Ste_Harve Posted January 18, 2007 Posted January 18, 2007 Hi all, I'm trying to find a guide I read a bit ago about minium specs for PCs and servers. This was a becta doc I think. I'm looking for a newer version of this or if someone could jot down some minium specs that would be great. I've specced some machines up and the head can't understand why so i'd like to back it up. Thanks
Grommit Posted January 18, 2007 Posted January 18, 2007 Well the BSF say the a Core Duo is the basic Workstation for Admin and a Super Core Duo for Students In real life a Celeron is ample for Admin and a P4 is OK for Students P4's are now being sold for under £240
ChrisC Posted January 18, 2007 Posted January 18, 2007 What sort of network, linux, windows, mac? Could you give a brief description of your network? Chris
Ste_Harve Posted January 18, 2007 Author Posted January 18, 2007 Network is a Windows 2003 AD. We have about 250-300 clients and about 600-650 users. 1gb fibre to each building with a 1gb backbone switch. 100mbp/s switched to clients. 100 clients in ICT that are used at the same time. 25 in CDT, 25ish whiteboards all used at same time. 30 in resource area which are used about 50/50 in one go. Would it be an idea for me to post the spec of machines i've specced and you can tell me what you think as well as what you would recommend?
Geoff Posted January 18, 2007 Posted January 18, 2007 It also depends on what software is being run on the machines. For example, a basic machine will be quite happy running office where as a beefier machine is required for doing multimedia stuff like photoshop or premier.
Ste_Harve Posted January 18, 2007 Author Posted January 18, 2007 This is the workstation specs. These will be used in ICT and to do a bit of video editing with. Intel Core2Duo E6300 1GB DDR2 RAM 160Gb SATA HDD Radeon 256Mb X1300 PCI-E Graphics Gigabyte 81945GZME-RH 17" Hard Glass TFT MATX Case Server Specs I've specced two of these and two of the other ones further down. 2x Intel Xeon 3.0Ghz Dual Core CPU 4Gb RAM 5x 147Gb 15k HDD's in RAID 5 Intel S5000PSLSATA Mainboard Intel SC5400BRP Chassis Megaraid SAS 8408E AXX6DRV3G 6 Drive SAS/SATA bay Hot Swap Intel SC5400 Server Chassis Rack Conversion Kit Dual Intel Pro1000 Nics onboard Other one 2x Intel Xeon 3.0Ghz Dual Core CPU 4Gb RAM 5x 73Gb 15k HDD's in RAID 5 Intel S5000PSLSATA Mainboard Intel SC5400BRP Chassis Megaraid SAS 8408E AXX6DRV3G 6 Drive SAS/SATA bay Hot Swap Intel SC5400 Server Chassis Rack Conversion Kit Dual Intel Pro1000 Nics onboard Big servers will be used for file, print DC, DNS, DHCP. Other servers will be used for ISA, Echange, DC, DNS, DHCP, Common file area and admin tools (Ghost and RIS) Any ideas and other tips. Will the above servers cope? Would someone be able to give a better run down of what to run on each server services wise? The head wants a justification as to why we need 4 new servers. Exisiting servers we have are 7. 2 of which are 3 year old and out of warranty. The remaining 5 are about 6-7 year old and really slow. Best specced one of the old ones is a PIII933 with 512Mb ram! Any help for justification is most appreciated.
ChrisC Posted January 18, 2007 Posted January 18, 2007 Those a pretty beefy machine specs for school use, looks more like a gaming rig. What sort of price is that coming out at, and how many machines are you planning on buying/replacing? Chris
Ste_Harve Posted January 18, 2007 Author Posted January 18, 2007 The machines are coming in at about £460 each plus a copy of XP on top. Were looking at replacing about 100. The 100 old ones will be used to replace the 7 year old compaqs round school that like to breakdown daily. The servers are 4700 for the first ones each and 3400 for the lower specced ones. Any ideas on bits to change to make them more school friendly. The problem we're going to have is there's going to be a good deal of graphics and video editing run on them in 2 years time so would like something half decent for that.
