So many questions... Server.

[newbuilder14]

This time I want to do the server the right way. Server quality components. I have many questions:

-I want to use an SCSI drive. Which one should I use and which adapters/accessories will I need?

-I want to use one AMD Opteron processor and put it in a dual socket motherboard. Any suggestions as to parts and is this possible?

-I will be using a 2u rackmount server. Can stock HSF units fit or what other method do I need to cool it?

Thanks so much for your input.

[Cricket]

Originally Posted by newbuilder14 This time I want to do the server the right way. Server quality components. I have many questions: -I want to use an SCSI drive. Which one should I use and which adapters/accessories will I need?

Most SCSI hard drives are pretty bullet-proof and reliable, I think any brand would be fine. I used to hear good things about Seagate and Fuji SCSI HDDs but haven't been following the SCSI market much recently.

As far as adapters go, depends on the type of SCSI you're going with. It'll more than likely be Ultra320 but they come in 68 and 80 pin varieties so keep that in mind. If the motherboard has on-board SCSI controllers (and I think all server grade motherboards do) then just see which pin layout it uses.

If you're going with 15,000 RPM SCSI HDDs you'll want a active HDD cooling solution.

SCSI/RAID Frequently Asked Questions

Originally Posted by newbuilder14 -I want to use one AMD Opteron processor and put it in a dual socket motherboard. Any suggestions as to parts and is this possible?

You have to use matched CPUs for SMP but I believe you can use just one CPU for now and add another later. The motherboard may come with a "dummy" CPU you install in the empty socket.

Symmetric Multiprocessing Frequently Asked Questions

Originally Posted by newbuilder14 -I will be using a 2U rackmount server. Can stock HSF units fit or what other method do I need to cool it?

2U rackmount server? I don't think the standard AMD Opteron HSF will fit. You need a HSF made for the 2U case (will probably be a passive solution).

For more information try checking out 2CPU.com.

Cricket

[newbuilder14]

I'm ready to order server parts and put it all together as soon as I get advice from you all.

This server will mostly be used to run applications. All applications will be Web-Based applications which will have there own servers running them.

This server will have very, very heavy intensive apps. runing on it, and more will be added.

People will have dedicated ports on this server where they can run and test the applications from their own computers.

So I guess you got the idea this thing needs to be very powerful.

This needs to be put in a 2U rackmount cases so if I choose AMD Opterons how could I cool those? I know Intel Xeons come stock with passive cooling.

As for the motherboard, integrated SCSI would be best. We need ultra fast 15k SCSI hard drives. We may or may not choose to use a RAID. This motherboard should have 2 processor sockets.

For the memory, I am considering just starting out with about 4gb.

Would dual Opterons or Xeons be better?

I do not have an exact budget for this server, we need what we need, you know? But let's just say keep it under five grand probably.

If anyone could offer some advice I would greatly appreciate it.


EDIT: Can anyone recommend a SCSI controller card? I have no clue what to get. Few reviews on Newegg.

[newbuilder14]

EDIT: I am actually going to choose the Opteron route in a 4u case server. Nevermind.

[clroberts]

SCSI Controller Card? If you don't go Raid, then consider the Adaptec 29320 card. Adaptec has long been a good quality SCSI controller card producer. I have used Adaptec in my system for about 7 years now and it has been quite reliable. (You might check on how much an 8 processor board is since that's the max number of processors AMD can place on a single motherboard) Intel can have up to 4.)

[faulkner132]

Originally Posted by newbuilder14 As for the motherboard, integrated SCSI would be best. We need ultra fast 15k SCSI hard drives. We may or may not choose to use a RAID. This motherboard should have 2 processor sockets.

As hardcore as you are about this server, why are you going to skip out on a Raid configuration? If it is as critical as you make it out to be, you should not be relying on file copy/imaging backups because when a drive fails, there will be downtime. With a properly configured Raid setup (Raid 5 would probably be best for you), there is no downtime.

Originally Posted by newbuilder14 Would dual Opterons or Xeons be better?

Personally, I would go with Xeons.

Originally Posted by newbuilder14 I do not have an exact budget for this server, we need what we need, you know? But let's just say keep it under five grand probably.

I would take a look at Dell PowerEdge Servers (2xxx series for 2U's). They are a bit on the pricey side, but I'll stand behind their reliability. Additionally they come standard with just about everything you will need for a redundant system:
- Hot swap fail-over power supplies
- SCSI Controllers
- Top notch hardware monitoring software
- Raid controller will cost extra though
Dell's enterprise support is outstanding as well. I would opt for the 3-year warranty because if anything does go wrong it pays for itself (not to mention, you have the new part the next day).

[newbuilder14]

Thank you, I'll look into Dell. The person likes the idea of the Opterons on an Asus K8N-DL motherboard, though.

[glc]

I priced out a Poweredge Xeon for a customer with SATA RAID 5 and a tape backup and it came in right at 4 grand (this is with Server 2K3 and 25 CAL's too) - so you could probably get a dualie for under 5 grand. SCSI may send it over that mark though. No matter what you use, you aren't going to build one for the same price.

[newbuilder14]

I went ahead and ordered these:

Same Codegen 4U case
Antec NeoHE 500w
Dual Opteron 265
Asus K8N-DL
Corsair 2x1gb ECC DDR400
WD Raptor 10k 74gb
Liteon DVD drive

Ordered from Newegg and Zipzoomfly - I will let you know how things go.