I'm going to set up a couple of dns servers and a mail server for my company. Administering them should be no problem but I'm at a loss as to how powerful these servers should be.

Does anyone have any recommendations on how powerful a dns and mail server should be set up (eg. single/dual processor, ram, disk space, etc.)? These servers will be used for ip-based and virtual hosting.

thanks.

DNS you could put on a couple of old PCs, PII-300 or something as it really doesn't put much load on a server, unless of course you're getting some serious amounts of traffic to it, like maybe MS.

old pII-300's? can these old servers handle it?

Yeah, they should easily be able to cope, stick 64-128mb ram in, and you're away, DNS is not a stressful operation. We currently have our DNS on Sun Netra servers and it doesn't even get them going nevermind about making a mark on the loads - But comparing Intel to Sun is a bit apples and oranges. DNS isn't stressful unless you're expecting a huge number of requests.

what about mail servers? i guess i would something better than your recommendation right?

Something like a P3-1Ghz, 256mb ram would prob last quite some time as a mail server, as long as you've not got large mailing lists going through it often.

For DNS, we used to run on an AMD 350 w/256mb mem for... quite some time, and that was more than enough power.
Ran mail from an old p2-200 for the longest time also. That is also plenty, until you start implementing things like webmail, spam filtering, virus scanning.

I'd agree with the above posting.
DNS, 300+ should work.
Mail, go for the best you feel you need, atleast 1ghz and lots o ram ;)

If you're worried at all, go with 1ghz+ computers. I just upgraded a computer with a motherboard, 1.2Ghz chip, and 256MB DDR SDRAM for less than $150. 1Ghz+ CPUs and accompanying hardware are cheap these days.

ok thanks. i think i have a general idea on how to plan for this. thanks again everyone :D

use djbdns & qmail ..saves $$ on hardware