🚀 go-pugleaf

In message <7hhmv2l0h4ap03obi9lld6ik79dkm3664k@4ax.com>, Anthony R. Gold
<not-for-mail@ahjg.co.uk> writes
>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.
>
There are several reasons why SCSI is still dominant in the server
market but it does cost more for the same amount of storage as a SATA
solution. No opinion on SATA as a server technology yet but I'll let
others prove it before I dip my toe in. You need to be thinking about
backup, if you intend to attach a tape drive you're going to need an
external device and the relevant controller card.

 SAS seems to be making quite a bit of headway though in the budget end
of things.

>http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=150100260351
Looks fine to me but you'd need to be able to verify that the warranty
is valid and can be registered. Might be worth looking for a machine
from HP themselves as they can be surprisingly cheap.

>
>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.
Make sure it has XP on its list of supported operating systems, you can
and do find 'odd' problems with lots of real servers when you run
desktop OSs on them.
> 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?
>
Yes. Run a server on your desk and listen for the difference, the
cooling on a properly designed server is much better than a desktop
machine but it's also louder. The build quality on a proper server's
components will be better than a bubble gum desktop as well, including
the major manufacturers
>Thanks for any advice.
>
>Tony

-- 
Clint Sharp