Server Configuration

Abhas

Retired Administrator
Joined
Aug 6, 2004
Location
New Delhi, India
Hi, We want to set up a server, which would handle our Accounting and Inventory. (Maintain a centralized database, which would enable online invoicing and real-time updation of data).

This is the server I've zeroed in on : http://h10010.www1.hp.com/wwpc/in/en/sm/WF06/15351-15351-241434-241477-241477-3884315-3918532.html


Processor, operating system and memory
Processor type = Intel? Xeon? Processor E5520
Processor speed = 2.26 GHz
Number of processors = 1 processor
Processor upgrade = Upgradeable to 2 processors (4 or 8 cores)
Processor core available = Quad
Processor front side bus = 1066 MHz Front Side Bus
Standard memory = 6 GB (3 x 2 GB) Standard Memory
Internal cache = 8 MB (1 x 8 MB) Level 3 cache
Memory = DDR3 Registered (RDIMM)
Memory slots = 18 DIMM slots
Maximum memory = 192 GB (12 x 16 GB) for Registered Memory configurations

Internal drives
Internal drives = No hard disk drive in standard configuration
Hard disk drive speed = Not applicable
Storage controller = HP Smart Array P410i/256MB Controller
Flexible disk drive = None included standard (not supported)
Internal drive bays = 8 x 2.5" (SFF) Hot-Plug SAS/SATA hard drive bays; 8 x 2.5" (SFF) Hot-Plug SAS/SATA hard drive bays
Optical drives = HP Half-Height SATA DVD-ROM Optical Drive

System features
Form factor = 5U Tower
Chipset = Intel? 5520 Chipset
Network interface = Embedded NC326i PCI Express Dual Port Gigabit Server Adapter
External I/O ports = Serial - 1; Pointing Device (Mouse) - 1; Graphics - 1; Keyboard - 1; Network RJ-45 - 3 (1 dedicated for ProLiant Onboard Administrator); USB 2.0 Ports - 6 (2 front, 2 rear, 2 internal)
Expansion slots = Six total expansion slots; One PCI-Express x16 Gen2 (x8 speed); One PCI-Express x8 Gen2 (x8 speed); Four PCI-Express x8 Gen2 (x4 speed); Optional PCI-X Expander provides additional two 64-bit/100-MHz PCI-X slots by using a single PCI Express slot
Power supply type = (1) 750 Watt Hot-Plug (Redundancy enabled) power supply
Power requirements = 100 to 240 VAC, 50 to 60 Hz
Compatible operating systems = Microsoft? Windows? Server; Microsoft? Windows? Server Hyper-V; Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL); SUSE Linux Enterprise Server (SLES); NetWare; VMware; HP Citrix Essentials for XenServer
Product dimensions (W x D x H) = 21.8 x 59.6 x 46.7 cm
Product weight = 24.5 kg
Compliance industry standards = ACPI V2.0 Compliant; PCI-Express Gen2; PXE Support; WOL Support; PCI-X 1.0a Compliant; Novell Certified; Microsoft? Logo certifications; USB 2.0; SMBIOS 2.6.1
Security management = Power-on password; Setup password; Serial interface control; Disk configuration lock; Power switch security
Serviceability = Tool-free chassis entry and component access; Tool-free motherboard removal
Warranty = 3 year Parts, 3 year Labor, 3-year on-site support
Manageability features = HP Systems Insight Manager; SmartStart; Redundant ROM; System Firmware Update; ROMPaq; ProLiant RBSU (ROM-Based Setup Utility); Automatic Server Recovery-2 (ASR-2); Dynamic Sector Repairing (with Smart Array Controller); Drive Parameter Tracking (with Smart Array Controller); Pre-Failure Warranty (covers processors, memory, and SAS hard drives)



Notice, This configuration does not have any hard drive.
A 146 GB (10000 rpm) SAS HDD costs Rs. 13000. I would need 2 of these to be used in a RAID configuration (Mirrored).
Apart from this, I'll need atleast another disk of 300 GB (costs around Rs 30000)
The Total cost of these is around Rs. 57000 (US$1250)

SATA Disks offer a maximum of 7,200 rpm, and I can choose to install either of the two, SAS or SATA. (SAS offers speeds of 10000 or 15000)
SATA on the other hand is much cheaper.

I was thinking of installing a pair of SATA Solid State Disks, which should cost approx $600 for 160 GB, so for 2, it'll be $1200.
Now, the thing that's confusing me is, though the speed would definitely be much faster than a 10000 rpm SAS disk and it would give out less heat.
I'm unsure about the drive's reliability, and whether SATA can be used in Raid configurations.

The total cost of the server, including a redundant power supply, and hard drives is around $4800.
 
Last edited:

Abhas

Retired Administrator
Joined
Aug 6, 2004
Location
New Delhi, India
Yes, Even I read that the drives can be mix-matched, but I talked to the sales partner, and they say it's not possible. Even the HP call-center guy said you'll have to choose either of the two.

Research time. :(
 

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