[sllug-members]: Hosting Box

[Doran L. Barton]

Adam Barrett wrote:
> I know this is off topic, please forgive me, but I think you are the
> right audience for this:
> 
> I am looking to start a small hosting project, I am really unsure as to
> what is the best machine to run the duties.
> 
> Here is a link to what I have a spec on.

I think the CPU is probably overkill. You can probably get by with a Athlon
64 3000 - 3400 and that will save you $300 or so.

Unless you need hotswap ability, I recommend using the onboard SATA
controller (on the motherboard) and do software RAID. That will save you
another few hundred dollars.

I would actually get a different motherboard. ASUS has a nice Socket-939
server board - the K8N-LR. This board has server-class features (like 2
PCI-X slots and 2 gigabit NICs) desktop boards don't have. As a server
board, it does require ECC registered RAM. You usually don't want to deal
with memory errors on a server anyway, right?

Rack space is a premium, so you want a case that is small on the rack units.
XMission's monthly charges are based on bandwidth usage, power usage, and
rack space used. Going with a 2U instead of a 4U can save you $50/mo or
more. I like the Chenbro RM217. It's a 2U case w/ 6 drive sleds. You can add
a SATA or SCSI backplane. If you really need 5 hard drives, this is the way
to go because, unfortunately, you won't be able to go 1U.

I can go on and on, probably.

-- 
Doran L. Barton <fozz at xmission.com> - Linux, Perl, Web, good fun, and more!
 "We will oil your sewing machine and adjust tension in your home for
  $1.00"
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