Theun111
asked on
New server, bang for buck!
First of all thanks for clicking on my question, I'd really appreciate it if you would help me by giving me advice.
To give your an image of where we need a server / network for:
* Maximizer CRM software (3 very active clients)
* QuoteWerks software (3 clients)
* Microsoft Exchange (6 very active clients)
* 2 x AXIS network cameras (~1-2 viewers)
* Financial software (1 client)
* 2 x QNAP
Now I'd probably think you'd start with a lightweight server built for small business, the problem is that we have a server at the moment that is built for small business. The current specifications are:
* Gigabit network (everything is gigabit, switches, clients, server and so on)
* Xeon 3050 2.13 GHz
* 4 GB Kingston RAM
We're constant having trouble with slow network (Q6600 + 4 GB client / E7400 + 2 GB client / E8600 + 4 GB client .. there's no slow hardware anywhere). This is probably because our server runs out of memory and the harddisks are being used as swap memory. After 2 weeks the memory goes above 4 GB until it becomes unusable, the clients become very slow, RDP refuses to work. The only solution is rebooting the server, which I do not accept as a solution.
You might say, why don't you upgrade the server memory? The motherboard* aswell as the installation (OS) is limited to 4 GB of memory.
* As far as I know
Now we have the following question, would you say the problem includes both network and server, only server or only network?
We have come to the following conclusions:
* Could it be the network?
* 10 Gbit is out of our leak and should not be necessary!
* Once we reboot the server, everything is very fast.
* In 1-2 weeks, we run out of memory on the server (nothing special, SQL for example for the CRM)
* The clients are powerfull enough
About the network, to be honest, we're not quite sure.
We decided first all to build a new server, based on these specifications:
* ASUS P6T SE
* Intel Core i7 860
* 3 x 4 GB (12 GB) Kingston memory
* RAID 5 with 4 Western Digital 24/7 HDD's
* Gigabit network card(s)
* RAID Controller
Now we know this is not server hardware, but we've used ASUS motherboards everywhere, they run perfectly 24/7, spending our money on quality hardware instead of server hardware we can get way more memory and speed for less money, we trust the system will definately be stable enough. All the computers we build for customers are rock solid and almost never return with failure.
So, should we build a new server that way? Questions? Idea? You're more than welcome!
Thanks for reading!
To give your an image of where we need a server / network for:
* Maximizer CRM software (3 very active clients)
* QuoteWerks software (3 clients)
* Microsoft Exchange (6 very active clients)
* 2 x AXIS network cameras (~1-2 viewers)
* Financial software (1 client)
* 2 x QNAP
Now I'd probably think you'd start with a lightweight server built for small business, the problem is that we have a server at the moment that is built for small business. The current specifications are:
* Gigabit network (everything is gigabit, switches, clients, server and so on)
* Xeon 3050 2.13 GHz
* 4 GB Kingston RAM
We're constant having trouble with slow network (Q6600 + 4 GB client / E7400 + 2 GB client / E8600 + 4 GB client .. there's no slow hardware anywhere). This is probably because our server runs out of memory and the harddisks are being used as swap memory. After 2 weeks the memory goes above 4 GB until it becomes unusable, the clients become very slow, RDP refuses to work. The only solution is rebooting the server, which I do not accept as a solution.
You might say, why don't you upgrade the server memory? The motherboard* aswell as the installation (OS) is limited to 4 GB of memory.
* As far as I know
Now we have the following question, would you say the problem includes both network and server, only server or only network?
We have come to the following conclusions:
* Could it be the network?
* 10 Gbit is out of our leak and should not be necessary!
* Once we reboot the server, everything is very fast.
* In 1-2 weeks, we run out of memory on the server (nothing special, SQL for example for the CRM)
* The clients are powerfull enough
About the network, to be honest, we're not quite sure.
We decided first all to build a new server, based on these specifications:
* ASUS P6T SE
* Intel Core i7 860
* 3 x 4 GB (12 GB) Kingston memory
* RAID 5 with 4 Western Digital 24/7 HDD's
* Gigabit network card(s)
* RAID Controller
Now we know this is not server hardware, but we've used ASUS motherboards everywhere, they run perfectly 24/7, spending our money on quality hardware instead of server hardware we can get way more memory and speed for less money, we trust the system will definately be stable enough. All the computers we build for customers are rock solid and almost never return with failure.
So, should we build a new server that way? Questions? Idea? You're more than welcome!
Thanks for reading!
I would purchase server hardware like a Dell. You get a overall warranty system for usually less price then building your own software.
Memory is limited to what OS you use as well since a 32-bit OS will only see 4 GB at the max. So, to get better speed and more memory I would consider a 64-bit install or running 2 different hardware servers.
Memory is limited to what OS you use as well since a 32-bit OS will only see 4 GB at the max. So, to get better speed and more memory I would consider a 64-bit install or running 2 different hardware servers.
ASKER
A server made by Dell is definately more expensive then a quality desktop, which will probably be good enough for us. We're planning to stick to that idea..
That is not totally true you can get a lower end server from Dell that will be better then the desktop.
What is your price range?
What is your price range?
Also, are you going to use a 64-bit OS? If you aren't then the other 8 GB is for nothing.
