New Server Hardware - Help

[SteveB_NI]

Hi all,

 

I have the opportunity to hopefully order a new replacement server (for one of my DCs at least) & whilst I've experience purchasing desktops in the past this will be my first server so hoping for some advice please!!

 

Current servers (2 DCs)

DC1

Spec: Intel Xeon CPU E5640 @ 2.67GHz, 4GB RAM, Running Server 2008R2 64bit

Roles assigned: Active Dir, DHCP, DNS, File Services

 

 

DC2

Spec: Intel Xeon CPU E5430 @ 2.66GHz, 4GB RAM, Running Server 2008R2 64bit

Roles assigned: Active Dir, DHCP, DNS, File Services, Web Server, WDS, WSUS

 

Number of users: Approx 900

Number of workstations / laptops etc: Approx 240 (Curriculum classroom machines separate network so these are spread across non-teacher use ICT suites / study halls etc)

 

 

I'm hoping to replace at least 1 DC with a new Server - and possibly virtualise both DCs onto 1 server? If not - at least I'll have experience setting up a new server for moving onto the 2nd DC in the future.

 

 

I have been looking at basic servers, and have the following 2 ideas:

 

1. HPE ProLiant ML10 Gen9 Intel Xeon E3-1225v5 8GB 2TB - £438.70 Ex Vat (approx) - comes with 2 HDDs - I would then add another 2 1TBs and set up a RAID system & possibly add more RAM

 

2. Dell PowerEdge T130 - Xeon E3-1220V5 3 GHz - 4 GB - 1 TB - £488.91 Ex Vat (approx) - comes only with 1 HDD and not sure if you can have Raid on this.

 

Much as I'd love a higher powered refurbished server unfortunately due to the purchasing system we have to buy new, but is there any other recommendations similar to the above 2 worth looking at?

 

Thanks!

[yac2016]

If you are virtualising onto one host, I would add some redundancy into the hardware at least:

 

2 processors, redundant PSU, at least 32gb RAM, RAID card is essential.

 

Depends on your budget, I like Dells at the moment, but not the option you have chosen.

[3s-gtech]

Don't virtualise both DCs onto one server. You should be able to keep one of these older machines going, even if its only role is DC/DNS/DHCP redundancy. DC1 shouldn't struggle with Server 2012 R2 or even 2016, but my experience with E54** generation Xeons hasn't shown many to work well with anything later than 2008 R2. That may have just been RAID drivers. YMMV.

[yac2016]

Don't virtualise both DCs onto one server. You should be able to keep one of these older machines going, even if its only role is DC/DNS/DHCP redundancy. DC1 shouldn't struggle with Server 2012 R2 or even 2016, but my experience with E54** generation Xeons hasn't shown many to work well with anything later than 2008 R2. That may have just been RAID drivers. YMMV.

 

I agree, with the existing hardware, worth utilising one as an extra DC.

[synaesthesia]

Those E3 processors are the celeron level chips - I'd strongly recommend paying a bit more as you'd definitely be downgrading. Especially important if virtualising.

[SteveB_NI]

Thanks all for your replies - was trying to keep costs down as it's my first server replacement so hoping to teach myself virtualisation if possible, but also have it as a natural progression to the 2 servers currently in use.

 

Budget at present would be less than £1000 - taking into account your replies, what about a higher processor spec HPE model: HPE ProLiant ML150 Gen9 - Xeon E5-2603V4 1.7 GHz - 8 GB - 500 GB.

 

I am proposing in the near future a higher spec replacement programme but as these servers have been in situ since 2009 I thought I better get another one & get up to speed with it just incase!

[NB9457]

If budget is tight, you could always consider refurbished

[3s-gtech]

^^

Much as I'd love a higher powered refurbished server unfortunately due to the purchasing system we have to buy new

 

Make sure that your reseller gives you a good price on speccing the RAM up - this can be an unfortunate oversight when your server is £1000 but to give it enough RAM to be any use for virtualisation costs an extra £600.

[zag]

Those E3 processors are the celeron level chips - I'd strongly recommend paying a bit more as you'd definitely be downgrading. Especially important if virtualising.

 

Dc's need minimal CPU though if they are dedicated. Memory is far more important I think.

 

Obviously you want both DC's on separate hardware for redundancy.

[synaesthesia]

Indeed, but they are not just DCs.

[mrbios]

Considering you're on such a tight budget look at a SuperMicro based build rather than HP and Dell. Try broadberry.co.uk for example, and make sure you get a quote, don't go by web prices. You'll save shed loads over the big brands, and to be hones they really don't offer anything for our sizes worthwhile over the a supermicro option.

 

Look at an E5 based build, virtualise DC2 and split the file services, wds/wsus and web server into their own VMs.

 

EDIT: Just as a comparison, made the same server on HPs configuration or broadberry's. Both with 128GB ram, 2 x E5-2620 cpu, dual PSU, 10GB networking. HP came in at £4600 and broadberry at £3200. And to think that's with any service/warranty removed on the HP part, and that doesn't include HPs extorionate HDD/SSD prices....of which you'd be stuck with, because you have to purchase their stupid drive caddies for them to work. (that's the main bit that drove me away from these big player server manufacturers)

 

Obviously massively in excess of the spec you're looking at, but wanted to give you a clear example of why it's not worth buying HP/Dell. Lastly if you're concerned about support...just buy the on site/extended warranty! It's still cheaper than HP!

Edited January 31, 2017 by mrbios