File/web server build recommendations

[misterpat]

Hey all!
My uncle was interested in getting a file/web server like I have so I built him one from spare parts I had laying around the house. He is enjoying it but since its built on older parts its not the most reliable thing around.

Since he helped me out plenty of times in the past, I decided to build him a system with quality server grade hardware.

I poked around newegg and got a list of pieces to get me started. I was curious to what any of You think on better parts and most importantly, shave some of the $$ off the build.

For a motherboard, I was thinking of this one as I had good luck with Atom processors and its got IPMI built in.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813182234

For a case and hard drive cages, i found these two. If anyone knows of a case with external hot swap hard drive cases cheaper than these two, I'm all ears.

Case

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811192056

Hard drive cages x2 (8 drives)

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817993016

And for a HBA adapter, I was thinking this, although some of the reviews arent too good. Anyone have any thoughts on this card?

SUPERMICRO AOC-SASLP-MV8 PCI Express x4 Low Profile SAS RAID Controller


http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16816101358

Other than that I would just need sas to sata cables and an OS drive.

OS is going to be Debian with MDADM running the raid.

Thanks for any input on this.

BTW total for the parts listed is $643.95, So I'm looking to get that down some.

 

[kac77]

I poked around newegg and got a list of pieces to get me started. I was curious to what any of You think on better parts and most importantly, shave some of the $$ off the build.

For a motherboard, I was thinking of this one as I had good luck with Atom processors and its got IPMI built in.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813182234

At no time should one spend $219 for a single socket Atom system. You could easily get a motherboard from SuperMicro that's in the 150 range (with IPMI). You could pair it up with any processor and downclock it to get perf/w savings. Intel and AMD both have models that are low watt and more powerful than that system.

Actually unless you need TONS of storage a HP Microserver could possibly fit the bill.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16859107052

For a case and hard drive cages, i found these two. If anyone knows of a case with external hot swap hard drive cases cheaper than these two, I'm all ears.

Case

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811192056

Hard drive cages x2 (8 drives)

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817993016

Get a separate Case and PSU. $143 for just an OK case with a crappy PSU isn't worth it. You can do better if you buy these separate.

You're not really saving anything on those cages. I would go with Supermicro, Norco, or Intel... like this one. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817995045

And for a HBA adapter, I was thinking this, although some of the reviews arent too good. Anyone have any thoughts on this card?

SUPERMICRO AOC-SASLP-MV8 PCI Express x4 Low Profile SAS RAID Controller

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16816101358

I would just shop LSI so you know what you are getting.

 

[Drawmonster]

I'll relay some wisdom I got when I was shopping pertaining to a case. For the case you want and the cages you are looking at $342.70 with shipping. And that has a max of 8 drives.

For about $100 more you can get 3 x the storage with this case. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811219038

So to me it makes more sense to go for the better value. You might also check my sig for recommendations on server hardware. The board I have is awesome and I believe it's cheaper than what you are wanting.

 

[misterpat]

At no time should one spend $219 for a single socket Atom system. You could easily get a motherboard from SuperMicro that's in the 150 range (with IPMI). You could pair it up with any processor and downclock it to get perf/w savings. Intel and AMD both have models that are low watt and more powerful than that system.

Actually unless you need TONS of storage a HP Microserver could possibly fit the bill.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16859107052


Get a separate Case and PSU. $143 for just an OK case with a crappy PSU isn't worth it. You can do better if you buy these separate.

You're not really saving anything on those cages. I would go with Supermicro, Norco, or Intel... like this one. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817995045




I would just shop LSI so you know what you are getting.

I picked the Atom becuase of the cpu and MOBO in one unit. A supermicro board and a Zeon processor will run about 400$

The mobo I got in my server, a Supermicro MBD-X8SIE-F-O was 200 and the processor was another 200 on top of that.


I planned on ripping out that power supply anyhow. I was mainly looking at the case. What I'm looking for when its said and done is this.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811152117

Just a little easier on the wallet.

What I'm looking for is a Pedestal case with 6-8 hot-swap bays in the front. Any ideas?

 

[misterpat]

I'll relay some wisdom I got when I was shopping pertaining to a case. For the case you want and the cages you are looking at $342.70 with shipping. And that has a max of 8 drives.

For about $100 more you can get 3 x the storage with this case. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811219038

So to me it makes more sense to go for the better value. You might also check my sig for recommendations on server hardware. The board I have is awesome and I believe it's cheaper than what you are wanting.

I agree with You 100%. When I built my home server, its almost the same as Your setup.

http://hardforum.com/showthread.php?t=1661340

But my uncle doesn't and isn't interested in any kind of rack setup. Just a normal, mid tower server we can hide in a closet.

 

[kac77]

I picked the Atom becuase of the cpu and MOBO in one unit. A supermicro board and a Zeon processor will run about 400$

The mobo I got in my server, a Supermicro MBD-X8SIE-F-O was 200 and the processor was another 200 on top of that.

Pentium G530: 49.99
SuperMicro X9SCL-F: 179.00
Total: $228

Your Atom Combo: $219

You can pick what you want but was just sayin.

I planned on ripping out that power supply anyhow. I was mainly looking at the case. What I'm looking for when its said and done is this.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811152117

Just a little easier on the wallet.

What I'm looking for is a Pedestal case with 6-8 hot-swap bays in the front. Any ideas?

Just get the case and PSU separate so that you know what you are getting PSU wise. That's one of the most important parts. All you need the case to have is 6 external 5.25 to fit your two drive cages.

So pair something like this
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811103040
$69

With something like this..
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371035
Antec EarthWatts 500
59.00
Total: $128

That combo is actually cheaper as the case is cheaper than yours. There's a better PSU and better CPU....and you still have your IPMI.

 

[misterpat]

Ok, I followed most of everyone's recommendations.

kac77, Thanks for the pointers on the Mobo and Cpu. I ditched the Atom idea and went for Your suggestion.

I started ordering things today and here is where we are at for now.

1. Case

Black Dynapower 1.0 mm SECC Pedestal Computer Server Case, 8 x 5.25in Bays, Model: EJ-SR08-B

http://www.dynapowerusa.com/dyna/asp/CP_b_EJ-SR08-B.asp

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811138098

2. Motherboard

SUPERMICRO MBD-X9SCL+-F

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813182262

3. CPU

Intel Celeron G530 Sandy Bridge 2.4GHz LGA 1155 65W Dual-Core Desktop Processor

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116409

4. HBA card

IBM M1015

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=110897383064

5. Drive cages

SNT SNT-SAC3141B 4x3.5" Hard drive in 3x5.25" Bay Hot Swap SAS/SATA Backplane RAID cage

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817993016

6. SAS breakout cables

3ware CBL-SFF8087OCF-06M 1 Unit of 0.6M Multi-lane Internal (SFF-8087) Serial ATA Breakout Cable

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16816116098

I didnt get any ram, power supply or an OS HDD yet as I can get them plus any small stuff I need from a MicroCenter by my work.