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

Simit · 18 May 2011 at 13:51

I missed the last offer that was on for these badboys, so thought what the hey and bought one this time round.

Now then, my main use for it is testing purposes for present/future Microsoft exams and just general fun.

I'm going install 8GB of RAM and give ESX/ESXI a go (having never used it before mind you) and install the following VMs:

- 2003 (DHCP/DNS)
- 2008 R2 (DC, WDS, file server, print services)
- possibly Exchange
- possibly one Windows 7 client machine

Other than that I'd have a maximum of five or six actual machines connected to the servers using some old PCs I've got laying around the house.

So just to ask, cause the CPU does kind of worry my, would I have any problems running the above set up?

cellpack · 18 May 2011 at 13:56

any recommend reasonably priced memory for these

thanks

tbz_ck · 18 May 2011 at 15:25

Simit said:
I missed the last offer that was on for these badboys, so thought what the hey and bought one this time round.

Now then, my main use for it is testing purposes for present/future Microsoft exams and just general fun.

I'm going install 8GB of RAM and give ESX/ESXI a go (having never used it before mind you) and install the following VMs:

- 2003 (DHCP/DNS)
- 2008 R2 (DC, WDS, file server, print services)
- possibly Exchange
- possibly one Windows 7 client machine

Other than that I'd have a maximum of five or six actual machines connected to the servers using some old PCs I've got laying around the house.

So just to ask, cause the CPU does kind of worry my, would I have any problems running the above set up?

Well I'm running 2 VM's at present and will be adding some more in due course

The CPU is barely ticking over.....

I got 8 GB (2x4gb) of Kingston Value RAM (non ecc) and it works fine

MasterPlan1 · 18 May 2011 at 16:40

Does anyone know if HP Insight Manager can monitor the MicroServers? Seen as though when you install it - it doesn't have any form of Smart Start/PSP's to install, so I go with a base 2k8 disk and let it do it's thing...

Freddie589 · 18 May 2011 at 22:47

Where are you guys buying yours from? But please don't list competitors

PiKe · 19 May 2011 at 13:55

Can you run normal software on Windows Home Server?

tbz_ck · 19 May 2011 at 18:24

PiKe said:
Can you run normal software on Windows Home Server?

Not 100% sure

I don't know if you can run everything on it, but it is Win 2003 beneath the shell and I've installed Spiceworks (network monitoring and helpdesk) on it and that works fine

EDIT:: Just googled and found out thatyou can install anything on WHS that you can install on Windows 2003 small business server (SBS)

PiKe · 19 May 2011 at 21:02

Trying to work out if its worth using WHS, why did they drop drive extender from WHS 2011.

DIABLO · 19 May 2011 at 21:13

PiKe said:
Can you run normal software on Windows Home Server?

WHS is Windows Server 2003 with a few features tacked on, you can still connect a monitor or remote desktop in to get to a standard desktop.

DiCe! · 19 May 2011 at 22:02

I am VERY tempted by this, However I have never even seen a windows server OS, How does it differ from say windows 7?

Could someone trust me where the cash back offer is going down?

And lastly, I would be using this with a htpc and my gaming rig, any advice on how to get it all running or just give it a play about as per normal?

fish · 19 May 2011 at 22:41

windows home server 2011 is very similar to windows 7. Not sure about the previous version. Server 2008 is a little less intuitive to a basic windows user like myself. the cashback offer is from HP. If you are using win 7 on htpc and gaming rig then its a snap with new whs as they use all use the homegroup.

Freddie589 · 19 May 2011 at 23:27

How do I use the cash back offer? I can only find it for £250inc vat direct from HPs website

DIABLO · 19 May 2011 at 23:46

detaiks here http://h41112.www4.hp.com/promo/proliantmicroserver/index.html

Freddie589 · 20 May 2011 at 00:11

DIABLO said:
detaiks here http://h41112.www4.hp.com/promo/proliantmicroserver/index.html

Thanks

cellpack · 20 May 2011 at 08:03

ive put mine together with 4 x 2tb harddrives and installed freenas 8 onto a usb stick, ive set the hds up as raidz1 using zfs but i am having a few issues

if i am transferring files it seems to lock up i get the menu screen saying reboot e.t.c. but i can no longer access the web gui, i can ping the server no problem any ideas??

also i get the same type of issue if i change the volume compression level?

DJMK4 · 20 May 2011 at 08:22

For people who are still looking, search on google for the deal of £221 (or £121) with cashback, this is how much I paid.

tbz_ck · 20 May 2011 at 09:42

DJMK4 said:
For people who are still looking, search on google for the deal of £221 (or £121) with cashback, this is how much I paid.

You can do better than that

£195

I've trust emailed a couple of you some ideas.

To give a clue, there is a place. Think enterprise tower thingies that sit in computer rooms and the + sign together

I don't know how they are a competitor mind since OcUK don't sell that kind of machine..... :confused:

PiKe · 20 May 2011 at 09:52

tbz_ck said:
You can do better than that £195

I've trust emailed a couple of you some ideas.

To give a clue, there is a place. Think enterprise tower thingies that sit in computer rooms and the + sign together

I don't know how they are a competitor mind since OcUK don't sell that kind of machine.....

Your price is ex vat.

tbz_ck · 20 May 2011 at 09:59

PiKe said:
Your price is ex vat.

Ahh pants

didn't notice lol !!

It was late

[RB] · 20 May 2011 at 15:26

Mine has just arrived and is sat on my desk as we speak

Very pleased with the build quality and it certainly looks the part!

Probably going to try Freenas 8 on there to see how it performs and if it's up to the task I'll migrate my stuff from Freenas 7.2.