Collected my new toy - PE2850

Well Splattered · 7 May 2009 at 17:04

Ok, so managed to purchase the old server from work when they replaced it! I collected it today and finally have had my first decent look at it.

Its missing its Embedded Remote Administrator (ERA) Card, the floppy disk and the DAT72 drive. Presume these have been transfered too the new server.

Its came with 2 sticks of DDR2 512mb. One Xeon of unknown speed and three Fujitsu SCSI Ultra320 147gb 10k drives.

It also came with a COA for Server 2003 std 4cli 1-4cpu stuck to the case, but no DVD.

Suggestions for cheap upgrades or how to even get started to configure? Making no illusions, I am totally out of my depth with configuring a games server.

Well Splattered · 7 May 2009 at 22:45

Thanks for the replies, some real food for thought. Looking at the well known auction site for a training guide on MS Server 2003. I am going to stick with an enviroment I am familiar with until I know the bare basics!

akakjs, ear plugs are a good suggestion, this thing really whines! I will search for an ISO, many thanks for the pointers

I could borrow one from work, but they are generally unopened spares with COA still attached so they may be a bit funny letting me off the premises with a copy.

Those who suggested memory, this will be the first upgrade! Is it worth upgrading the stick of memory (256mb) in the RAID perc 4 controller thingymajig!!?

I would also like to populate the second cpu socket, but need to confirm the speed of the current one.

Its not going to be ran in the house, I wish to co-locate it. Quotes so far have been silly. e.g. "For 2u of co-location space, the costs would be; �75.00 set-up�80.00 per month incl. 1Mb bandwidth (300Gb data transfer per month)"

I am good friends with a part owner of a games server company, I am trying to scrounge some space in one of the racks he part owns! Wish me luck!

Having to google ESXi, the front cover was missing sadly, but I know we have a spare in another branch that I could have.

Thinking of steam games tbh, DOD source and TF2, maybe some hidden. It all depends on the bandwith!!

Iaind, what interesting stuff have i not thought about? I can only think of maybe a website, but I already have a domain name and webspace purchased until end of 2010.

Well Splattered · 12 May 2009 at 23:14

Thats good information, thanks guys.

Axer, Its a 2.8 cpu installed so its one of the lower spec Xeons. Im feeling a bit flattened by £150 a month! Is that the usual price Axer? Do I really need a UPS in line for the power? there should be nothing critical running.

Thats a lot of dosh in comparison to renting a server. Maybe the way forward is to sell the server on

Well Splattered · 12 May 2009 at 23:25

Very worthy of consideration.

I will look at the options. Thanks again all, for giving me good info.

/back away quickly from the commitment of spending lots of money!