pre-configured vs. better hardware for new server
 

A coworker and I are checking around for a new rack server to replace our IT support server. I found a great (sounding) server from Freedom Technologies that comes configured with FreeBSD 7 amd64, also ready-to-go with Apache, PHP, and MySQL configured, for about an additional $1k.

My coworker insists we go with a Dell that's comparable to the one I found with an extra $1k in hardware upgrades, but with no OS. Neither of us are proficient at setting up servers, so I told him that the extra money would be better spent on something already configured.

We're probably going to stick with Linux or FreeBSD, but I think I'm the only one with FreeBSD experience (and not that much.) I've used Linux for several years, so I know how much of a pain setting up hardware can be.

I've already told him that I can set things up the hard way if necessary, but also that I'll either be getting paid to create a server or to do something of more value if we pay for a server that's ready to go. On one hand setting one up from scratch is something I need to do eventually to learn, on the other hand this isn't our only project.
ta0kira

PS The hardware on my find is more than enough, but the hardware on his is major overkill, even for future-proofing.

You can set up an Ubuntu-Server in about 15 minutes (not including download time) from a simple menu driven program.

See: http://www.howtoforge.com/perfect-server-ubuntu8.04-lts

Even if it takes you 4 times as long there is no need to spend $1,000 for 1 hour of work.

Ubuntu is highly secure and supported over the Internet. There is nothing in the more complicated distributions that a new linux user will miss.

Since this is the BSD forum and not all people like Ubuntu, I'll add some info.

There are plenty of resources out there, that would help you building a FreeBSD server. There is a book called 'Building a Server with FreeBSD 7' by Bryan Hong, that is a really good resource.

Your needs don't sound too complex, you should be able to find plenty of documentation to walk you through the setup process.

Save the 1k, and point out to your boss(es), you are saving them money. Maybe they'll give you a bonus ;)

@ta0kira: What's your question, exactly?

If you don't want to play 'sysadmin', then perhaps a server with the OS pre-installed (from either vendor) would be a wise choice. You appear to be a dedicated programmer, and it's important to be cognizant of 1) your specialized skillset; 2) your time constraints.

[ This is the same argument behind why you don't ask the Cisco engineer to go clear your printer jam, by the way. ]

Actually, my job really isn't to be the sysadmin; I was hired specifically to rework the entire IT support system to integrate programs so we can spend more time on tech support and less time figuring out what's going on. They hired me for my programming and program management experience and setting up a new web/database server system was something they didn't think they could do on their own.

I do know one can get Linux systems up and running very quickly, but I've had at least one piece of hardware on every computer that I've never gotten to work properly and I didn't want to take that risk with a new server. When dealing with configuration, I spend 99% of my time trying to get a few pieces of hardware working that don't have *nix drivers, and in this case I can't afford for that to be a network adapter or RAID controller.

It looks like we'll be going with a blank server, and we'll probably have to go with Linux so that I'm not the only server admin.
ta0kira

Go with the pre-configured server IMO. There's no point in spending extra time learning something that won't be a frequent part of your duties (installing new servers).

If we were installing FreeBSD from CD/FTP then it would easily cost us $1k in hours, judging by all of my previous attempts to get it working even marginally (been trying since 5.2 on various computers.) In the end, I've always just gone back to Slackware after losing patience with FreeBSD. I'd really like to use it because of its great reputation once it's working, but I never seem to have time to get it working. As a programmer, I'm very interested in it's different capabilities over Linux, but again, I can't even manage to get it working well enough to effectively develop multi-OS source.

I gave them my "consent" to just go with the better hardware since I really don't have anything tangible to justify a FreeBSD server. Sure, it would be great to have one, but that's no argument in favor of the extra money it would cost in either situation.
ta0kira