Where is the best place to purchase a 1u rack server? I am looking into dell for the reliabilty of part but are there any other companys that make a cheaper model.

Of course I would like to find quality products. Thank you very much.

James :eek:

try this: www.racksaver.com

I second racksaver.com

Thanks a ton! I too am in San Diego!

Build your own? :) We just built a P3 1 GHz, 512M, 2x20gig 7200 RPM Hard Drives for $1k. That includes an ASUS CUR-DLS dual processor motherboard (excellent mobo). Be sure to get low-profile ram and a 25mm tall heatsink, else the cover won't screw on. :)

I too was looking at Dell's 1Us, specifically the PowerEdge1550, but it was twice the amount that I could build one for, so I built one -- same specs, half price. :)

Im not too up to date on hardware prices, where you get the parts for that?

Originally posted by davidb
Im not too up to date on hardware prices, where you get the parts for that?
Googlegear.com:
- $192 - P3 1ghz
- $170 - 2 20 gig 7200 RPM Maxtors
- $185 - 1U Chassis w/ 5 fans and quiet PS (it's not that quiet, but that's what they advertise -- I'd hate to hear a noisy one!)
- $20 - Black Floppy

American Design Components:
- $350 - ASUS CUR-DLS mobo (great price!)

CDW.com:
- $128 - Kingston 512M PC133 Reg ECC Low-Profile RAM

The heatsink and fan (Low-Profile Orb) I got from a buddy who had a shelf full of them, but they go for under $10.

Add a little shipping and you have your total. It came to right around $1,000 (maybe $1,100 with shipping). Dell wanted over 2 Gs for an almost exact spec'd computer, even with their silly promos.

Search www.pricewatch.com and you'll find good things at great prices.

Are there any tutorials or guides on building specifically rackmount servers?

Just make sure it all fits. :) If you are concerned about it all not fitting (1U is mighty thin!), get a 2U case. You won't have to worry about the low-profile heatsinks or RAM. Then again, you can only fit 1/2 as many on a rack. :)

You can avoid the "low profile ram" issue if you get a motherboard designed for a 1U case; one which has angled sockets. TYAN and Supermicro both make such motherboards. I am sure there are more too.

It's great to build your own, if you can. But is it all that wise to say Co-lo your own home built server if it's the first own you've ever built? I know you didn't say co-lo but just a question.

I bought a Dell and it's great. It gives me that "safe" feeling as far as the hardware goes. No prob's with it and they back their stuff up.

Originally posted by mojotim
I bought a Dell and it's great. It gives me that "safe" feeling as far as the hardware goes. No prob's with it and they back their stuff up.

As long as you buy quality parts, I don't see the problem with building your own. I do agree with you, I love the security Dell provides, but their prices for 1U servers are pretty high -- more buck for the bang. We have a PowerEdge 1400 ourselves, and it's been fantastic thus far; it was a great price too.

How to build your own 1U rackmount server

http://linuxtoday.com/news_story.php3?ltsn=2000-01-16-001-05-NW-LF

It's a bit out of date.......

www.onlinespectrum.com

pretty solid, and a great price

Joe