I'm building myself a new server for my home network.
To start with I need a motherboard, this should ideally have a built in scsi interface (for backup tape drive), built in VGA , also ideally (but not necessarily) have dual processor support.
Recommendations?...
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I have an ideal combination for you that is both flexible and inexpensive.
First though, my view is that of stability and reliability as opposed to the latest and greatest. With this in mind, I'm not recommending a motherboard with everything on it as this creates problems in the event of a hardware failure.
1. iWill dual processor motherboard (Pentium III) with DDR support.
http://www.iwillusa.com/pr
2. Twin Pentium III processors which are at an all-time low cost and still viable for a server. These should be matched processors!
3. DDR memory - 1GB
4. Adaptec 2940/W or Ultra 160 SCSI card, either of which is plenty fast enough for tape backup, inexpensive and will allow for expansion.
5. Low cost PCI video card.
You should be able to put this package together as noted for about $450US or less.
Dennis
I don't think he's going for a budget board, kiranghah.
Here's a weird one: http://www.soyousa.com/pro
and something strange: http://www.computergiants.
It depends what you want it for.
If your just using it as a server for several computers, an email server and an internet gateway then you don't need anything overly powerfull. In fact it can be significatly less powerfull than your desktops (it doesn't need to do a whole lot of processing itself), just make sure there is enough memory in there (256mb or more).
From my own personal experiance of building a server for a home network for several PC's I only used a 1.1ghz Duron with 256 mb of RAM, 80gb barracuda hd (IDE).
It serves 4 PC's and 2 laptops, all more powerfull than the server, the server also doubles as a dvd player for the TV downstairs and the occasional game of Quake3 - This setup is absolutelly fine and runs 24/7 with no slowdowns or problems.
Thus I would recommend saving some money - just get a cheap Athlon xp board with built in VGA graphics, and a PCI SCSCI card if you so desire a SCSCI hard drive.
To be honest though I would only recommend a SCSCI drive if you're serving more than 10 PC's at once.
You might consider the Serial ATA drive from Western Digital, it is only 36GB but it is a 10,000RPM drive - the Raptor. It is the fastest thing you can get for Serial ATA at the moment - and it's cheaper than most SCSCI hard-drives. (This would also mean that a SCSCI connection wouldn't be required). This would therefore add Serial ATA to your motherboard spec requirements.
Hope this helps!
-Nilknarf. :o)
I personally would have given the newer AMD Opteron CPU's a try instead of Intel's. With the Opteron CPU you get both 32-bit support as well as 64-bit support.
I have one dual CPU motherboard with support for the earlier AMD CPU model called Athlon MP. This is a TYAN motherboard. And I am very satisfied with the stability with this motherboard. Of course the Opteron CPU is new and I my self have never had any one in my hands. It seems that this Autumn will bring the Opteron motherboards into the market. There is allready Opteron based motherboards on the market from various brand names.
The AMD CPU's seems to be less costly to buy than Intel CPU's. There is a lot of good reviews of the Opteron CPU's allready. And if you like German quality...
If you want a dual system you need to buy an Opteron CPU that has a number in the 200 series.
An example would be: AMD Opteron 242, 1.6GHz, 2way Socket 940 prosessor
If you want to save money the AMD Athlon MP based motherboards are still available for cheaper price. All new stuff costs extra money.
If you would like to check out the specifications for the TYAN products here is some webpages:
http://www.tyan.com
Opteron motherboards (Socket 940):
http://www.tyan.com/produc
( Thunder platforms provide maximum performance for leading-edge servers and workstations.
These system boards feature dual-processor and quad-processor designs, integrated LAN, as well as optional SCSI and server management. Thunder platforms are ideal for enterprise web/file serving, SAN storage, CAD/CAM, digital media, and more)
And here is a cheaper solution (Socket 940):
http://www.tyan.com/produc
( Tiger platforms feature a dual-processor design and are ideal for cost-effective server, workstation and high-powered desktop installations. Tiger system boards pack a powerful punch, with exceptional affordability and an abundance of flexible features geared for workgroup file serving, CAD/CAM, digital video and imaging, gaming and more)
Tyan has also got a lot of Intel based dual motherboards as well.
Do you really want the SCSI system? The SCSI makes it all more expensive. There are Serial-ATA harddisks that has a speed of 10000 rpm allready from Western Digital (the Raptor series). SCSI has 15000 rpm disks though.
You can get RAID systems in both SCSI and Serial-ATA if necessary. HighPoint makes some Serial-ATA RAID controllers. And you can choose if you want to buy a Serial-ATA controller for attaching the harddisk internally or externally (with the RocketMATE enclosures).
It is you that need to make the final decisions.
Best Regards
W
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by: kiranghagPosted on 2003-09-20 at 06:51:31ID: 9398739
budget?
processing requirements?
total nodes?
software to be run?