Date: Thu, 25 Jan 2001 12:36:26 -0500 From: Dennis <dennis@etinc.com> To: Tom Samplonius <tom@sdf.com> Cc: Tom ONeil <tom.oneil@tacni.com>, Free <freebsd-isp@FreeBSD.ORG> Subject: Re: 2U server choice - experience/suggestions? Message-ID: <5.0.0.25.0.20010125122331.036a8760@mail.etinc.com> In-Reply-To: <Pine.BSF.4.05.10101241542580.2868-100000@misery.sdf.com> References: <5.0.0.25.0.20010124111802.03c0d620@mail.etinc.com>
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At 06:53 PM 01/24/2001, Tom Samplonius wrote: >On Wed, 24 Jan 2001, Dennis wrote: > > > > If you don't mind a 3U format, try the IBM eServer x340. I don't think > > >you will find anything that can beat it: redundant power supplies, up to > > >two CPUs, 133mhz FSB, 64bit PCI, three hotswap SCSI bays and three more > > >can be added, and redundant and hotswap fans. The fans are particularly > > >nice. The x340 doesn't use CPU fans, but an air-flow tunnel over the > > >CPUs, which a full-size hostswap fan at each end (push, pull arragement). > > >If one of these fans fails, the other speeds up, with no software > > >intervention required. > > > > > > Of course, IBM ServeRAID cards aren't supported by FreeBSD, so I use a > > >Mylex AccelRAID 352 in it. IBM owns Myles now, so IBM has no problem with > > >this. The hotswap bays support SAF-TE, so rebuilding of failed drives is > > >automatic too. > > > > > > 3u is kind of a waste, as with a 4U you generally dont need a riser so you > > get maximum functionality for a little extra space (including 64bit > > functionality). > > > > in making a choice, its good policy to stay away from proprietary layouts > > (the intels servers for example, and compaq) because you are locked into > > specific MBs at least. There are plenty of generic solutions around that > > take regular MBs which offer you the maximum flexibility. > > > > Whats good to use today may not be true tomorrow, so you need to keep your > > options open in an environment like freebsd. > > > > DB > > Well, you can use regular cards in a 3U card without a riser. And 64bit >cards too. > > Propietary layouts offer more features. For instance, IBM include light >guide diagnostics on their motherboards. No else offers that. Besides, >the motherboard is part of the package. You can't buy a generic chassis, >and a generic motherboard, and get anything as tightly integrated as IBM >eServer x340. If you are willing to sacrifice flexibility and can be assured that all of these wonderful "features" are fully functional under FreeBSD..... I always avoid MBs that are "part of the package". Getting locked into a MB these days is not a good thing. > For instance, if a CPU fan dies on your generic motherboard, the best >you can hope for is for the CPU to clock down. And you will have to power >the server down to replace the CPU fan. But with a integrated >motherboard/chassis combo like the x340, no problem. There is no clock >down required, and all fans are hot-pluggable. All good, but not worth the price. You'll be upgrading before your components wear out. Being down for a few minutes every 6 months is not the end of the world. And if you do routine maintenance like you should (ie replace fans every few months, etc) you wont have that problem and you will save tens of thousands a year. Infrequent downtime is part of the internet experience, take advantage of it for your own financial gain. Even if you are up 100% of the time, your upstream will be down now and then...there is no 100% in todays world. Your customers blame you when your upstream is down or uunet is flapping anyway. there are good reasons (sometimes) to pay a lot more. If you are spending other peoples money, then you have a good case. Its easy to say A is better than B. But if you are spending your own, its a different ballgame. You make small trade-offs and buy yourself a nice gift at the end of the year with the savings. :-) Dennis ------------------------------------------------------------ Go GIANTS. (Ravens Suck) To Unsubscribe: send mail to majordomo@FreeBSD.org with "unsubscribe freebsd-isp" in the body of the message
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