One answer only... SuperMicro.
One of the few OEMs that has consistent availabilty of specific model
Mainboards.
Alot of work goes into making distros specific to a chipset, its nice to
know it can still be gotten two years later.
We use 2U cases for everything now. Its helpful to have the three card slots
if more Ethernet ports are needed.
What models to buy depends on the need of your servers.
For Mail servers we buy the faster hardware money can buy, just because its
the most painful to nmigrate to new ahrdware down the road.
If doing Linux, we doublecheck that teh NICs and Raid controllers are
supported by the OS tools. They are not on all models.
(For example does Ethtool and Mii-tool manage the NICs adequately? Does the
System reboot properly with the specific HDD controller driver? Does the
Raid Controller work?) For Windows, just about any of the mainboards work.
The big consideration is how redundant HDD will be accomplished. Whether
you use hardware or software. Many of the SATA Promise embedded controllers
are to limiting to be useful to use, but SATA may be the right price for the
HDDs. Will you need an added Controller card?
Also avoid Rackmount appliances (Dell) that do not have options for Floppy,
CD, and/or External Ports (no controllers embedded on board). Some of them
have to have OS installed by booting off a USB key, a big pain in the neck,
when systems are down needing quick repair.
Tom DeReggi
RapidDSL & Wireless, Inc
IntAirNet- Fixed Wireless Broadband
----- Original Message -----
From: "Dave Brenton" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: "WISPA General List" <wireless@wispa.org>
Sent: Wednesday, August 29, 2007 5:35 PM
Subject: [WISPA] DIY Server Questions
Hi Gang!
I'm finally, at long last building my Network Operations Center
and would love to hear recommendations from the brave
souls out there that build their own hardware.
I'm looking for recommendations for motherboards,
rack-mount case vendors, Rack vendors, etc.
I must admit I have a bias against Intel-based systems,
but would defer to experience supporting an Intel platform.
I will in every instance be running on flavor or another of Linux
for all my OS needs, should that have a bearing on the response.
My previous experience favors ASUS motherboards, and
good name-brand memory devices. I have lost faith in most
of the Disc Drive makers, however Shugart's 5 year warranty
is tempting me in their direction.
Any thoughts, comments, etc are welcomed.
If appropriate, you may contact me of list.
Dave Brenton
General Manager
Rural Tennessee Wireless Broadband, LLC
3430 Highway 49
Dover TN 37058
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
931.232.0914 (office)
931.827.4181 (home)
931.627.1142 (cell - when not in cell-hell)
Livin' on Central Stupid Time ('til October)
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** FREE Exhibits and Events Pass available until August 31 **
** Use Customer Code WSEMF7 when you register online at
http://www.ispcon.com/register.php **
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