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Server Rig

I

iLLuSioN

Limp Gawd
Joined
Dec 7, 2005
Messages
228
Well I need to build a server for a small company basicly only 5 people connected at 1 time but it needs to run exchange, sql server, and 2 other network apps.

I was looking at dell and the specs i was looking at from them is going to cost $5,500 each! Im getting 2 identical servers cause they need full redundancy so they will be on a heartbeat kinda thing so if 1 goes down the other will take over.

I know its beneficial to buy it from a big company since it is a server but id like to save them the money and just build it myself so it would be much appriciated if anyone could give me some ideas on the best parts to use in your opinion.
Heres what im thinkin:
  • Dual Core AMD Or Intel, not decided
  • 4gb's of Ram
  • 2x 146gb SCSI Raid 1, Maybe an additional drive for network storage
  • Going to need a tape drive for backup also not sure which though yet
  • Windows Server 2003 5cals

Thanks for the help.
 
Bad idea building a business server, seriously. You cant provide the same support an OEM can, plus you open yourself up to legal vulnerabilites unless you have a lawyer write a release for the company to sign that releases you from responsibility if something should happen to the server that causes loss of data or productivity.

Stick with the OEM's in this arena.
 
Don't forget redundant power supply.
Click to expand...

Yea definatly will need that.

Bad idea building a business server, seriously. You cant provide the same support an OEM can, plus you open yourself up to legal vulnerabilites unless you have a lawyer write a release for the company to sign that releases you from responsibility if something should happen to the server that causes loss of data or productivity.
Click to expand...

I have a release ready, I really want to figure out my options here before I go one way or the other. Thanks for the input do you have any good oem systems in mind? incase i dont get the answers im looking for in building it myself.
 
Trust me its MUCH better to go with an OEM. My old company stuck with Dell and the company I work with now is split between Dell for the workstations and Compaq/HP for the servers. They also provide overnight replacement parts, support, and on-site warranty service. Unless YOU can offer that as part of the price, I seriously would stick with an OEM.

If you build a relationship with the OEMs they will definately come down in price. You also never mentioned what these servers will be used for. You may not need two servers unless it is absolutely necessary. You definately don't want to overkill something, especially for a smaller business..

Remember you still can make money consulting them, building and supporting a server is definately not the way to go if this is mission critical for them.
 
prophetx2 said:
You also never mentioned what these servers will be used for. You may not need two servers unless it is absolutely necessary. You definately don't want to overkill something, especially for a smaller business..
Click to expand...

"needs to run exchange, sql server, and 2 other network apps."

The server needs to be running in order for them to conduct business so they would be losing money for every hour the server is down, thats the reason behind having 2 servers.

Thanks for the input, another vote for oem, since your voting oem what do you think about the specs? would you recomend dell? or hp?
 
Yeah for such a small office, 2 servers though overkill is ideal.

Something small however is all that is necessary.

Technically 2 Dell 5150's with some good hardware are sufficient, however if you are going the server route I would suggest:

Either 2 Poweredge 1800 or 2 Poweredge 1420 (strictly for redundancy, though not completely necessary if they can deal with downtime).
Minimum 2 Gigs Ram
Minimum 200 Gig HD Space (Raid 0 or Raid 5)
Full Dell 4 year warranty for 24 Hour part replacement.

The Warranty alone will be worth it if you use it even 1 time.
 
Yea it seems like overkill but they lose money with downtime so its worth it to them to have 2 servers for complete redundancy. As I configure it these things are gunnu come out to around 6k each just doesnt seem worth that much money to me although im used to just buying the parts and building things myself.
 
hrmmm sounds like they are a hosting company?

Anyhow, like all have suggested, building and supporting a server really isn't the way to go. Go the Dell route and use the time you'll be putting into building the server by consulting the company. You'd probably get more money that way anyway.
 
Since theres only about 5 users or so you think i could get away with going SATA? i was just thinking that SCSI would pretty much be overkill since there arent that many users accessing the database or the other stuff at a single time.
 
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