Advice on new Server Hardware
I have a hardware dilemma so I am turning to the sharpest group of tech people I know.
I am purchasing a new 2U server. This server will be running VMWare 5.0 esx for the OS, and the main VM running under that will be a windows server 2008 with a SQL database for Prolaw software. (Other VMs may be added later.) We will be running 4 constellation 3TB drives in a raid 10 configuration. 128 GB RAM and dual processors. I am leaning towards Dell brand servers.
I am satisfied with most of my specification decisions but I would like some input on the items below. I am looking at 2 processor / ram configurations and I am very torn between them. Some of this indecision is because I haven't kept up on the higher end technology so I am not sure which would suit our system best. Here we go.
1st config:
Processor = AMD Opteron 4284, 3.0Ghz, 8 core, 8MB L2 / 8MB L3 cache
RAM = (8x16) 1066Mhz, Quad Ranked, RDIMMs (Low Volt), AECC (?)
2nd config:
Processor = Intel Xeon E5-2630 2.3Ghz, 15MB cache, 7.2 GT/s QPI, Turbo, 6Core, 95W
Ram = (8x16) 1600Mhz, Dual Rank, x4, RDIMMs (Std Volt)
I like the extra bang for the buck that I get from AMD, and VMWare says that both processors run equally well with their OS.
I like the extra cores & Mhz with the AMD, I like the 1600 Mhz RAM with the Intel.
I don't know what the Dual and Quad ranking means to the RAM performance.
I don't know the GT/s rating for the AMD.
I don't really care about the power usage (Low Volt vs. Std Volt) unless it is a factor in performance or longevity.
The AMD says that is supports 1600 Mhz RAM, I'm assuming that they are not in the AMD quote because of motherboard / other limitations (I have that question submitted to Dell and I am awaiting an answer).
My Question is:
Which or these configurations would you recommend given the information above, and why.
Also, if anybody can briefly explain what Dual and Quad ranking means to the system (performance? Longevity? stability?) that would be very helpful.
Thanks in advance!
I am purchasing a new 2U server. This server will be running VMWare 5.0 esx for the OS, and the main VM running under that will be a windows server 2008 with a SQL database for Prolaw software. (Other VMs may be added later.) We will be running 4 constellation 3TB drives in a raid 10 configuration. 128 GB RAM and dual processors. I am leaning towards Dell brand servers.
I am satisfied with most of my specification decisions but I would like some input on the items below. I am looking at 2 processor / ram configurations and I am very torn between them. Some of this indecision is because I haven't kept up on the higher end technology so I am not sure which would suit our system best. Here we go.
1st config:
Processor = AMD Opteron 4284, 3.0Ghz, 8 core, 8MB L2 / 8MB L3 cache
RAM = (8x16) 1066Mhz, Quad Ranked, RDIMMs (Low Volt), AECC (?)
2nd config:
Processor = Intel Xeon E5-2630 2.3Ghz, 15MB cache, 7.2 GT/s QPI, Turbo, 6Core, 95W
Ram = (8x16) 1600Mhz, Dual Rank, x4, RDIMMs (Std Volt)
I like the extra bang for the buck that I get from AMD, and VMWare says that both processors run equally well with their OS.
I like the extra cores & Mhz with the AMD, I like the 1600 Mhz RAM with the Intel.
I don't know what the Dual and Quad ranking means to the RAM performance.
I don't know the GT/s rating for the AMD.
I don't really care about the power usage (Low Volt vs. Std Volt) unless it is a factor in performance or longevity.
The AMD says that is supports 1600 Mhz RAM, I'm assuming that they are not in the AMD quote because of motherboard / other limitations (I have that question submitted to Dell and I am awaiting an answer).
My Question is:
Which or these configurations would you recommend given the information above, and why.
Also, if anybody can briefly explain what Dual and Quad ranking means to the system (performance? Longevity? stability?) that would be very helpful.
Thanks in advance!
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ASKER
Hanccocka, i don't understand your statement about migration.
Are you talking about the hard drives, Quad rank ram or processors?
We are using esx 4 now but our contract gives us a free upgrade to 5.0.
I have been checking out the vram licensing. I guess the upgrade will force us to use vcenter server to manage the vram licenses. One of our esx servers is a backup server off site with all our VMs backed up to it. Vram licensing put's a crimp in our backup plan. :-(
I guess if our office burns down, we can use the "burned-down" licenses on the backup server to get all the VMs running.
Are you talking about the hard drives, Quad rank ram or processors?
We are using esx 4 now but our contract gives us a free upgrade to 5.0.
I have been checking out the vram licensing. I guess the upgrade will force us to use vcenter server to manage the vram licenses. One of our esx servers is a backup server off site with all our VMs backed up to it. Vram licensing put's a crimp in our backup plan. :-(
I guess if our office burns down, we can use the "burned-down" licenses on the backup server to get all the VMs running.
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ASKER
I was referring to workstations that I have worked with, not servers. I have not had enough experience with servers to rate them accurately . That's why I'm posting here.
ASKER
I asked about the disk speed also, the answer I got was that whatever technology and speed they are using, they still rated at 6Gb/s transfer. What could I say?
Our current disks are 15K rpm with 3Gb/s - Although I pretty sure the controller is limiting that.
Our current disks are 15K rpm with 3Gb/s - Although I pretty sure the controller is limiting that.
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ASKER
This is how the line displays on the written quote:
3TB 7.2K RPM Near-Line SAS 6Gbps 3.5in Hot-plug Hard Drive (342-2336)
Maybe I will call Seagate and get their take. ;-)
At $600 a pop, I want to get the right thing. Problem is that there are not many choices right now because of the flood. :-(
3TB 7.2K RPM Near-Line SAS 6Gbps 3.5in Hot-plug Hard Drive (342-2336)
Maybe I will call Seagate and get their take. ;-)
At $600 a pop, I want to get the right thing. Problem is that there are not many choices right now because of the flood. :-(
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ASKER
I was told that they were not available, at least in Seagate. I'm a little skiddish about WD.
Maybe that is unfounded. (I did have some bad experiences in the past w/ WD.)
Maybe that is unfounded. (I did have some bad experiences in the past w/ WD.)
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ASKER
Thank you all. I have a lot more to think about now.
I hope it's OK, I just divided points evenly for all responses. It was all good information for me.
I hope it's OK, I just divided points evenly for all responses. It was all good information for me.
You don't get to pick with HP, I've even had mix of Seagate and WD shipped for a single order and put them in the same array. You can always use a few more 10Ks or 7.2Ks in the array to compensate of course; 4 * 15K disks would be about the same speed as 12 * 7.2K ones. That would give you too much capacity if you used 3TB disks by the looks of it and take up a lot of room, but that's why they have lower capacity small form factor ones, don't see many 3.5" disks any more except for backup-to-disk units.
ASKER
So will the 1066Mhz -Quad rank out preform 1600Mhx -Dual Rank RAM?
I doubt we will ever use clusters. We are just a small shop - only our 3rd VM server.
I think I mis-spoke about the drives, the Dell quotes were 3TB SAS and not Constellation. The other quotes were 6Gb/s SATA.