🚀 go-pugleaf

Anthony R. Gold wrote:
> I've never specified a server before and would appreciate some guidance.
> I don't want to inadvertently buy something which turns out to be less
> than a complete computer because some magic cable or power supply or other
> essential component is needed which an experience buyer would know about.
> 
> The application is in the USA and must run Windows.  And I found a unit
> which seems to meet my hardware needs for home or colo'ed use, but I'd
> appreciate any words of warning.  What attracted me about this one was the
> low profile 1U height and the 2x250GB SATA drives.  A lot of small servers
> seem to come with just small SCSCI drives.
> 
> http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=150100260351
> 
> My application does not need a web or FTP server so I'd like to run the
> machine on XP Pro rather than Server 2003 just for cost reasons.  Can
> anyone tell me if the Server product is materially more stable or robust
> or offers any great advantage when the built-in server applications are
> not useful?
> 
We run our own Linux and (few) Windows servers at Redbus.

The Linux servers just run and run.  With the Linux servers there are no
operating system problems that give any long-term troubles.   The
Windows servers give endless operating system disasters.  I think they
run for 3 weeks maximum before having to be re-started for one reason or
another - memory loss/VNC or whatever.

With a good fast Linux based server, VMware is brilliant and fast.  I
would strongly recommend running your Windows system (if you *must* use
that) under a Linux server.

The advantage of this is you can do *everything* (except press physical
 buttons/insert CDs etc on the host machine) under a local VMware
console. It almost like having the machine on your desk.  You can even
see the boot.

You can also set up more virtual machines which would save money if you
ever need extra machines.

We run 6 VMs on one 1U host and have no performance problems. In fact
some VMs run faster as the host is faster!

Tony
-- 
     Tony Firshman
<firstname>@<surname>.co.uk