Edvard_Grieg
Limp Gawd
- Joined
- Nov 9, 2002
- Messages
- 217
Hi all,
I'm embarking down the road of media serving/distribution and ESXi. My basic vision is to build a private cloud at home for access to all my media/docs etc. I'm currently using an old dell 755 as an unraid server with plex, sabnzbd etc set up. With more apps that I'm adding I've been running into memory limitations and just some general concerns with transcoding HD content to my plex clients.
I'd like to set up ESXi with Unraid running as a guest, and separate VMs for Plex/SAB etc. I'd also like to improve reliability and uptime as my intent is to leave this on 24x7. For that reason I've been looking at server hardware and most likely OEM ( I've had my fun building computers, now I'd rather let the hardware run and focus on the software). I'm trying to stay <$500 and have largely been looking at refurbished on eBay/CL. I've gravitated to the Dell 2900 and what appears to be the workstation equivalent of the T7400.
What are the thoughts between the two? Is the 2900 overkill? What should I be expecting for energy usage/noise/heat etc ( this will get tucked in a spare bedroom/closet so noise is not a huge concern, but at least some concern)
I've also looked at some of the 'Rackable' servers, but I've been a little wary of either/both the overall speed of the opterons relative to the xeons as well as full ESXi compatibility. (vt-d)
From what I've read, it seems like I would most likely need vt-d support by the hardware to make everything function smoothly and easily- is this correct?
Thanks!
I'm embarking down the road of media serving/distribution and ESXi. My basic vision is to build a private cloud at home for access to all my media/docs etc. I'm currently using an old dell 755 as an unraid server with plex, sabnzbd etc set up. With more apps that I'm adding I've been running into memory limitations and just some general concerns with transcoding HD content to my plex clients.
I'd like to set up ESXi with Unraid running as a guest, and separate VMs for Plex/SAB etc. I'd also like to improve reliability and uptime as my intent is to leave this on 24x7. For that reason I've been looking at server hardware and most likely OEM ( I've had my fun building computers, now I'd rather let the hardware run and focus on the software). I'm trying to stay <$500 and have largely been looking at refurbished on eBay/CL. I've gravitated to the Dell 2900 and what appears to be the workstation equivalent of the T7400.
What are the thoughts between the two? Is the 2900 overkill? What should I be expecting for energy usage/noise/heat etc ( this will get tucked in a spare bedroom/closet so noise is not a huge concern, but at least some concern)
I've also looked at some of the 'Rackable' servers, but I've been a little wary of either/both the overall speed of the opterons relative to the xeons as well as full ESXi compatibility. (vt-d)
From what I've read, it seems like I would most likely need vt-d support by the hardware to make everything function smoothly and easily- is this correct?
Thanks!