Disaster Recovery Virtualization Project

[blu4]

Hello!

 

Some time ago I posted asking for virtualization advice (here: http://www.edugeek.net/forums/thin-client-virtual-machines/144015-failover-cluster-one-san.html). Time has passed and we decided to go with two servers, replication and local storage. I have never done virtualization but I hope I have a good estimation. We are a school of:

 

• 550 pupils
  
• 50 staff
  

 

Computer wise:

 

• 300 devices (desktops, laptops)
  

 

The devices are used all day and so is the data on our current SAN. We are planning to virtualize the following:

 

• Solus SIMS
  
• DNS
  
• DHCP
  
• AD with Group Policy
  
• File Server
  
• Moodle (when finished)
  
• Print Server
  
• Cash office
  
• Exchange (in near future)
  
• Impero Server, ID Manager, Cashless catering and other little services- non critical
  

Below is the server spec:

 Supermicro SuperStorage Server 6027R-E1R12T | SSG-6027R-E1R12T

 2x E5-2630 V2 Intel Six-Core Xeon 2.6GHz 15MB Cache - 80 Watts

 8x 8GB 1600MHz DDR3 ECC Reg w/Parity DIMM Dual Rank

 12x 1TB Enterprise Class SATA 7200RPM - 3.5" - Seagate CONSTELLATION CS

 Intel PRO/1000 Dual Server Adapter RJ45 10/100/1000 Dual Port

 3 Year Standard Warranty

 9-5 Technical Support for System Lifetime

 48 Hour Comprehensive System Testing Procedure

 UK Country Kit & Mains Cable

 

The cost of a single server is

£4,066.88 ^{Ex. VAT}

RRP: £4,880.26

 

I really would appreciate advice on this.

 

Thanks a lot

[teejay]

First thing is to check that all the hardware is actually certified and supported for whatever virtualisation software you're going to use, if it's not you'll not get any support if things go pear shaped.

[blu4]

First thing is to check that all the hardware is actually certified and supported for whatever virtualisation software you're going to use, if it's not you'll not get any support if things go pear shaped.

 

They work closely with VMware so it's safe to assume that it is made for virtualization. They bring it up everywhere. I'll be going with microsoft hyperv.

Edited January 12, 2015 by blu4

[teejay]

It doesn't matter if they work closely with VMWare, if you are using failover clustering then Microsoft will not support it unless all the hardware is certified for it. Please don't make assumptions on this, it will bite you in the backside if you do.

[mrbios]

You can make your server spec cheaper, you'll be highly unlikely to need 2 x hex core CPUs per host. Even for future proofing that seems a bit over the top for what you're putting on them and the size of your network.

 

You'll be able to monitor the performance statistics in quite some detail once you're virtualised but you'll probably be surprised by how little cpu usage everything uses once it's sat there ticking over daily.

[blu4]

It doesn't matter if they work closely with VMWare, if you are using failover clustering then Microsoft will not support it unless all the hardware is certified for it. Please don't make assumptions on this, it will bite you in the backside if you do.

I'll need to call them up then.

 

You can make your server spec cheaper, you'll be highly unlikely to need 2 x hex core CPUs per host. Even for future proofing that seems a bit over the top for what you're putting on them and the size of your network.

 

You'll be able to monitor the performance statistics in quite some detail once you're virtualised but you'll probably be surprised by how little cpu usage everything uses once it's sat there ticking over daily.

 

How about this spec? Am I not adding too much ram? (I have forgotten to add network adapters)

 

 

• Supermicro SuperStorage Server 6027R-E1R12T | SSG-6027R-E1R12T
  
• 2x E5-2609 V2 Intel Quad-Core Xeon 2.5GHz 10MB Cache - 80 Watts
  
• 6x 8GB 1600MHz DDR3 ECC Reg w/Parity DIMM Dual Rank
  
• 3x 300GB SAS-2 6Gb/s 15000RPM - 3.5" - Seagate Cheetah
  
• 6x 2TB SATA 7200RPM - 3.5" - Seagate Barracuda
  
• 3x Intel PRO/1000 Quad Server Adapter RJ45 10/100/1000 Quad Port
  
• 3 Year Standard Warranty
  
• 9-5 Technical Support for System Lifetime
  
• 48 Hour Comprehensive System Testing Procedure
  
• UK Country Kit & Mains Cable
  

[mrbios]

Only thing i'd say on the ram front is, if you're having two hosts, make sure you have enough ram that you can run everything off one host when you need to (updates, incase of hardware failures etc.) I'm guessing going from the 2 x hex to 2 x quads probably chopped about £400 off your quote didn't it?

 

Just realised one thing though, you're being priced on the v2 processors, is the price similar on the v3 servers with ddr4 rather than the v2s and ddr3? If it's not much higher then i'd definitely say go with the v3 and ddr4. That said, Intel don't tend to do the cheaper quad cores on the v3s, so may end up back on hex.

 

Out of curiousity where you making your specs? Is it broadberry.co.uk per chance?

[blu4]

Only thing i'd say on the ram front is, if you're having two hosts, make sure you have enough ram that you can run everything off one host when you need to (updates, incase of hardware failures etc.) I'm guessing going from the 2 x hex to 2 x quads probably chopped about £400 off your quote didn't it?

 

Just realised one thing though, you're being priced on the v2 processors, is the price similar on the v3 servers with ddr4 rather than the v2s and ddr3? If it's not much higher then i'd definitely say go with the v3 and ddr4. That said, Intel don't tend to do the cheaper quad cores on the v3s, so may end up back on hex.

 

Out of curiousity where you making your specs? Is it broadberry.co.uk per chance?

 

Stop reading my mind Yes, it is broadberry. I'll look into the DDR4 route as well but our budget is tight as a drum.. I'd love to go there but the cost... Even if it is a few hundred more.

[VeryPC_Ed]

I'll need to call them up then.

 

 

 

How about this spec? Am I not adding too much ram? (I have forgotten to add network adapters)

 

 

• Supermicro SuperStorage Server 6027R-E1R12T | SSG-6027R-E1R12T
  
• 2x E5-2609 V2 Intel Quad-Core Xeon 2.5GHz 10MB Cache - 80 Watts
  
• 6x 8GB 1600MHz DDR3 ECC Reg w/Parity DIMM Dual Rank
  
• 3x 300GB SAS-2 6Gb/s 15000RPM - 3.5" - Seagate Cheetah
  
• 6x 2TB SATA 7200RPM - 3.5" - Seagate Barracuda
  
• 3x Intel PRO/1000 Quad Server Adapter RJ45 10/100/1000 Quad Port
  
• 3 Year Standard Warranty
  
• 9-5 Technical Support for System Lifetime
  
• 48 Hour Comprehensive System Testing Procedure
  
• UK Country Kit & Mains Cable
  

 

Hi Blu4

 

I personally wouldn't recommend using Barracuda drives as they are consumer drives and not really designed for server usage.

 

If anything use something like Western Digital RE4 or Seagate Constellation as these are designed for critical workloads, yes they cost more but they have the features that make them more reliable.

 

We've been doing Supermicro builds for donkeys years, if you want a comparative quotation on this or to ask anything - drop me a PM.

 

Thanks,

 

Ed