> From: James Newton <
jamesnewton
KILLspammassmind.org>
> Subject: [OT] New server comming, Request For Comment
> To: "James Newton" <
.....jamesnewtonKILLspam
.....massmind.org>
> Date: Friday, February 17, 2012, 1:52 PM
> The server is dying, long live the
> server!
>
> SUMMARY: I'm looking for review, and advice from those with
> M$ server
> experience, and am willing to pay a fair amount (e.g. $100)
> for qualified
> professionals who are willing to spend a few minutes looking
> this over and
> offering suggestions. This is (another) big investment, and
> we just can't
> afford to screw it up.
>
> BACKGROUND/SERVER RAID FAIL: So we appear to have a busted
> server due to a
> "punctured stripe" issue on our raid array. Nate said this
> is Dell for "we
> sold you a cheap-assed RAID controller with awful firmware"
> and I'm inclined
> to agree. Google "RAID punctured stripe" if you care to know
> more. If you
> know how to fix that without downing the server and
> reformatting /
> reinstalling, we would pay good money for a solution.
>
> SERVER REPLACEMENT: According to Dell, fixing it would mean
> downing the
> server for many days (at the speed I could rebuild it) so we
> have no choice
> but to purchase a new server. Obviously, it ain't gonna be
> Dell! We've had
> good luck with ASUS, HP, and IBM machines in the past, so
> those are my
> current preferences, but I'm open to other suggestions. I
> hear HP overheats,
> and IBM is way over priced. We love our ASUS laptops and
> workstations. No
> problems.
>
> M$ ONLY: The machine must run SBS 2k8 pro with Exchange 7
> and IIS 7 as that
> is what we have licensed and what I know. Just to be clear:
> NO! *nix is NOT
> an option. Period. Thank you, but no.
>
> Here is the current setup I'm looking at:
>
> ASUS TS500-E6/PS4 Pedestal Server Barebone
> www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?item=N82E16816110045
>
> 2x Intel Xeon E5520 2.26GHz LGA 1366 80W Quad-Core Server
> Processor
> www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?item=N82E16819117185
>
> Patriot Signature 12GB (3 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM Server
> Memory Model
> PS312G13ER3K-E
> www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?item=N82E16820220423
>
> 2x Western Digital VelociRaptor 300GB 3.5" SATA 6.0Gb/s
> Internal Hard Drive
> -Bare Drive
> www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?item=N82E16822136929
>
> Total price just over $2200. ...which is pretty good... but
> still painful.
> ,o)
>
> Concerns:
>
> -- RAID: Concern has been expressed about the RAID system.
> The SATA
> Controller is an IntelR ICH10R with 6 SATA2 300MB/s ports
> and IntelR Matrix
> Storage support for software RAID 0, 1, 10 & 5. I would
> be running RAID 1.
> The current server with less processing power never exceeds
> 20% and averages
> under 10. Any advice?
>
> -- RAM: Concern has also been expressed about the memory.
> The server says it
> supports:
> Total Slots: 6 (3-channel per CPU, 3 DIMM per CPU)
> Capacity: Maximum up to 48GB (RDIMM); Maximum up to 24GB
> (UDIMM)
> Memory Type: DDR3 1066/1333 Reg DIMM/ Unbuffered DIMM with
> ECC
> Memory Size: 1GB 2GB 4GB 8GB (RDIMM); 1GB 2GB 4GB (UDIMM)
>
> The memory is: 240-Pin Dual in-line memory module 2 Rank
> Double-sided module
> 7.8US Refresh Interval (8192 CYCLES/64MS) Auto and self
> refresh capability
> Serial Presence-Detect (SPD) PCB height: 1181(mil) RoHS
> Compliant JEDEC
> Compliant Compatible Server board: Asus Z8NA-D6C Tyan
> S7025AGM2NR Intel
> S5520HC Tyan S7002G2NR-LE Intel S3420GPLC.
>
> Customers have reported success with several ASUS systems
> including the
> TS500 and the RS700. If you can see a problem, please speak
> up.
>
> -- DRIVES: Concern has been expressed about the Western
> Digital drives.
> Apparently they have a reputation for running hot? This
> model appears to be
> made to address those problems: "The 2.5-inch WD
> VelociRaptor is enclosed in
> a backplane-ready 3.5-inch enterprise-class mounting frame
> with a built-in
> heat sink that keeps this powerful little drive extra cool
> when installed in
> high-performance desktop chassis." It's also the only drive
> I could find
> with a 5 year warranty... But I'm very open to switching to
> a different
> drive, but I want an ultra fast drive as the HD's are almost
> always the
> major bottleneck in any system, and more so in a server.
>
> ACTION: Your input is valued and appreciated. Anyone with
> any comment will
> be welcomed. Please pass this on if you know someone who has
> experience with
> this stuff. If you are a server professional, or know one,
> who would like to
> get paid to advise us, please send a link to your online CV
> or Resume.
>
>
> --
> James Newton
>
EraseMEjamesnewtonspam_OUT
TakeThisOuTpiclist.com
> 1-970-462-7764
>
>