;(2) 18.1GB Raid 1

DL360 Print Server 2.8/1GB: 36.4Gb Raid 1


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