Server Recommendation Please

[altecsole]

The person who would normally do this is off at the moment and I’ve been asked to look at a specification for a new server for our network. It will run 2000 (possibly 2003) server and be mainly used for file sharing – both user data and other regularly accessed files.

 

The budget I have been given to work towards is £1500. I’m thinking serial ATA on a Raid 5 array with a GB NIC. However, I’m not sure what processor or memory to recommend. All suggestions gratefully received.

[Geoff]

Processor isn't vastly important. I'd probably just get a low end Opteron.

 

Lots of memory will help speed up the filesharing, especially if your using the same files all the time. This is because the OS (certianly Linux, I presume Windows gets up to the same tricks) keeps recently and frequently used files in memory so can avoid going back to the (compartively) slow disks for them if it can help it. To that end, I'd say a minimum of a gig, but two would be better.

 

If your just doing straight filesharing you might want to consider some of the SAN and NAS solutions avalible on the market too.

[Dos_Box]

Dell will do you a good deal with educational discount, and with good support afterwards.

[russdev]

if can get 2003 go for it as free 2000 support end this year?

 

russ

[Diello]

Dell Poweredge with 2k3 Don't bother paying out for SATA, from what I've seen it only really makes a different in A/V editing, stick with SCSI-RAID5. Go for more memory over a faster processor for the reasons already given.

[altecsole]

Don't bother paying out for SATA, from what I've seen it only really makes a different in A/V editing, stick with SCSI-RAID5.

Isn't SATA cheaper than SCSI?

[Diello]

Don't bother paying out for SATA, from what I've seen it only really makes a different in A/V editing, stick with SCSI-RAID5.

Isn't SATA cheaper than SCSI?

 

Yes... of course it is... *bangs head against wall*

 

...let's try that again...

 

Stick with IDE-RAID5.

 

Better.

 

* waits to be lynched :oops: *

[Dos_Box]

if can get 2003 go for it as free 2000 support end this year?

 

russ

 

In about 8 days actually.

[ChrisH]

have been looking at some Dell NAS powervault boxes for cheap dedicated file serving. They are SATA based and go upto a a 250 gig X 4 configuration.

[tarquel]

@altecsole:

 

Licensing:

 

You haven't mentioned whether the 1.5k includes licensing too.

 

Remember that if you get a 2003 server OS, you need to get 2003 device/user cals for every machine/user that will connect to that server, including the other servers Having 2000 cal's is not enough I'm afraid but I believe you can buy "upgrade" cals that may be cheaper for you

 

I personally get 2003 device cals for every desktop as it allows you to connect to any number of MS Server OS server's - whether they are 2003 or 2000 (not sure it covers nt - would have to look into that)

 

The person who would normally do this is off at the moment and I’ve been asked to look at a specification for a new server for our network.

 

Let me know if you dont understand cal's and I shall explain further

 

Regarding the equipment:

 

I got a HP Proliant ML350 G3 (cant get them now - G4 revision now) for my DC but it all depends what you are going to be serving and how many I would say.

 

What I'm getting in for my Exchange Server might be ideal for you - here's some links:

 

Server - http://uk.insight.com/apps/productpresentation/index.php?product_id=HPIA041B7

SATA HDD - http://uk.insight.com/apps/productpresentation/index.php?alert=categoryresults&product_id=HPGA03UR8

Additional RAM - http://uk.insight.com/apps/productpresentation/index.php?alert=categoryresults&product_id=HPEA03WMB

SATA RAID Card - http://uk.insight.com/apps/productpresentation/index.php?alert=categoryresults&product_id=ADGA04ALD

 

You'll probably...definately I mean... want a UPS attached to it and I stick with APC ones as so far, none of the ones I've bought have died yet lol

 

Same goes with all the HP gear (minus a tape drive that worked for 3 years perfectly) - all the SCSI HD's I have (in the server's I've had previously & hardware still work!

 

Can't say if thats the same for every brand, but its why I stick with HP.

 

Again, let me know if you want more info

 

Regards,

N

[Ric_]

If it's dedicated file storage that you need, go for one of the Storage Server-based boxes that someone like DELL does. These are tweaked for the task and can be set up in minutes.

 

Remember though, if you just need to increase the storage space for your existing servers a SAN may be better - this will alllow block-level access which means you can pop your databases on there, along with Exchange, etc. plus share out files.

[altecsole]

Let me know if you dont understand cal's and I shall explain further

 

We've got a MS Schools Agreement which, I'm reliably informed, allows us to use 2003.

