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What other "accessories" do I need to turn this bare-box Server into a functioning Database Server
Hi all,
I have just inherited a bare-boned used IBM xSeries 445 Server for private use and I want to accessorize the box for "virtualization" (I will like to run multi-OS on it) and for database servers for training purposes. Given the following information about the box, what do you see that I need to make the hardware come alive for the purpose stated above. This is important as I am not a hardware person but willing to learn some. Please suggest hardware and software (especially if I can get them free or cheap) such as RAID drives, server Operating System (64-bit OS), etc etc. I will truly appreciate any help I can get on this matter.
Thanks
Hardware Data
IBM xSeries 445 EIGHT P4 XEON MP 2Ghz 4096Mb Server (EIGHT XEON MP CPUs! 4Gb RAM)
--------------------------
Brand IBM
Model xSeries 445
General
Form Factor 4U
Operating System Not Included
Warranty 30 Days Exchange Warranty
Processor
Processor Manufacturer IBM
Processor Type Xeon MP
Processor Speed 2.0GHz
Quantity Installed 8
Max Quantity Supported 8
Graphics
Interface Type Onboard
Memory
Included Memory 4096Mb
Max Memory Capacity 32GB
Memory Type PC133
Hard Drive
Quantity Installed 0
Interface SCSI
SCSI
SCSI Card On Board
Supports RAID Yes, Supported
Optical Drive Primary
Type DVD-ROM
Optical Drive Secondary
Type Not Included
Networking
LAN Controller Included
LAN Speed 10/100/1000 Mbps
LAN Ports 2
Modem 56K
Ports
USB 3
Serial 1
VGA 2
PS/2 2
Power Supply
Quantity Installed 2
Maximum Power Supplies 2
Expansion Slots
PCI-X Slots (Available/Total) 6
Additional Information
Floppy Drive Included
Keyboard Not Included
Mouse Not Included
Power Cable Not Included
Color Black
Size
Width 17.5 in
Height 6.75 in
Depth 29 in
Weight 97 lbs
I have just inherited a bare-boned used IBM xSeries 445 Server for private use and I want to accessorize the box for "virtualization" (I will like to run multi-OS on it) and for database servers for training purposes. Given the following information about the box, what do you see that I need to make the hardware come alive for the purpose stated above. This is important as I am not a hardware person but willing to learn some. Please suggest hardware and software (especially if I can get them free or cheap) such as RAID drives, server Operating System (64-bit OS), etc etc. I will truly appreciate any help I can get on this matter.
Thanks
Hardware Data
IBM xSeries 445 EIGHT P4 XEON MP 2Ghz 4096Mb Server (EIGHT XEON MP CPUs! 4Gb RAM)
--------------------------
Brand IBM
Model xSeries 445
General
Form Factor 4U
Operating System Not Included
Warranty 30 Days Exchange Warranty
Processor
Processor Manufacturer IBM
Processor Type Xeon MP
Processor Speed 2.0GHz
Quantity Installed 8
Max Quantity Supported 8
Graphics
Interface Type Onboard
Memory
Included Memory 4096Mb
Max Memory Capacity 32GB
Memory Type PC133
Hard Drive
Quantity Installed 0
Interface SCSI
SCSI
SCSI Card On Board
Supports RAID Yes, Supported
Optical Drive Primary
Type DVD-ROM
Optical Drive Secondary
Type Not Included
Networking
LAN Controller Included
LAN Speed 10/100/1000 Mbps
LAN Ports 2
Modem 56K
Ports
USB 3
Serial 1
VGA 2
PS/2 2
Power Supply
Quantity Installed 2
Maximum Power Supplies 2
Expansion Slots
PCI-X Slots (Available/Total) 6
Additional Information
Floppy Drive Included
Keyboard Not Included
Mouse Not Included
Power Cable Not Included
Color Black
Size
Width 17.5 in
Height 6.75 in
Depth 29 in
Weight 97 lbs
ASKER CERTIFIED SOLUTION
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It'll certainly keep your house warm if you leave it on all the time!
