Hi, I am looking to get a Dell poweredge 2900III Quad Core CPU server. My question are broken into 2 categories
Hardware Questions
1. I am looking to buy another CPU and install it in the system. Does the CPU have to be purchased from the manufacturer or can I buy it retail at a cheaper price and install it myself
2. Will I require additional cooling if I install a new CPU or will the system come with adequate cooling for a second CPU
3. Is possible to upgrade the RAM and the hard disk drives which are purchased separately (due to cost) or do they have to be purchased from the manufacturer. I know there are some issues with Dell servers and the RAM they use and not all third-party RAM works? Is this true? What kind of RAM do I need to buy for this particular system
4. Would like to add additional HDD. If the current drive in the server says SATA HDD does this mean any I can purchase any SATA HDD thirdparty and install it in the system. I mean is there anything as a specific server drive or any SATA drive would do?
5. How can I tell if the HDD in the Server is a Hot swap drive or not.
6. Cooling question related to HDD. Do I need to install anything else in order to cool this server or will it come with adequate cooling to install the HDD
Software Questions
1. I would like to run multiple OSes on this server. Hence I intend to virtualize. I have absolutely no experience with any Virtualization hence would like to know which direction I should take. I have been reading a bit on VMware. I would not want to install VMware server or WS because I need a OS to install either. I think ESXi server would be ideal since its free. Any comments or suggestions
2. Does the Dell Poweredge 2900III support Virtualization? How can I tell if it does or does not?
3. Once I get the machine what would I have to do in order to make it compatible for Virtualization (Bios settings or anything in particular)
Thanks for your help.
Hardware Questions
1. I am looking to buy another CPU and install it in the system. Does the CPU have to be purchased from the manufacturer or can I buy it retail at a cheaper price and install it myself
2. Will I require additional cooling if I install a new CPU or will the system come with adequate cooling for a second CPU
3. Is possible to upgrade the RAM and the hard disk drives which are purchased separately (due to cost) or do they have to be purchased from the manufacturer. I know there are some issues with Dell servers and the RAM they use and not all third-party RAM works? Is this true? What kind of RAM do I need to buy for this particular system
4. Would like to add additional HDD. If the current drive in the server says SATA HDD does this mean any I can purchase any SATA HDD thirdparty and install it in the system. I mean is there anything as a specific server drive or any SATA drive would do?
5. How can I tell if the HDD in the Server is a Hot swap drive or not.
6. Cooling question related to HDD. Do I need to install anything else in order to cool this server or will it come with adequate cooling to install the HDD
Software Questions
1. I would like to run multiple OSes on this server. Hence I intend to virtualize. I have absolutely no experience with any Virtualization hence would like to know which direction I should take. I have been reading a bit on VMware. I would not want to install VMware server or WS because I need a OS to install either. I think ESXi server would be ideal since its free. Any comments or suggestions
2. Does the Dell Poweredge 2900III support Virtualization? How can I tell if it does or does not?
3. Once I get the machine what would I have to do in order to make it compatible for Virtualization (Bios settings or anything in particular)
Thanks for your help.