[tarquel]

[take a look at my edited post above btw - you guys were too quick to respond lol]

 

Ahh i see - there's onyl one school in powys that has that and hasn't been very forward with the info so cant say for sure the licensing etc, but MS dont allow you to use the full version of OS with vol agreements anymore.

 

I dont know if the same can be said for Server machines and MS Schools Agreement may be different but I better mention it anyhow.

 

Its a stupid change in MS ruling, but isn't it always lol

 

Check with MS about that to be sure tho - you must have a number you can ring. I havent got the Education phone number to hand or i'd post it.

 

Regards,

N.

[MkII]

Insight are falling over themselves to give education customers a good price. As Nathan has pointed out - there are some HP options to consider.

 

Not a big fan of Dell since my stack of 4 have had most of the hard drives replaced - about 12 - in the last 4 years. I trying HP for a bit better reliability.

[ConTheITGuy]

Yeah - got about 25% off some IBM gear not so long back from Insight.

 

(Just trying the same for some Cisco Wireless now!)

 

Andy.

[altecsole]

Thanks for the input everyone. Some of the Dell machines mention Windows Storage Server 2003 Express - I'm aware of Storage Server 2003, but not the Express edition. Anyone know what this is?

 

Also, one possibility I discussed with a colleague would be to run a box with Storage Server 2003 with a Raid 1 array. We could then move all our critical user data to this server. I'd like to try and simplify the setup that we have at the moment. As with most things IT, the servers have grown as the school network has grown. We have 4 DCs, all with SCSI but none with any kind of RAID. User data is spread across a couple of them, with Exchange on another and ISA on another. To me (who only started here a few weeks ago) it's a potential problems that needs addressing. We are committed to buying a new server; does my suggestion sound reasonable? Any advice gratefully received - my last school was a single server NT 4 domain where backup fitted on a single tape cassette!

[ChrisH]

I think the main difference between the Storage server version is the Express version does not support external drives.

[john]

I use HP Proliants - DL380 and ML370's. Just got 4 G4 DL380's, seem nice, just need eardefenders to be in the same room as them

[nuttygeek]

Hi like john we use HP Proliants -ML350 G3 (have three of them) and (one of them) G4 which are great and are noisy but do the job perfectly would definatly recommend them. they are great because you can have the basic model for upgrade it to what spec you need, you can also have hardware raid controller in it if you want for software raid through windows personally recommend hardware raid

 

Nutt

[kingswood]

Historically our school has bought built to order CSE servers- until I started working there. We have since shifted to Dell PowerEdge servers and never had a problem at all.

 

As others have mentioned, HP are a good make too- what you should normally think of is support structure (that's why we don't buy off CSE anymore ;-)

 

Paul

[Ric_]

I have 10 Sun servers (lovely) and an EMC SAN All were good value and seem to be doing the trick.

[john]

Support is a big thing, and touch wood the servers from HP never fail, but HP support are the pitts! I thought Dell was terrible, but trust me HP are the worst ever! My advice is never puchase an upgraded care pack from the standard 1-3 days as HP never meet the 24 hr turn around or the better levels.

[SpuffMonkey]

Remember though, if you just need to increase the storage space for your existing servers a SAN may be better - this will alllow block-level access which means you can pop your databases on there, along with Exchange, etc. plus share out files.

 

Hi - I'm just being gifted a SAN box (IBM DS400) (lucky me ) - any advice on the best sort of setup for it - it'll be carrying dbs, Exchange and everyone files - cheers

[tarquel]

good to see fellow Proliant ML350 users

 

Going (i think) for a HP Proliant ML150 G2:

 

http://uk.insight.com/apps/productpresentation/index.php?alert=categoryresults&product_id=HPIA041B7

(cant remember the exact one as there are a few listed but the model is the same)

 

with 1GB RAM, 2 x 80GB SATA, Adaptec RAID SATA-2 controller, and some other bits and bobs i forget too, for our Exchange 2k3 email box (should be just the ticket as theres only 300 pupils & 50 staff so this should be ideal (i hope/pray).

 

Looking forward to access work email from home (yes, I'm sad like that lol)

 

Regards

Nath

[Ric_]

@Targuel: Fell out with Insight since they didn't deliver when they promised (in fact I cancelled the order and reordered from elsewhere who delivered it the next day) - hence Insight lost a £4500 order. Messed me about for 3 weeks!!! :angry:

 

@SpuffMonkey: Good to see that others have seen the light and are buying SANs rather than nasty overpriced NAS-boxes