Is it a good idea to build a server? I have built all the computers in my house. The reason is I am running 2 coblat servers, and they are CRAP! I would like to build my own and install all the software needed and learn a crapload of junk. Now, in order to build a server, will I need a sepecial power supply or anything like that, or can I just buy all my stuff from pricewatch.com and put it together like a normal computer?

Thanks In Advance!
Sam Powers

Would you want to build a rack server?

Sure, if it weren't too much more $$ and I knew a good place to buy the parts online AND it wasn't much different from building a normal computer... Too many conditions? :stickout

Thanks,
Sam Powers

Spend the money and get a Dell. That is the best advice I can give you.

Building a rackmount server is nothing like building a computer, you have to get special ram (most of the time), you are limited to one or two pic cards, everything has to be compact, you have to tie things down to make sure wires dont hit anything they shouldnt. In short, its nothing like a computer other then that things connect is basically the same manner. Then theres the process of sintalling the os to be used for serving, doing the needed updatres, etc.... And unless you find a good place to buy the parts, it will cost you more than paying for one.

However, if you can build a non-rackmount server (they cost a lot mroe to co-locate), and if you know how to install your server os rather well then you can always try. Build a backup machine or dev server, cant hurt.

Originally posted by TedS
Building a rackmount server is nothing like building a computer, you have to get special ram (most of the time), you are limited to one or two pic cards, everything has to be compact, you have to tie things down to make sure wires dont hit anything they shouldnt. In short, its nothing like a computer other then that things connect is basically the same manner. Then theres the process of sintalling the os to be used for serving, doing the needed updatres, etc.... And unless you find a good place to buy the parts, it will cost you more than paying for one.


Sounds like you're talking about 1U (1.75" high) rackmounts. Those are atypical because most PC parts aren't sized for that situation. 2U is more comfortable, and fits standard RAM and usually two PCI cards on risers. 4U is basically a normal case turned on its side, completely standard.

Kevin

My appologies... i was spreaking about 1u servers as sigma pointed out. 2u servers are still short and require a bit of thought, 4u's however are just like normal machines. The only main differance is how motherboards line up inside teh case and how deep of a case you get.

Thanks for all the feedback!

I have decided to go with a souped-up version of Dell PowerEdge 1550. It will (hopefully) work better than my Sun servers.

Can anyone tell me if this is a good choice?

Sun SUCKS! Never get buy a server from Sun. All my Sun servers crash once a month! It is rediculus!

(Just wanted to pay my tribute to Sun. I am done now.)

Thanks,
Sam Powers

Sun with Linux is quite cool and stable.
Solaris is the best solution.
We had a sun spark with solaris with a lot of crashes... Then we installed Linux on the box no changes to the hardware and it was a real cool box..... better performance, and more stability...

Have a great day :)

regards
amar

Originally posted by sam777

Sun SUCKS! Never get buy a server from Sun. All my Sun servers crash once a month! It is rediculus!

(Just wanted to pay my tribute to Sun. I am done now.)


Actually, sun servers have a pretty good reputation. I've personally never had any problems with sun servers.

I think you may be referring to Sun Cobalt RaQs. They're not really Sun servers. They were made by Cobalt before Sun bought them out. Sun servers and Cobalts really aren't on the same level.

Originally posted by sam777
Sun SUCKS! Never get buy a server from Sun. All my Sun servers crash once a month! It is rediculus!

Don't confuse real Sun servers with those Cobalt Raq paperweights.

Originally posted by sigma
4U is basically a normal case turned on its side, completely standard.


... and in some cases (pun unintended) that is exactly what it is. I was scavenging a power supply from an old 286 system recently, and after taking off the plastic front plate I found -- surprise surprise -- a 19" 4U case, complete with mounting brackets.

Of course, back in those days even PC cases were built out of steel, unlike the flimsy aluminium cases we see now.

Originally posted by netsolutions
Spend the money and get a Dell. That is the best advice I can give you.

Not to be offensive,
But why would you want to support another hosting firm? Dell has hosting, and any revenue that you give them is money that could help them.

I would advise looking at other firms that offer servers. or if you have to buy Dell, go the refurbish route.

-Sqposter / Michael

Originally posted by sqposter
But why would you want to support another hosting firm? Dell has hosting, and any revenue that you give them is money that could help them.
If Sun suddenly took up hosting services, would I not buy from them? Nope. Same with Dell. They offer very solid machines at decent prices.

Just because AT&T offers Cable, Internet, Long Distance and Local Phone Service, and Hosting doesn't mean I'm not going to use them for their 800 service and small business packages. :)

B2B.

Originally posted by allera

If Sun suddenly took up hosting services, would I not buy from them? Nope. Same with Dell. They offer very solid machines at decent prices.

Just because AT&T offers Cable, Internet, Long Distance and Local Phone Service, and Hosting doesn't mean I'm not going to use them for their 800 service and small business packages. :)

B2B.

I agree with most of your post. But I would think that there are other options within the price range and quality that dell offers. The majority of these post always mention Dell. I rarely see Aspen or Angstrom.

-Sqposter / Michael

Sorry, I need to explain a little. Yes, I guess I was talking about Cobalt servers, however, any low-end Sun server is (from my personal experiences) nothing more than a crappy, slow processing box of crap. I am more specifically talking about the Netra servers. Now if you are willing to shell out a few G's, then yes, of course you will have a good server.

I hope I didn't offend any hard-core Sun fans with my Sun tribute, but if I did, I am sorry - I'm talking on the behalf of us small poor people who can only afford crappy servers. ;)

Thanks again for all the feedback! I ordered the Dell PowerEdge 1550 server today and got a good discount on it. :D I have someone that will teach me how to set it all up and have a great time. I am pumped!

Sam Powers

I've built servers similar in configuration to the RAQ's (K6-2 based) using a standard Linux or BSD distribution that seem a lot more reliable and less touchy than the Cobalts proprietary setup. I don't know what they do but it's something specific to their servers.

Originally posted by sam777
...any low-end Sun server is (from my personal experiences) nothing more than a crappy, slow processing box of crap. I am more specifically talking about the Netra servers.
What OS were you running on those Netra servers and which Netra servers were they? I've had no problems with our Netras so far (knock on wood).

What OS were you running on those Netra servers and which Netra servers were they? They were X1's with Solaris 8. Maybe I just got a bad one... I just didn't give them a second chance.