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Inexpensive Server to run Hyper-V

I'm a software developer and need to be able to emulate my customer environments and test out new software under different configurations. Also, I provide support for a large ERP system and need to have several versions of that program available for testing and such.

I'm looking for an inexpensive server to run Hyper-V (or full 2008 R2) on my small office LAN. My goal is to run several different VM's on the box to allow me to run these configurations without loading up my workstation. I've got a old desktop running ESXi, and I work with that through vShpere Client. It works okay, but it's waaaay underpowered for the task.

I may also run SQL Server on the box, but that's not a requirement.

I've found a few inexpensive servers like these:

https://www.google.com/shopping/product/7047071822456524999?hl=en&q=computer%20server&sa=X&ei=tXIbUYeJGpOi8gTlmoCoAg&ved=0CNMBEOUNMAE

https://www.google.com/shopping/product/5022151955905127362?hl=en&q=computer%20server&sa=X&ei=tXIbUYeJGpOi8gTlmoCoAg&ved=0CMMBEOUNMAA

But some don't seem compliant with Hyper-V requirements.

Any suggestions? I'd like to stay under $650 if possible. I've got several hard drives I can use (250 gb) but no ram.

Thanks for your time.

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Member_2_231077

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Andrew Hancock (VMware vExpert PRO / EE Fellow/British Beekeeper)

you can also use 16GB in a Proliant MicroServer!

We've have 20+ HP Proliant MicroServers, makes very low power, clusters for development and test.

we just purchased the last for £58+VAT in the UK! (with cashback!)

Member_2_231077

Oh, forgot 8GB udimms were out now, HP haven't added them to the quickspecs.

Andrew Hancock (VMware vExpert PRO / EE Fellow/British Beekeeper)

HP do not officially support them, but the ECC DIMMs work fine.

rather puzzles by HP's lack of support, maybe because the box is a "giveaway"

Scott McDaniel (EE MVE )

ASKER

Thanks to both of you - I had looked on HP's website to determine if the Microserver was compliant with HyperV, but missed it (http://h18004.www1.hp.com/products/servers/windows/index.html). It's on the first line!

hancocka: the specs indicate the microserver maxes out at 8 gb - are you running them with 16 gb?

Here's the spec sheet I found: http://h10010.www1.hp.com/wwpc/us/en/sm/WF06a/15351-15351-4237916-4237918-4237917-4248009.html?dnr=1

we just purchased the last for £58+VAT in the UK! (with cashback!)

Also - where did you find that machine for £58 :)

Andrew Hancock (VMware vExpert PRO / EE Fellow/British Beekeeper)

Yes, we are running with 16GB.

also see here:-

http://www.serversplus.com/servers/server_bundles/658553421-DVDRW

http://www.serversplus.com/servers/server_bundles/658553421-16GB

Scott McDaniel (EE MVE )

ASKER

Hmmm ... I'm US-based, wonder if they'll ship to me. I emailed them to find out. HP is not offering the rebate state-side, it seems ...

Scott C

Look on eBay. Used servers are inexpensive to be had. Just make sure you buy from someone with a good reputation.

Craigslist too. Just make sure you "kick the tires" before you buy.

Andrew Hancock (VMware vExpert PRO / EE Fellow/British Beekeeper)

that's a shame on the rebate, HP have been offering this £100 cashback, for at least 1 year if not 2 years now.

ideal boxes, and really low power, for test and dev.

Member_2_231077

Make sure you buy something that takes DDR3 rather than DDR2 if you buy second hand since old DDR2 is very expensive, also beware of the fan noise some servers make, especially rackmount ones.

Scott McDaniel (EE MVE )

ASKER

Serversplus will ship to the US, but the rebate is not available, and the shipping would be prohibitively expensive.

I've found some pretty good deals on the Microserver. I was a little leery of the 8 gb limit, but now that it's confirmed that 16 gb is recognized I think that's gonna be the one.

I did check Ebay and Craigslist but quite honestly I don't know enough about used server equipment to make a smart choice. With my luck I'd end up buying something that was not suitable for my needs.

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Lee W, MVP

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Scott McDaniel (EE MVE )

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Building is an option. I have a old midsize tower with power supply and dvd, a couple of video cards and hard drives, so all I'd really need is mb+cpu+memory. I was somewhat concerned with Hyper-V compatibility, however, and was leery of spending money unless I could be assured that the hardware was Hyper-V compliant. I'm not sure what the "critical" components are in terms of compliance.

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Scott C

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Andrew Hancock (VMware vExpert PRO / EE Fellow/British Beekeeper)

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Scott McDaniel (EE MVE )

ASKER

I see ... does the motherboard need any sort of "hardware acceleration" features, or anything that would be beneficial (other than lots of available memory slots)?

Andrew Hancock (VMware vExpert PRO / EE Fellow/British Beekeeper)

No, just a supported processor, and memory.

Lee W, MVP

I find Intel is pricier... AMD works just fine and the FX series of processors (especially for a virtualization system - when you can get an 8120 or 8150 (8 Core processors) you have 8 full cores (as opposed to 4-6 plus hyperthreading cores). And again, for testing/development, this should be fine. On one of my AMD based Hyper-V servers I have 10 VMs running with Hyper-V 2012

Scott McDaniel (EE MVE )

ASKER

Is there any difference between "server" hardware and what I'm looking for? That is, what makes the Microserver a "server", and my desktop (with an i7 proc and 32 gb ram) a "desktop"? I realize this is somewhat off topic, and I'll be glad to ask it as a different question if you think that's more appropriate.

Can I assume that a built-up system with a processor as described would perform better than the Microserver, given the same amount of ram and the same hard drive(s)?

Scott C

What make server hardware "server hardware" is that it is much more durable, has more sensors, many processors, more memory, redundancy (multiple power supplies, dual or more nics) etc.

And of course the OS that is installed.

Since you are going for inexpensive for "testing" and not production that is why a "desktop" will server your pourpose as a "server".

Andrew Hancock (VMware vExpert PRO / EE Fellow/British Beekeeper)

support and certification from the vendor for a particular OS

Scott McDaniel (EE MVE )

ASKER

I ended up building my own (which was a bit of a pain) and went with an i5 proc and 8 gb ram. I'll upgrade to 16 when the budget allows.

Installed 2008 R2 Standard (not just the core). Having troubles figuring out exactly how to use the HyperV part, so I'll ask that in another question.

Thanks to all who provided advice.

Scott McDaniel (EE MVE )

ASKER

Excellent comments, and steered me in the right direction!