Dear All,
We want to co-host two dedicated servers in a Data Centre. One server would be Windows 2000 advanced server with IIS 5.0 & the second one will be loaded with Win2000 & SQL2000. We are looking at about 1000 concurrent hits to the webserver. Out of thi 80% will need database interaction.
We need suggestions on server sizing.

Regds

(Avinash)

1 GB Ram
As much hard disk space as you think you will need
make them SCSI disks with redundancy
daily backup
Dual processor 800mhz +
2 100mbit network cards

i think thats about it !!, lol

Dual P3 800 +
1 GIG of RAM
SCSI drives in raid 5 config.
dual 10/100 nics (3Com 3c905 are great with linux)

Maybe the more technically minded can give you more detailed specs.

Well with a server there are a few specs you should decide on. The main ones being rather its 1u 2u or 4U or desktop and what kind of SCSI drives you want. If you go with 1U you will probably have to have an integrated SCSI.

You probably want to go SCSI for hard drives.
You could get 10,000 rpm's or 15,000 rpms
The best 10,000 rpm as far as access time is the quantum
atlas 10K II
10000rpm, 4.7ms access, 8mb cache, 3.5 lp, a/v rated, 68pin qm318400ty-lw
I would suggest the 18gig version.

If you want the absolutely fastest hardrive get the 15,000 rpm the Seagate ST318451LC 15000RPM SCSI NEW MANUGACTURE WARRANTY It has a 3.9 ms access time This is only in a 18 gig version

If you absolutely need a lot of disc space say 50 or 80gig then you will have to settle for lesser access specs but still get a SCSI


As far as CPU why skimp. Get dual 1 ghz (or the maximum cost effective CPU your motherboard supports). and ram is cheap take a look at pricewatch.com 1 gig ram sticks are 480 to 514 depending on what type you need. and 512's are much cheaper.

So overall I suggest something based on a Supermicro 370DL3 or DLE or similiar board with integrated Ultra 160 and Integrated NIC
with that you need cheap graphic card
2 1 gig CPU
2 10,000 or 15,000 rpm hard drives
500 to 4000 megs of ram
maybe redundant power supplies and another NIC card


I would suggest checking what racksaver has constructed as far as rackmount servers at http://racksaver.com/products/index.asp
They provide a good selection of motherboard and part combinations. It could give you some ideas even if you don't buy from them.

Well everyone here has summed it up very well but I just wanted to add something. If these sites are going to do very hard intensive database stuff then you should consider a combination of RAID setting. In paticular RAID 1 and RAID 5. This is for your read write of data. Usually you will want to put Log files on a RAID 1 for SQL and data on RAID 5. This will mean that you probably can't go with a 1U server. We use Compaq DL 360 IU servers and they're great. You can do a RAID 1 with this. Ideal for the other server which doesn't need SQL. You can also go with the same server for the other one but like I said you will be stuck with only a RAID 1 configuration as you only get two bays for HD.

I won't go less than 1 GB of RAM. Also get Diskeeper for defraging your server. NT defrags badly. A defrag comes with 2000. Schedule that to run automatically. Last but not least get the highest CPU you can offord or get. You will thank me later. Create two partition and give enough space for the System partition (c: drive) and the rest for data (d: drive)

Now you won't get too much performance if they are using the same controller card since it will all reside on the same array but it's still nice to split it. I can get more detailed and have some fun but I don't think you want to spend that kind of money :)

Thanks a lot everybody for your valuable help.

Regards,

Avinash