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System for server 2003
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| examan777 2004-05-12, 3:10 am |
| I'm on a limited budget and want to purchase a system for installing server 2003.
Here's what I have in mind:
pent 1-1.5 GHZ
RAM 256-512
Your oppinions would help.
thanks,
examan777 | |
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| Depending on where you live, you may have places that specialize in used computers, specifically, those liquidated by companies as they upgrade to new equipment. They'll have servers that would work for you. I'd highly recommend an actual server, because you'll probably want to enable multiple processors, RAID, tape backups, etc. You can do all that stuff with workstation equipment, but if you're really wanting to build a server, you should go all out, and build a server, not just a server O/S on a workstation.
I'm partial to Compaq/HP equipment myself, but opinions vary. You can find a good Compaq server on eBay for pretty cheap. I just bought two Compaq 1850s for about $150 each, including shipping, so you can find deals if you look around. Granted, these were only 550MHz machines, but they were dual-processor (installed). If you really want 1-1.5GHz, the price is quite a bit higher, but you still should be able to get one for around $500 if you're patient.
I can't talk for other manufacturers, but if you want to find Compaq/HP equipment on eBay, just do a search for "Proliant", which is the server series. You'll find all kinds, from the 1U DL360 (a "u" is height measurement for rack-mounted servers, about three inches if I rememeber correctly) to a monster 14u 6000 or 7000 series. You'll also find various capabilities, such as hot-plug drive support, multiprocessor support (2, 4, or 8), various RAID level support, etc.
Personally, I wouldn't buy anything that wasn't at LEAST dual-processor capable, and you should really look for one that already has dual-processors installed, since you'll tend to pay quite a bit for the second processor later. I also wouldn't buy anything that wasn't at least a PIII, but if you're wanting 1GHz or higher, then that's a given for you. Any proliant will be able to take at least 1GB of RAM, which is plenty for SOHO server, unless you plan on running a lot of Web/database applications on it, then you may need to pay attention to maximum memory support specs.
As for RAID cards or Hard Drive space... I wouldn't worry too much about that, although compare what you're getting for the price. Depending on what kind of drive the server takes, hard drives can be had CHEAP on eBay (cheap, as in less than $50 for an 18.2GB Ultra SCSI3 drive... Earlier types of SCSI (Ultra SCSI2, Ultra Wide SCSI3, Wide-Ultra SCSI3, etc... They do get confusing.) or 9.1GB drives are even cheaper. Now, if you want 144GB Ultra SCSI320 drives, they're gonna cost you, but you don't need that for a SOHO server. Just buy an external storage unit (if your server doesn't have a lot of storage space), and buy 12 or so 18.2GB drives, and put them in a RAID-5 configuration for 200GB of storage. Obviously, your storage requirement will play into the cost. At any rate, all models of RAID cards are fairly cheap on eBay as well. Just do some research on the manufacturer's site to see which RAID cards will work for you.
Another advantage that the Compaq/HP servers have is RIB (Remote Insight Board) support, which essentially lets you remote control the server as if you were sitting in front of it. Depending on the model, this could even include resetting the computer and/or turning it off or on. The best part is, this is a HARDWARE device, so is not dependent on the operating system. You can't remotely watch a server run through all of its self tests as it boots using Citrix or Terminal Services, but you can with a RIB. Other manufacturers have similar products. The Compaq/HP RIBs are built-in to newer machines but on older machines, you'll have to buy the RIB card separately. These RIBs are also fairly cheap on eBay. | |
| examan777 2004-05-12, 3:40 pm |
| Hey JT3, Thanks for putting it all in perspective. Yah when you think about it I'm gonna have to aquire a REAL server with all the hardware thats conclusive to both MCSE and the real world.
I used to work on the Compaq Proliant models 800 and 2500 series. Hot swappable scsi drives tape backup etc.
Im in the San Francisco area and I'm sure there's tons of liquidated/refurbished Server's, especially in the South bay/Silicon Valley area.
Like the server 2003 exam won't cover multiple processors, RAID, tape backups?
Silly me.
examan777 | |
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| Although you didn't say, I kinda got the impression from your post that this is just a lab machine for the purpose of test-prep. If that is the case, you may want to consider another alternative:
Take the $ and drop it into your primry machine, max out the ram at least and then use either M$ Virtual PC or VMware. The advantage of this approach is that with a minimal HW investment, you can install mutipile Virtual Machines with different OS's and thus create an enire Virtual Network, I had two 2k3 servers and 3 xp boxes on my laptop! Also, once you have the machine profiles created, you can burn them to CD and when (not if) you hose your virtual machine or virtual network, you can easily restore them to your earlier config.
This is what I have used to get through 70-270,70-290,70-291 and 70-293, tommorrow I will write 70-294!
Just a thought!
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| That's a pretty good suggestion, actually. I've thought about doing that myself. Between those two new servers, I could have quite a few virtual servers and workstations.
I've never used Virtual PC, but I've been hearing lots of good things about it. I'll definitely have to check it out.
So... I agree that if you're only wanting a lab to get you through the tests, and don't plan to keep a home network afterwards, then Virtual PC is probably the way to go. If, however, you plan on keeping some kind of presence afterward, then you should probably still get a real server. You can use it to host your Virtual PCs, and convert it to a real server afterwards. You CAN have your cake and eat it too! | |
| Townsend 2004-05-26, 9:00 am |
| Thanks for the ideas. Will any version of Virtual PC allow you to load Server 2003 or does it have to be a certain version to accept the server OS? | |
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| Virtual PC will work with any Windows OS. | |
| Townsend 2004-05-27, 4:39 pm |
| Thanks Vader! I'm ordering a copy of Virtual PC today. | |
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| Deja-vue 2004-08-07, 3:10 am |
| My 2 cents:
I run Windows 2003 Server Enterprise Edition on a Athlon XP 2000, 2 gigs of Ram, OS on Raid, dual 30 gigs Hard drives, Files on a hot-swap Raid Accusys ( dual 300 gigs).
The entire package is stuffed into a huge Server-case from Inwin (Q2000) with hot-swap dual Power-supplies.
The Box cost me about a year and a half ago less than $1500.00 to build and it's been running since.(7 days a week, 365 days a year).A couple of restarts only due to OS-updates.It is running AD, DC, FTP, GPO's, you name it. A number of about 50 People ( mostly Friends) from around the World, mostly Europe, are dialing into it on a regular base. That Box runs absolutely fantastic...my Point?
You don't have to shell out the big bucks to build a really nice, stable Server.
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