Good Cheap Server - HP Proliant Microserver 4 BAY - OWNERS THREAD

bremen1874 · 9 Jan 2013 at 16:31

STR = Sustained Transfer Rate.

For an OS drive it's the 4K read/write speed that matters, not the headline peak transfer rate. The 4K speeds won't be impacted by the SATA2 interface.

archy121 · 9 Jan 2013 at 16:51

Thanks for explaining that.

Any thoughts with going with the Transcend combo unit ?

Can someone please confirm if they have a drive successfully booting off 3rd party SATA add in card.

jaket · 9 Jan 2013 at 17:19

steeve42 said:
I can't comment directly as I don't use an SSD, but from what I have seen from others is that the main benefit would be to boot up times, and as it is a server it doesn't get restarted often it isn't really worth it...although it seems from reading here and other forums that quite a few people are using them anyway.

I use an SSD for centos. 30gb split for centos system partitions and 30gb used for zfs cache. I have noticed a huge speed increase since adding the sdd compared with an internal USB stick.

Jeci · 9 Jan 2013 at 18:45

This little chap arrived today:

pdw8 · 10 Jan 2013 at 13:21

I've now got an N40L and have updated the bios, RAM to 8Gb and installed ESXi on a USB stick using the internal port.
I have used that link mentioned to get a license for Windows Server 2012 and downloaded the iso. Im not sure if this is overkill though and i've never really used any software like this. Would i be best to just buy WHS 2011?

enigmo · 10 Jan 2013 at 14:37

pdw8 said:
I have used that link mentioned to get a license for Windows Server 2012 and downloaded the iso. Im not sure if this is overkill though and i've never really used any software like this. Would i be best to just buy WHS 2011?

What link? I currently have Server 2003 on my N36L/8GB, and since it fairly flies I want to try something more beefy.

Tinders · 10 Jan 2013 at 14:51

What link!

pdw8 · 10 Jan 2013 at 14:52

enigmo said:
What link? I currently have Server 2003 on my N36L/8GB, and since it fairly flies I want to try something more beefy.

Microsoft WebsiteSpark, base level membership gives you Server 2012 x64 DVD

edit: not sure where i saw it now, may have been somewhere else but free to join!

enigmo · 10 Jan 2013 at 15:09

Ah, this is like Dreamspark then?

archy121 · 10 Jan 2013 at 15:42

I have it flying on standard 2Gb - Go for it.
It's a real blown OS compared to WHS2011. You can add server roles to it or just use it core which is very light weight.
My boot time is 10sec with SSD.

pdw8 · 10 Jan 2013 at 15:50

archy121 said:
I have it flying on standard 2Gb - Go for it.
It's a real blown OS compared to WHS2011. You can add server roles to it or just use it core which is very light weight.
My boot time is 10sec with SSD.

what size SSD are you using for it?

archy121 · 10 Jan 2013 at 16:22

120GB. Probably require at least 15GB for OS but cant say for sure as i have since added AV, XBMC & other apps.

DJMK4 · 10 Jan 2013 at 18:38

Hi all just a very quick question, on an NL36 8gb ram, iv currently got esxi installed on the first sata drive.

I have just bought a small HP 8gb USB stick from. Asda, am I going to see a big performance increase if I boot/install or what ever esxi on to USB ? And just use the primary sata drive for VMs and secondary etc got data storage?

DIABLO · 10 Jan 2013 at 19:28

archy121 said:
I have it flying on standard 2Gb - Go for it.
It's a real blown OS compared to WHS2011. You can add server roles to it or just use it core which is very light weight.
My boot time is 10sec with SSD.

WHS2011 is Windows Server 2008 R2 with some bits tacked on.

MeMeMeMe · 10 Jan 2013 at 20:39

jaket said:
I use an SSD for centos. 30gb split for centos system partitions and 30gb used for zfs cache. I have noticed a huge speed increase since adding the sdd compared with an internal USB stick.

Wouldn't you notice a huge speed up with a typical mechanical drive over a USB stick too?

enigmo · 11 Jan 2013 at 09:38

DIABLO said:
WHS2011 is Windows Server 2008 R2 with some bits tacked on.

...and other stuff taken away. I say go with your experience and needs: If you're not too clued up on server admin, stick with WHS for home use. If you are (and no, you don't have to know it backwards, just be careful), or want to get your hands dirty give 2008 a go. Beyond that, if all you need is simple administration and easy backups, stick with WHS. If you want to properly play with the guts of a Windows server, go with 2008. I started with 2000 server and never looked back. Moved to 2003, currently have 2008r2, and thanks to the chappy earlier on this thread now have 2012 I'm planning on having a virtual play with before considering to upgrade or not prior to rolling out a home domain

Don't get me wrong; WHS does the job and is a fine product and suits 90% of people out there, but full Server is a good learning opportunity.

archy121 · 11 Jan 2013 at 14:19

Borders on 1080P screen with new AMD Card ?!

I have added a HD6570 card & installed the latest AMD 12.10 drivers but the display on my screen is leaving borders round the edge whatever resolution the graphics card is set to.

The N40L is connected to a 1080P TV via 1080P AV Receiver & this is tested as working fine when connecting my laptop using same HDMI connection.

I'm guessing its some kind of over scan issue but the AMD Vision control center does not bring up any options for FLAT Panels - Maybe because I'm going through AV receiver which i have to to get sound for movie playback etc ?

Anyone know a fix ? Is the card faulty or the particular drivers ?

*EDIT* OS is Windows 2012 Standard

decmatt · 11 Jan 2013 at 14:25

archy121 said:
I have added a HD6570 card & installed the latest AMD 12.10 drivers but the display on my screen is leaving borders round the edge whatever resolution the graphics card is set to.

The N40L is connected to a 1080P TV via 1080P AV Receiver & this is tested as working fine when connecting my laptop using same HDMI connection.

I'm guessing its some kind of over scan issue but the AMD Vision control center does not bring up any options for FLAT Panels - Maybe because I'm going through AV receiver which i have to to get sound for movie playback etc ?

Anyone know a fix ? Is the card faulty or the particular drivers ?

Thanks

OS?

archy121 · 11 Jan 2013 at 14:28

OOPs. Should have pointed that out.

Window Server 2012 Standard

enigmo · 11 Jan 2013 at 14:33

archy121 said:
I have added a HD6570 card & installed the latest AMD 12.10 drivers but the display on my screen is leaving borders round the edge whatever resolution the graphics card is set to.

The N40L is connected to a 1080P TV via 1080P AV Receiver & this is tested as working fine when connecting my laptop using same HDMI connection.

I'm guessing its some kind of over scan issue but the AMD Vision control center does not bring up any options for FLAT Panels - Maybe because I'm going through AV receiver which i have to to get sound for movie playback etc ?

Anyone know a fix ? Is the card faulty or the particular drivers ?

Thanks

I had exactly the same problem with two different ATI cards in my PVR on a large plasma screen so I don't think it's a faulty card. But receiver or not the overscan/underscan options should still be there. The Catalyst control centre is pretty shoddily arranged IMHO, but with some poking around you should find them.