Servers

[cpjitservices]

Anyone know where I can get reasonably low spec and reasonably cheap servers from these days ?

Minimum requirements:
Xeon 2.8 Ghz CPU
1-2 GB RAM
60-80GB Hard Disk (SATA)
2-4x Network Ports (Gigabit)

A client of mine wants pfsense on a server but the cheapest server I've found comes with a 250 GB HDD which is a waste, but they do want it server based otherwise I'd of gone down the embedded route.

Turns out low spec servers are hard to find especially with less than a 250GB HDD in them - Pfsense only uses about 600 MB.

Thanks everyone!

[jamesfed]

How much you looking to spend? Rack or Tower? You will want to think of RAID as well - I know its a basic little box but why take the risk

[cpjitservices]

if the price is right then RAID would be a good idea.. Ideally about 300 per server. Preferably Rack mount.

[glennda]

Are you going to cluster them? You could then get away with two second hand devices in which case there are loads on ebay.

[cpjitservices]

Yeah, but we need them to be new devices - no not clustering them as many of our clients don't require it.

I'd thought of the ebay option but it's a case of offering a service so we need to use new kit - we've had more than one request for it too.

[Chris_]

Have you had a look at barebone servers from the likes of Asus/Broadberry etc?

You could build your own alternatively... using desktop parts? An i3/i5 would be powerful enough for a pfSense server wouldn't it?

[localzuk]

Cheapest new 'server' rackmount you'll find is probably the HP DL120 G7. They're about £360 each, but don't come with any hard disks.

http://uk.insight.com/en-gb/producti...34513-00000001

[cpjitservices]

Have you had a look at barebone servers from the likes of Asus/Broadberry etc?

You could build your own alternatively... using desktop parts? An i3/i5 would be powerful enough for a pfSense server wouldn't it?

Yes it would be, the only bit that worries me about using desktop parts is that at the end of the day this device is going to be "switches on" 24/7/365 and needs 99.99% uptime and I'm note sure desktop components would cut the mustard.

Haven't looked at barebones - it's worth a shot though - I'll have a look around.

[cpjitservices]

Cheapest new 'server' rackmount you'll find is probably the HP DL120 G7. They're about £360 each, but don't come with any hard disks.

http://uk.insight.com/en-gb/producti...34513-00000001

Yeah thats the only problem, without HD it's extra cost... thanks though @localzuk

[localzuk]

Yeah thats the only problem, without HD it's extra cost... thanks though @localzuk

You're not going to get a server for £300 or less in a rackmount style. You can get a micro-tower though, the HP MicroServer - http://uk.insight.com/en-gb/producti...72207-00000001

Very cheap, and ideally specced for pfsense I'd say.

[glennda]

Broadberry will do something like you require but will cost you about £600. Although if you are a reseller and can go direct for parts you will find Hammer make most of the broadberry kit AFAIK and will do the warranty. Alternatively there are a couple of other disti's you can approach who will make kit

EDIT: if you go for an Atom based device you can get something for around 400.

[dhicks]

Anyone know where I can get reasonably low spec and reasonably cheap servers from these days ?

The Fit PC3 with 4-port LAN module might be the kind of thing you're looking for:

Fit PC3 - Ultra Small & Robust with AMD G-Series Fusion CPU | Tiny Green PC

Otherwise, LinITX sell all-in-one firewall platform solutions, or you could buy one of their dual-motherboard rackmount cases that takes two mini ITX motherboards and has two power supplies:

LinITX.com

Good for hardware redundancy - never mind redundant power supplies, this gives you redundant everything.

[cpjitservices]

The Fit PC3 with 4-port LAN module might be the kind of thing you're looking for:

Fit PC3 - Ultra Small & Robust with AMD G-Series Fusion CPU | Tiny Green PC

Otherwise, LinITX sell all-in-one firewall platform solutions, or you could buy one of their dual-motherboard rackmount cases that takes two mini ITX motherboards and has two power supplies:

LinITX.com

Good for hardware redundancy - never mind redundant power supplies, this gives you redundant everything.

Thanks @dhicks... I've actually placed an order with LinITX.