Grommit Posted January 18, 2007 Posted January 18, 2007 This is the workstation specs. These will be used in ICT and to do a bit of video editing with. Intel Core2Duo E6300 1GB DDR2 RAM 160Gb SATA HDD Radeon 256Mb X1300 PCI-E Graphics Gigabyte 81945GZME-RH 17" Hard Glass TFT MATX Case Server Specs I've specced two of these and two of the other ones further down. 2x Intel Xeon 3.0Ghz Dual Core CPU 4Gb RAM 5x 147Gb 15k HDD's in RAID 5 Intel S5000PSLSATA Mainboard Intel SC5400BRP Chassis Megaraid SAS 8408E AXX6DRV3G 6 Drive SAS/SATA bay Hot Swap Intel SC5400 Server Chassis Rack Conversion Kit Dual Intel Pro1000 Nics onboard Other one 2x Intel Xeon 3.0Ghz Dual Core CPU 4Gb RAM 5x 73Gb 15k HDD's in RAID 5 Intel S5000PSLSATA Mainboard Intel SC5400BRP Chassis Megaraid SAS 8408E AXX6DRV3G 6 Drive SAS/SATA bay Hot Swap Intel SC5400 Server Chassis Rack Conversion Kit Dual Intel Pro1000 Nics onboard . WOW... this is very good stuff... I wish I could afford this
ChrisC Posted January 18, 2007 Posted January 18, 2007 460 including a monitor? I mean, they're good if you're wanting to do a bit of future-proofing for vista etc, if the school can afford it, then they're fine. Chris
Ste_Harve Posted January 18, 2007 Author Posted January 18, 2007 Yes thatis including the monitor. This will be the only time we'll be able to upgrade for at least 3 years, so just wanting to make sure I get it right.
PeterW Posted January 18, 2007 Posted January 18, 2007 As said already those seem more like desirable specs than minimum, When you say they will be used for a bit of video editing it may benefit to mix the spces (say have a room with the higher spec machines) for this task as you have speced. Then for the rest of the machines I would say a P4 3.0 - 3.2 would be fine with say 80GB HDDs and integrated graphics. What video editing app you using? you migth want to check that it will actually benefit from the deicated graphics as apposed to the GMA 950 onboard. On the servers I would get the Xeon 5100 as apposed to the old 5000 series think the 5110 1.6Ghz is the one your after.
pete Posted January 18, 2007 Posted January 18, 2007 Depending on what the server is doing, you may want to have mirrored system disks and a separate RAID5 for data. I'm guessing you already have or are speccing the backup requirements for the new servers? For justifications, have a look for the "how many servers" type threads on edugeek - plenty of real-world school examples to show your smt.
Ric_ Posted January 18, 2007 Posted January 18, 2007 Another option for your storage is to implement a SAN and then you will only require disk space for the OS, etc. in each server. A SAN will also provide expansion poitential. You also fail to mention what sort of warranty you will be receiving... if the machines are to last three years, a three year on site warranty would be handy.
Ste_Harve Posted January 18, 2007 Author Posted January 18, 2007 both the servers and workstations are on a 3yr on site warranty. SAN? How would one of these connect into the network? Have you any links to details of them?
Ric_ Posted January 18, 2007 Posted January 18, 2007 @Ste_Harve: The SAN is a box of disks that connects (via fibre) to a SAN switch. All the servers that wish to access the SAN have a HBA fitted which is a fancy fibre NIC. The servers all plug into SAN switch too and you create virtual disks on the SAN to share out. If you want to have a look at SAN in action, pop along (I'm in Poulton - PM for phone number).
Elky Posted January 19, 2007 Posted January 19, 2007 Hi Ste_Harve Please check your private messages. We can save you a lot of money of both the PCs and servers that you have listed there or we can offer suitable alternatives. Alternatively, email me on [email protected] for more details. Many thanks
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