Recommendations on new Server

I would like suggestions and recommendations on buying a new server. My primary needs are hosting an internet based software application, domain controller and antivirus server.

I've been looking at the Dell PowerEdge Tower Servers and I really like those and the pricing. Trying to keep it under $2500.

Any suggestions on hardware specs?

 

What type of server do you want? rackmount or a tower server.

 

Dell servers are good.
Avoid the small business version if you don't need exchange
Go for the 64 bit version with 8 Gig memory if your apps will run on 64 bit otherwise 4G with 32 bit will do.
The Dell raid hardware has issues with Server2008 service pack 1
You used to get the disks for both 2008 and 2003 server
Avoid the Dell UPS they are overpriced and the software a nightmare.
Get an auxiliary USB hard drive for backup.

Good luck

 

You do have a point however you cant get fully buffered ecc ram on a desktop motherboard probly the only draw back.

Are you going to be hosting this is a local server or home server? If you are going to host a software application online you need bandwidth which is not cheap in aus.

 

Tower Server

 

This server will be used in an office with about 75 workstations. It will manage the Domain Controller, DNS Server, Antivirus Server and host an internet based software application. We already have a T-1 in place so we're already paying out the rear for bandwidth.

Here are the specs I have right now. Comments? $2,515.00

 

I think you would benefit from a second network adapter (much cheaper with the server)

Why are you showing the RAID options?

There are two ways to have a 'RAID' Server2008 can run a software RAID (not recommended)
You can specify a RAID card (extra)

Either way get Dell to set it up for you.

Make sure you get the correct 'type' of CAL - There are two types.

 

I added the "2x Broadcom 5709 Dual Port 1GbE NIC w/TOE iSCSI, PCIe-4", little pricey but oh well.

I'm not too famialir with RAID setups, would I be better leaving this option as is?

I'm probably going to buy the OS elsewhere and install it myself. I shouldn't need any device or user CALS with what I'm using this server for should I?

 

Well it appears this is my final config and what I'm ordering...what ya think??

 

I just remembered I need a 32-bit OS so I'm going to change to 4GB RAM dangit. :\

 

The 5 cals come as part of Windows Server. You have to buy any extra on top.

A CAL is basically a connection licence (=M$ money spinner)
A CAL is per seat (machine connected to the server) or per user. You have to specify which at the outset you can't mix n match. Until you do specify the CAL can be either sort.

One of your requirements is for a Domain controller. You will need CALS for connecting devices or users. The 5 that come with Windows may be enough for your requirements.

Since you are planning to use this as an internet server you might want a RAID for speed. However Raids optimised for speed take much longer to rebuild when down as the information (and Windows) is distributed over several drives so rebuilding is basically reinstalling. I would not recommend using the onboard SIS controller and Windows for this.

The other reason for RAID is data security by redundancy (or mirroring). This can be quite costly in hardware terms and I have suggested an external backup as an alternative. (I would still do this even with a RAID).

The hot plug facility has two components - the hardware (metalwork) and the controller. I don't think the onboard drive controller supports hot plugging, you would need the extra RAID card to use this, but check with Dell.

 

The internet based software that will be ran from this server, there won't be but like 3 or 4 at the most using this software. I'm not familiar with RAID setups that's one reason I wasn't planning on adding that. If I were to go with a RAID controller which of these options would be best?

Does this server really need a RAID controller with only 1 HDD?

 

With only a single hard drive you cannot use a RAID. You need at least two drives.

Further you really need to set up a RAID (or not) from the outset. It is the devils own job to try later.

So no you do not need a RAID card. So do not tick that option on the Dell sheet.

Incidentally RAID 0 simply makes two hard drives appear as one large one. I never recommend this as the files, including Windows ones can be one either drive or part on one and part on the other. Great for capacity, until something goes wrong and you have to try to find bits of files on two drives, neither of which are viable on their own.

When you have a clear idea (list) of what you are after, get a Dell representaive to call back and talk it over. They are pretty helpful and you can negotiate extras in the deal, you may get the 3 year service thrown in free.
I can't point you at anyone as my contacts are in Europe not the States.

 

Okay! That's what I was wondering if I would benefit by adding (2) 500 GB HDD's and adding a RAID controller but I don't want the potential problems that come along with files being everywhere. If I was doing more with this server I would probably go with a RAID controller but for what it's going to be used for I think I'm better off leaving it as is.

I've got the setup I've decided to go with. I'm going to get the OS elsewhere and install it myself. I'm going with Win Server 2k8 Standard x86. This setup was $2513 shipped.