Buliding a server. Suggestions?

[Xtremist]

I'm building a server soon to move to a colocation arrangment. I've outgrown my current "reseller" needs. I also want more control and better reliability of my data. In fact, that's by far the single most important need I have. I won't live near my colocate and I can't have the server going down due to a failed disk. And I REALLY can't lose any data. Oh, and did I mention I don't want to spend a whole lot

Basically, I'd like to build a 1-4U server. I'm currently looking at one of these two cases:

http://www.plinkusa.net/webal4080.htm or;
http://www.plinkusa.net/web4060.htm

Any other suggestions? The reason I'm opting for these cases is due to my redundant hard disk needs. Due to my cost limitations (and how much 4-6 SCSI drives would add to the equation), I feel comfortable going with an IDE RAID. I'm thinking RAID-5 with the Adaptec 2400A RAID controller. The nice thing about this one is it is:

- Hot-swapable and;
- Hot-spare'able'

I'm thinking of getting some 5.25" hot-swap 3.5" hard disk bays to mount inside this case. I'm still debating whether or not to use a 3 disk + 1 spare or just run 4 disk and then manually replace a bad drive. Either way, I'd like the ability to replace the disk and begin rebuilding the drive without interruption to my customer's content.

What I'm wondering about is what other hardware to put in this thing...

I have a few nice Intel bus-mastering 10/100 PCI NIC's and plan on using those unless there's a compelling reason not to. As far as motherboard and CPU's go, I'm really looking at the absolute most stable configuration I can get. Again, stable, not speed. While speed is obviously an important factor, I can always add another server or replace this one at some later date if/when things get slow without upsetting customers. I cannot do the same if my server crashes once a month. It's a matter of customer retention...

So any ideas?

If you have suggestions on the RAID config or my case selection I'd love to hear about it as well! I'd honestly prefer a smaller footprint server (1-2U) however I haven't been able to find any that have even 4 X 3.5" bays let alone the 5.25" bays I'd prefer for my swapping capabilities... If anyone knows of a decent 1-2U case that WILL allow 4 drives (plus CD-ROM), I'd be VERY interested in hearing about it...

Thanks!

 

[rhawk79]

this would be the ultimate server

 

[jose]

Use an Intel chipset. (not VIA)

Use Unix/Linux for the most stable system.

Regards,
Jose

 

[Xtremist]

rhawk79 - The ultimate system when exactly? Regardless, I guess I wanted to solicit suggestions after you read the message body, but thanks anyway.

jose - I was thinking along those lines as well. All my personal systems are AMD-based, all my works ones are Intel-based. I don't know if I prefer one CPU over the other (perhaps AMD), however I have definately had better luck with Intel chipsets (the awesome BX is still my favorite ). Any suggestions on a specific motherboard?

 

[MikeMike]

dual proc server right?

some of the tyan boards for AMD MP's are very stable from what i have heard. as long as built correctly, you will have no problems, and will save ddecent money over a xeon processor.

MIKE

 

[minendo]

Originally posted by: nourdmrolNMT1
the tyan boards for AMD MP's are very stable from what i have heard. as long as built correctly, you will have no problems, and will save ddecent money over a xeon processor.

Stay away from the Tyan S2460. I have run two dual XP systems and the only one to give me problems was the S2460 one. It was running dual XP1700+ and just died on me. However, my ASUS A7M266-D with dual XP1800+ is still going strong.

 

[Xtremist]

I would consider Dual-CPU optional for what I'm doing. My stuff has been running fine on a P3 1GHz single CPU system for some time now and so it's not quite "imperative".

Any Intel-based motherboard suggestions?

 

[DeathByDuke]

I cant believe no one has mentioned Opteron....

 

[MercenaryForHire]

Nice concepts. Much better than I've seen most no0blArs post when building their first server.

The 2400A is an excellent card for the pricepoint, and hot-swappable RAID 5 is fairly bulletproof. Properly configured, a bad drive can be pulled out, a fresh one back in, and the array will rebuild itself in the idle cycles.

Far as the processor ... ever considered something based off a Tualatin core P3?

- M4H

 

[Xtremist]

DeathByDuke - Well, now someone's mentioned it, but not enough to where I can comment about it I try and read about new technologies and I know what Opteron is, but what exactly are you suggesting about it? IE. advantages, weaknesses, possible motherboards, etc...? I don't want to sound unappreciative (spelling?) but additional information other than a product name would be more helpful, thanks.

MercenaryForHire - Thanks. I've built several of my own personal systems and deal with server discussions all day at work (well, not all day, but whenever I can break away from doing crappy web stuff ).

Properly configured, a bad drive can be pulled out, a fresh one back in, and the array will rebuild itself in the idle cycles.

That's exactly what I'm hoping

Far as the processor ... ever considered something based off a Tualatin core P3?

I guess my main problem is I don't "know" which CPU core I should consider basing the system off of What is the max in speed for the P3 in that core (which I'm guessing is the max for a P3 period?).

I'm thinking if I "do" go with a P3, it would probably need to be a dual-CPU system. Of course a sub-2GHz P4 would probably give me less performance anyway Thanks for the comments though... I'll be researching it more tonight hopefully...