ASKER
paulsolov,
Thanks for your response...which lead me to the following questions:
(1) The system came with no hard drive and no operating system. Could you suggest "Test Lab" cheap hard drives (Off-the-Shelf maybe) I can purchase. SCSI Card On Board and RAID is supported. I say cheap because the only earthly thing I will be doing with this machine is for personal training purposes only.
(2) The machine specs say it is a EIGHT P4 XEON MP 2Ghz CPUs Server. I definitely want to be able to run a 64-bit OS and to virtualize. What can I do about it? For this machine, how difficult is it to upgrade to a 64-bit capable CPUs? You mentioned a CPU that supports Intel Virtualization or AMD-V. Do you have any specific recommendation, parts number, anything of that nature?
(3) Could you explain further what you mean by "You will definately not be able to do is run 64 bit OS virtual machines (guest Operating Systems) because the P4 does not support this.". Can a 64-bit OS be run on the machine vitualized or not?
Again, thanks immensely for helping me understand what I've got myself into...
Thanks for your response...which lead me to the following questions:
(1) The system came with no hard drive and no operating system. Could you suggest "Test Lab" cheap hard drives (Off-the-Shelf maybe) I can purchase. SCSI Card On Board and RAID is supported. I say cheap because the only earthly thing I will be doing with this machine is for personal training purposes only.
(2) The machine specs say it is a EIGHT P4 XEON MP 2Ghz CPUs Server. I definitely want to be able to run a 64-bit OS and to virtualize. What can I do about it? For this machine, how difficult is it to upgrade to a 64-bit capable CPUs? You mentioned a CPU that supports Intel Virtualization or AMD-V. Do you have any specific recommendation, parts number, anything of that nature?
(3) Could you explain further what you mean by "You will definately not be able to do is run 64 bit OS virtual machines (guest Operating Systems) because the P4 does not support this.". Can a 64-bit OS be run on the machine vitualized or not?
Again, thanks immensely for helping me understand what I've got myself into...
See if you can pick up a few drives from Ebay, otherwise they will cost you quite a bit since they are hot plug drives.
The server is not upgradable to 64 bit CPUs, your only option is to get a different server if that is a major requirement. 64 bit OS can be virtualized but not on the CPUs that are in the system, only CPUs that support Intel Virtualizatio and AMD-V will support virtualizing 64 bit OS.
It may make more sense to get an off the shelf whitebox with a Q660 quad core processor and a few sata hard drives and 6-8GB RAM. You can install VMWare Server on top of Windows and run 64 bit virtual machines. You can probably pick up a system for under $600 since 64 bit OS is a requirement that X445 can't provide.
SOLUTION
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ASKER
You have been very helpful. I thank you. I have thirty days return for exchange and I now know what to ask for.
Thanks
Thanks
If you can, get fewer CPU's (saves electricity) and make sure you know which model they are -- they must be 64-bit. Check with the Intel site if you're not sure.
Also, get one with the Virtualization extensions mentioned by paulsolov. While you're at it, get hard drives and memory, too. ;-) You might even be able to get them to configure the drives in a RAID array for you, lightening your own work load.
Also, get one with the Virtualization extensions mentioned by paulsolov. While you're at it, get hard drives and memory, too. ;-) You might even be able to get them to configure the drives in a RAID array for you, lightening your own work load.
>If you can, get fewer CPU's (saves electricity)
That's what I said (although not in so many words). It's totally stupid to use an 8 way server for self training purposses.
That's what I said (although not in so many words). It's totally stupid to use an 8 way server for self training purposses.
ASKER
andyalder,
Young man, watch your language...In polite society, "It's totally wasteful to use an 8 way server for self training purposses" would be much more acceptable and much more appreciated...
Young man, watch your language...In polite society, "It's totally wasteful to use an 8 way server for self training purposses" would be much more acceptable and much more appreciated...