Looking for server

gman4471 · Post by **gman4471** » Tue May 20, 2003 9:50 pm

Hey, Here are some specs:

Motherboard;

I like AMD and being a direct reseller I can get there parts cheaper than Intel. The motherboard is Dual Processor and I chose two AMD MP-2400 running at 2 ghz. You can upgrade to the MP-2600 if you want, it’s a .13 ghz difference. The motherboard has an integrated (ooooo ahhhhhhh) RAID system I wanted to go with a SCSI raid since there would be no price difference for me J but since price was a big factor and because of there speed and reliability a 200gb SCSI drive can easily cost well over $1,000. So I went with an IDE raid system.

Memory:

2 sticks of 512 DDR upgradeable to 6

Storage:

6 Western Digital 200 gb. IDE HD on raid system (I know you said 8- see notes below) but 6 drives should be plenty of space.

Case:

2U Rack Mount case with 6 hot swappable drive slots – you said something about paying by the U so I wasn’t sure if space was a big issue or not so I went with the 2 U case. It is much more difficult to assemble but I will do it for you for no extra charge.
Video:
I’ Video is not onboard so I will see what toss in

32X ~ ish CDROM (I have to see what I have), Floppy Drive included

Cables, Fans, Heat syncs ----- I’ll add them Free J

Warranty:

All of my systems come with a minimum 1 year warranty parts and labor. That I can get into more detail later.

Notes:

The Raid controller can handle more than 6 drives so I believe I can add 2 more but they wont be hot swap.
Overall I think you will find much greater performance with AMD than with Pentium Processors. The hardware itself is very reliable and includes voltage, heat, and system status sensors to make sure minimize problems.

So, What’s the grand total? -------- $4,000

Tell me what you think so I can start to lock in the current prices

-thanks

gman4471 · Post by **gman4471** » Tue May 20, 2003 11:09 pm

Error Correction-------------

The price includes the AMD MP-2600 upgrade making each processor 2.13 ghz

Org Profile · Post by **Phade** » Wed May 21, 2003 9:22 pm

Hey gman4471,

The reason I want to use the 3Ware card is because the server can then have 6 drives in raid 5 with two hot-spare drives. This way, a maximum of 3 drives can melt and the array will still be running fine. I don't want to ever have to take down that server to replace a drive, ever.

The 3Ware card requires a 64bit PCI slot, which limits the number of available motherboards. Squeezing all that down to a 2U case with sufficient cooling is going to be a challange, but I think it can be done.

See what you can come up with specificually using the 3Ware card, 8 drives, and the 2U case.

Thanks again for your help!! ^_^

Phade.

gman4471 · Post by **gman4471** » Sun May 25, 2003 9:13 pm

Here’s what I got,

I’m keeping the same motherboard minus the onboard RAID

As for the RAID controller I have decided to go with High Point. There newest model has just arrived with us and it is just if not more reliable than the 3 Ware card, and is much cheaper so it wont bring up the total. Plus it supports RAID 5 still allowing 3 drives to Melt, Crash, Burn, Explode, without damaging the drive array. It also has management software for all operating systems just like 3 Wares.

The case is a different story, after 6 hot swap bays prices start to rise much quicker. The 8 bay case is about $700-ish opposed to a $315-ish 6 bay case. To top things off these cases do not use standard CD and floppy disk drives, instead they use slimmer drives that are smaller and take up less space and are more expensive. These changes will increase the total by $300

- Tell me what you think

FurryCurry · Post by **FurryCurry** » Fri May 30, 2003 6:54 pm

Hey Phade,

I have a Gig of registered, ecc PC2100 RAM I'm not using (4x256Mb), and may not use again, since none of the mobos I have right now will support it.

Here's the product link: http://www.crucial.com/store/PartSpecs. ... 65&cat=RAM

If you want it, let me know where to send it. It tested out fine when I last ran memtest86 on it.

I also have a pair of Athlon MP 1900's, same story as above.

I may put this stuff up for sale in July if you don't ask for it by then.

gman4471 · Post by **gman4471** » Mon Jun 02, 2003 5:08 pm

Hey Phade and FurryCurry

The memory should work fine with the motherboard since all of the pieces are the same size and considering they work.

As for the processors it depends on whether or not you want to lower yourself down to the MP 1900’s from the MP 2600’s.

……….But ill take them if they need a home

Daku-Tenchi · Post by **Daku-Tenchi** » Thu Jun 05, 2003 7:51 pm

Hey Phade,

I’ve been going over the server you need. I don’t think a 2U chassis is going to work for your application. None of the manufacturers I have spoken with have an IDE hot-swap solution for a 2U. I can do what you need with a 4U. Let me know if that is an option.

Raito no Tenshi

Org Profile · Post by **Phade** » Thu Jun 05, 2003 8:14 pm

Hey Daku-Tenchi,

Other companies have found 2U 8-drive chassis. Example (though not the cheapest). The hosting will cost per-U, so minimizing is a good thing. 4U would be cheaper for the machine, but more costly overall for hosting.

Phade.

Daku-Tenchi · Post by **Daku-Tenchi** » Fri Jun 06, 2003 5:04 pm

I found that case. The manufacturer says it is new and will not be
available until next week. For that reason, they would not give me a
price, but I'll find out.

Also, what raid level does you want to run

gman4471 · Post by **gman4471** » Fri Jun 06, 2003 6:46 pm

Hey Phade,

I talked to my supplier and he has agreed to sell me the 2U 8 hot Swap bay case for the same price as the 2U 6 hot swap bay case. This will shave about $300 off the price. Also since I will be putting in a large order soon I may be able to get a bulk order discount.

-Tell me what you think