New Server

[demont]

Hi All

Looking at purchasing a new server for our next HyperV host, we currently have:

2x HP DL380 G5 running Xen (migrating to hyperv)
1x HP DL380 G5 running HyperV1

I was looking at purchasing a HP DL380 G7 with 8 cores (intel) and 32gb RAM. I have received quotes from resellers all at simular prices but one company this week called out the blue. Given them the opportunity to quote for the same server specs and came in £700 under the others, bit concerned!

Could you advise on server hardware resellers you use, and possible server spec?

Thanks in advance

[Tallwood_6]

I'm sure some of the edugeek sponsors would be happy to quote, Id be tempted to price up some DL380 G8 as well.

[stevenlong1985]

HP DL385 G7 is really good too, its what I'm using. 16 cores (AMD 2x 8 core processors) you get more cores with AMD version compared to the same price as an Intel. its worth thinking about if you want to running more VMs

[Eben]

Is there an issue with virtualizing between different CPU platforms in a clustered hyperv/vmware environment.

What suppliers would you recommend, still not sure about this new reseller being £700 cheaper!

[Michael]

Cutting corners on a server just isn't worth it. It's the one thing school's should spend a decent amount of money on.

[stevenlong1985]

the issues is if you use AMD servers with VMs and move the VMs to Intel Servers or the over way around it wouldn't work. However If you keep you servers cluster all AMD or all intel you'll be fine.
Im not sure about moving from Xen to hyper V if you can keep your VMs. Mostly likely you cant. however im not 100% sure, you might have to start from scratch and rebuild VMs.

My setup is 2 x HP DL385 (60GB RAM,) G7, 1 x SAN HP P2000 G3 all the VMs are stored on the SAN.

I also think its worth taking out the HP hardware cover for 3 years. That will cover you for any of the hardware and its worth taking out some onsite support from the supplier. Just to cover your back, if anything goes wrong.
just incase you need to rebuild you Vms make sure that any specialized software from other 3rd parties are willing to come out and re-install the software on the VMS normally extra charges. (bit of an issue we had)
just stuff like your MIS, if that is on you VM there will add additional charges for an engineer to move it.
and make sure you have a good backup system like a NAS or something. I really didnt want to go down the tapes route.

like @Michael Just dont cut corners, its not worth it.

Steve

[localzuk]

We have just today ordered 2 DL385's for virtualising our server infrastructure. 96GB RAM each, AMD 6176 x2 each. The server comes with 3 year next business day onsite warranty as standard. They come in at £4.5k each roughly.

We're tying it together with a FC switch and FC HBAs, connecting to a Dell R610 running Windows Storage Server, which is acting as the SAN connected to a MD1000 DAS array.

[Eben]

As per above, I am to stick with intel as all my other servers are the same.
What suppliers are you guys using?

All data will be stored on our SAN.

[localzuk]

After getting quotes from 3 companies, the best value ended up being IDN Supplies Ltd - speak to Paul Topham.

Cheers
Tony

[RTFM]

We bought our HP DL360 G7 hosts from @Millgate and got a very good price for them