On Tue, 2009-10-27 at 00:05 -0700, Donkyhotay wrote: > I had a friend that used a laptop as an Email server for quite a few > years until it eventually broke down (it lasted about 3-4 years). He > liked it because it didn't use as much electicity as a desktop so he > could afford to leave it running. He used it not only for his own Email > but as a mailing list that we and some other friends used to keep in > touch. No clue if it's really relevant to your issue however. > > > Do not be afraid to joust a giant just because some people believe in > windmills.
If you think about it, you don't have to buy a UPS for a laptop which saves you money. Laptops tend to take up less space than desktops, which is good. Unforunately, laptops tend to run hotter than desktops and if the laptop is used for more than 2 years the chances are good that the hard disk in it is going to die soon. Another obvious problem with using laptops as servers is that they probably only support 1 hard drive which roughly translated means no raid. I believe there are different classes of laptops meant for different purposes. There are obnoxiously large laptops that are clearly meant as Desktop replacements and there are tiny Asus Eee PCs that run Linux which are single core and sub 1 Ghz. I like the Asus Eee PC because the Linux version at least has a solid state replacement for the hard drive. Laptops include screens that you technically don't need on a server, so three laptops to serve as three servers means redundant keyboard, screen, touchpad, DVD drive. Do you want a laptop for a server or would a mini ITX form factor computer make more sense? Laptops are so cheap right now starting at around $400 for a new one. By the time you buy three 1000VA+ smart UPS'es, you have spent more than that. The real question is, will a laptop be more reliable than a desktop system outfitted with a UPS? the advantage of normal form factor computers is that it's easier to replace failing parts. Laptops tend to have custom size custom made parts and they aren't typically supported for very long. Typically, you should replace fans as often as once a year. Ideally, a server should be fanless dissipating it's heat via special conversion devices or a special liquid. The liquid needs to be non ionized if the circuitry is to be submerged in it, so tap water is out. The biggest strike against desktop computers is that the power supply is so cheap and the most likely of all the parts to fail. Laptop power supplies are not necessarily much better. I recommend writing a list of the advantages and disadvantages of using a laptop as a server and then augment that list with a list of what you can do to remedy the disadvantages. It will be interesting to see what costs more, using a laptop as a server or a desktop as a server. _______________________________________________ PLUG mailing list PLUG@lists.pdxlinux.org http://lists.pdxlinux.org/mailman/listinfo/plug