The SC and T series of Dell servers are comparable in price to Desktop. I would not consider building your own computer now a days...
http://www.dell.com/content/topics/segtopic.aspx/dell-deals-servers?c=us&cs=04&l=en&s=bsd
http://www.dell.com/us/en/business/rec_server_networksol/fs.aspx?refid=rec_server_networksol&s=bsd&cs=04
http://www.dell.com/content/topics/segtopic.aspx/dell-deals-servers?c=us&cs=04&l=en&s=bsd
http://www.dell.com/us/en/business/rec_server_networksol/fs.aspx?refid=rec_server_networksol&s=bsd&cs=04
Windows 2008 Standard 32 bit OS can only use 4GB of mem...
http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/aa366778(VS.85).aspx
http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/aa366778(VS.85).aspx
ASKER
* We will purchase Win2k8 x64
* Our budget is not really specified
* The minimum amount of RAM is 8-12 GB
* Non of the links to dell systems (We like Fujitsu and Hewlett-Packard more, but I do understand these are more expensive) have more than 4 GB memory
* Non of the systems are faster when using ~6 GB of memory than the Core i7 860 with 12 GB DDR3 + 2 x 250 GB SAS in RAID 0 + 4 x Western Digital 24/7 disks in RAID 5 and 8 GB of DDR3 memory I proposed in my startpost. Yes, I forgot to include the Western Digital 15.000 RPM SAS disks in my start post in the new system, we will be using them.
* Our budget is not really specified
* The minimum amount of RAM is 8-12 GB
* Non of the links to dell systems (We like Fujitsu and Hewlett-Packard more, but I do understand these are more expensive) have more than 4 GB memory
* Non of the systems are faster when using ~6 GB of memory than the Core i7 860 with 12 GB DDR3 + 2 x 250 GB SAS in RAID 0 + 4 x Western Digital 24/7 disks in RAID 5 and 8 GB of DDR3 memory I proposed in my startpost. Yes, I forgot to include the Western Digital 15.000 RPM SAS disks in my start post in the new system, we will be using them.
oh... you have to hit CUSTOMIZE ... to see the enhanced RAM and DISK and RAID and other options to add to the base system to make it comparable...
1-5-2010-3-38-14-PM.png
1-5-2010-3-38-14-PM.png
ASKER
That is why.. I think I should make clear my budget is around $1650,-.
If we want 12 GB, we can't afford a real server, if we want a real server, we can only afford 4 GB RAM which we already have..
Please guys stick to our idea and give your advice making that idea better.
If we want 12 GB, we can't afford a real server, if we want a real server, we can only afford 4 GB RAM which we already have..
Please guys stick to our idea and give your advice making that idea better.
SOLUTION
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ASKER
Thanks for your reply feridun, we'll think about your idea.
But to stick to the topic, server with 4 GB vs quality desktop with 12 GB, how can the server be faster when using ~6-7 GB of memory?
But to stick to the topic, server with 4 GB vs quality desktop with 12 GB, how can the server be faster when using ~6-7 GB of memory?
I agree with Feridun as well, to much on one machine..is the issue
Are you able to haggle for more money as a true server will help the cause
Are you able to haggle for more money as a true server will help the cause
ASKER
I agree with Feridun too, I checked the server and the SQL databases are taking a lot of memory. It's a small business server.
I've never built a databases server, I usually configure SBS servers. Are there any specific requirements we should meet or consider for a database server? Any special rules? What do you recommend and how can we "calculate" what we need, the memory keeps increasing and after 1 week we run out of the 4 GB installed in the current server.
I just modified a few SQL databases so they can not use more than for example 300 MB. How does this affect the database? Will I notice any difference, for example problems?
I've never built a databases server, I usually configure SBS servers. Are there any specific requirements we should meet or consider for a database server? Any special rules? What do you recommend and how can we "calculate" what we need, the memory keeps increasing and after 1 week we run out of the 4 GB installed in the current server.
I just modified a few SQL databases so they can not use more than for example 300 MB. How does this affect the database? Will I notice any difference, for example problems?
ASKER CERTIFIED SOLUTION
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ASKER
Thank you for your latest comment Feridun!
I've decided to add a second server purely for database related software in our network.
The specifications are as following:
Brand: Fujitsu
Processor: Intel Xeon 5504
Memory: 8 GB DDR3
Storage: 2 x 73 GB SAS (OS) and 2 x 146 GB SAS (Storage), both in raid 1
OS: Windows Server 2k8 Std
Now I was wondering what everyones opinion is about that setup, any comments?
I also have another question which is very important to me, which MySQL server should I purchase for Windows Server 2008 Std? It has to be "quite" affordable, the budget I named before doesn't really make any sense, I was wrong.
Thank you!
I've decided to add a second server purely for database related software in our network.
The specifications are as following:
Brand: Fujitsu
Processor: Intel Xeon 5504
Memory: 8 GB DDR3
Storage: 2 x 73 GB SAS (OS) and 2 x 146 GB SAS (Storage), both in raid 1
OS: Windows Server 2k8 Std
Now I was wondering what everyones opinion is about that setup, any comments?
I also have another question which is very important to me, which MySQL server should I purchase for Windows Server 2008 Std? It has to be "quite" affordable, the budget I named before doesn't really make any sense, I was wrong.
Thank you!
SOLUTION
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ASKER
I made a typo! I ment Microsoft SQL!
Anyway I have made my decisions and you are definately the most helpfull person, thanks & have fun with the points!
Anyway I have made my decisions and you are definately the most helpfull person, thanks & have fun with the points!
ASKER
It helped me a lot
ASKER