Linux Server Suggestions

12-01-08, 06:24 PM

Hello Linux Gurus and Computer Hardware wizards,

I'm seeking your expert advice on purchasing a Linux (SUSE) server. My place of work is in the process of buying a server to host a database that is accessible through a website. The guy we contract to administer the database has suggested a Dell PowerEdge 1900 with the following specs:

PowerEdge 1900: Quad Core Intel® Xeon® E5310, 2x4MB Cache, 1.60GHz, 1066MHz FSB
Additional Processor: Quad Core Intel® Xeon® E5310, 2x4MB Cache, 1.60GHz, 1066MHz FSB
Memory: 16GB 667MHz (8x2GB), Dual Ranked Fully Buffered DIMMs
Operating System: SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 10, SP2, Up To 32 CPU Lic, 3 YR Sub, FI, Media
Primary Controller: SAS5/iR, PCI-Express, Add-In RAID Card
Hard Drive Configuration: Add-in SAS/SATA RAID 1, SAS 5/iR Adapter
Primary Hard Drive: 1TB 7.2K RPM Serial ATA 3Gbps 3.5-in Cabled Hard Drive
2nd Hard Drive: 1TB 7.2K RPM Serial ATA 3Gbps 3.5-in Cabled Hard Drive
Power Cords: Power Cord, 250 volt, C13 to C14, PDU Style, 10 amps, 2 feet / .6 meter
Network Card: Single Embedded Broadcom® NetXtreme II 5708 Gigabit Ethernet NIC
Optional Feature Upgrades for Integrated NIC Ports: LOM NIC is TOE Ready
Removable Disk and Tape Drives: No Internal Tape Drive
CD/DVD Drive: 16X DVD-ROM
Floppy Drive: No Floppy Drive
Keyboard: No Keyboard Option
Mouse: No Mouse Option
Documentation: Electronic Documentation and OpenManage DVD Kit
Hardware Support Services: 3 Year ProSupport for IT and Mission Critical 4HR 7x24 Onsite Pack
Installation Support Services: No Installation Assessment

This system comes out to about $4500. It seems like overkill to me, but I don't know much about Linux servers. The database doesn't get all that much traffic (~40 hits/day) and isn't ginormous. So what do you all think? Do we really need 2 Quad cores and 16 GB of RAM? Your advice is appreciated.

mm

aximbigfan · 12-01-08, 08:22 PM

Seems more than fine for 40 hits a day.

Hell, for my intranet that gets a few hundred hits (1 per 5min) a day, I use a 300MHZ embedded ARM9 Orion box with 128Mb of RAM. It runs MySQL on Debian. For anything concerning the internet, you need a little more than that, since you could get a sudden surge of users, or what have you. ;)

In summery: That is more than you need, but good if you are planning to upsize.

Chris

12-01-08, 08:29 PM

Thanks ABF,

I knew I could count on you to weigh in. There are no current plans to upsize AFAIK. I think we would like to spend a bit less (or a lot less if we can get away with it). Where would you make cuts? Would a single processor and less RAM be a good place to start?

aximbigfan · 12-01-08, 09:14 PM

To tell you the truth, I won't downsize the specs all that much. If you leave it the way it is, then you have a bit more capability to upsize, and maybe even run more stuff on the one box.

If you had to down it a bit, I guess you probably don't need a 4 core proc, and 16Gb of RAM is a tad excessive. Even 8Gb would be sufficient.

EDIT: Just noticed you are running a dual proc setup there. One proc would be sufficient, but keep it at 4 cores.

Chris

spud42 · 12-02-08, 07:13 AM

great for the future if the traffic increases but way overkill . i have a compaq proliant 1600 server that is now about 8 years old. it is dual P3 600mhz with about 1 gig ram. it ran a Bankers Trust site for 2 weeks while we got parts to fix their server which was of lower spec. i used to install servers for the Gold Coast City Council only 2 years ago when i worked for HP. none of there servers were more than 4 gig... mostly prolialt DL380 G4 and DL360 G4 these have more than enough grunt to do file serving,print serving as well as your database even if you got 200 hits / day...... i hate to see people waste money when it isnt necessary . try the HP or DELL websites for small business servers....... shop around. ask for a second opinion/quote from another company....

12-02-08, 01:02 PM

Thanks ABF and spud.
You guys are my second opinion. I think this guy is just trying to see how much computer he can get us to buy.

mm

aximbigfan · 12-02-08, 04:35 PM

I think your right :)

Normally, when I build any computer for a client, I tend to go a tad higher than they need. (for example, maybe upping the hdd space by a factor of tens, or upping the memory by a gig.)

Chris

spud42 · 12-03-08, 08:46 AM

good point ABF.. the customer can underestimate what they really need but in this case i think another quote is needed...

**breley** · 12-03-08, 09:00 AM

How much of the price includes the OS & support agreement?

And not to hijack the thread, but a couple years ago I found an "business" ebay seller that sold me 2 x Redhat Advance Server 2.1 software boxes and licenses w/3 year support and upgrades for $120 total. They had found the two sets of disks with some servers they got from a business they bought (but they went to windows). I was able to register, download RH 3 AS & 4 AS and get enterprise on-site support. There was a part of me that toyed with the idea of calling up support and having them come out and "work" on my HP LH4 Netserver in my basement, lol. After I logged into the Redhat portal, I discovered the additional software packages and such the licenses entitled me to would have run around $5000 had a purchased in standard retail. Needless to say I was flabbergasted.

I also got a similar deal for SuSE Enterprise Server 8...the whole sealed boxed deal, 3 years on-site support for about $85, from another business selling off assets.

Too bad my 3 years are up. :) I really liked how Redhat allowed users to log in and check on the various system status items.

12-03-08, 02:49 PM

Originally Posted by breley

How much of the price includes the OS & support agreement?

And not to hijack the thread, but a couple years ago I found an "business" ebay seller that sold me 2 x Redhat Advance Server 2.1 software boxes and licenses w/3 year support and upgrades for $120 total. They had found the two sets of disks with some servers they got from a business they bought (but they went to windows). I was able to register, download RH 3 AS & 4 AS and get enterprise on-site support. There was a part of me that toyed with the idea of calling up support and having them come out and "work" on my HP LH4 Netserver in my basement, lol. After I logged into the Redhat portal, I discovered the additional software packages and such the licenses entitled me to would have run around $5000 had a purchased in standard retail. Needless to say I was flabbergasted.

I also got a similar deal for SuSE Enterprise Server 8...the whole sealed boxed deal, 3 years on-site support for about $85, from another business selling off assets.

Too bad my 3 years are up. :) I really liked how Redhat allowed users to log in and check on the various system status items.

This is a very good point. The OS is about $500 and the support is around $1000. Could I get the OS somewhere else cheaper? I don't know anything about SUSE but other Linux distros I've dealt with (very sparingly) have been a pain to install and get working. I don't like dealing with ebay because it's a crap shoot if you are getting a genuine usable product. I'm not sure why he thinks we need the top of the line level of support. Honestly, if the database was down for a few days it wouldn't be that big a deal. There is no revenue involved here.