Server Hardware
 

I know this isn't the Hardware forum, but I don't need to know whats compattible


What I would like to know what is the most important features to have when building a server.

ie: cpu, ram, gigabit, raid, sata, scsi etc etc

I would appreciate any comments and user experiences with lesser quality hardware. What have you learned, what do you think is the best solution. How do you feel about 64bit to 32 when using a server..

Please don't be afraid to post!

Thanks

--Ashley

Fast and redundant is how you should approach it when building a server. Get fast hard drives, SCSI if possible and make them redundant by using a RAID setup.. etc.

Then it always helps to have fast CPU and as much RAM possible.. just all depends on what your going to use the server for.

Say your building a server for personal use or for family.. a Pentium 166MHz could do the job since there's no heavy load on it.

So it all comes down to what your building it for, who your building it for and what the server is going to be serving..

You'll need to give us more than that to go on. ie:

What is the server going to be used for - ie which services will it run?
How many concurrent users are going to be accessing each service?
How much storage capacity is required and what sort of data is it?

It's going to be used to host Companies Websites that recieve little if any hits. Im still researching the software side but I would imagine that I would be only using apache.

Then like trickykid said I'd stick to getting fast disks and maybe raid 5 or just 1 if you want to cut costs. You shouldn't need much ram if you aren't handling any databases, 512Mb would probably be enough. CPU shouldn't really be too important, most modern servers are about the 2Ghz mark anyway which should be more than sufficient for sites that don't receive many hits.

What do you think of buying a 64 bit motherboard and using a 32bit sempron? That way the server would be upgradeable I think.... Also when using a raid should I buy a card or onboard? Is it feasable to use sata. And if so is it hotswappable.

Hardware raid vs software?

Thanks.

Ofcourse the more responses the easier it will be for me to make a learned decision.

Please let me know what you don't like and why.

Thanks again.

--Ashley

Personally from my experience, use an actual SCSI hardware RAID controller card if the motherboard you choose doesn't have hardware RAID. And I'd personally stay away from SATA for now.. SCSI is proven reliable and stable, its faster from what I've seen as well. SCSI is hotswappable as well.

Though, if your limiting your costs, software RAID perhaps using RAID 1 should do the job without any problems.

About the CPU, I've only had experience with Intel.. Probably in your case if your going to be hosting sites, you'd probably better off getting a dual cpu setup, perhaps dual P4's would do the job, so you can expand without worrying about changing hardware so quickly, etc.

If you are going to host websites for businesses, its very likely if they have domains, they're going to want email and possibly databases as well, so better faster hardware and possibly buying more than one machine for several tasks wouldn't be a bad idea. Though if its very light traffic, going overboard never hurts cause you never know.

Im not sure if there will be database's but I will find out. Basically Im trying to help out a neighbour who has a chance at making alot of money if he sets up his own server, but needs to know the ins and outs. I have the time.. where as he's busy with his present employment.