Looking to buy a rack server - not sure on spec

h2009

h2009

h2009

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6 Jan 2008
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316
Hi there,
Im looking to buy a rack mounted server to be collocated in the docklands.
I'm thinking about going with dell but unsure which type of system to buy.

Basically I'd like some advice on which type of cpu to go with i.e. AMD or intel.

The work the server will be doing is VOIP routing, Im looking to be able to maintain about 500 concurrent calls.
Also i would like to host my webpage on the server too.

For the voip software this is what most companies recommend:
On average 1000 concurrent calls on a dual Xeon server with 2GB.

I dont plan to have more than 300 concurrent calls for awhile, so i need to tone down the spec a bit.


Also the second part is my budget i dont want to be spending more than £1000 inc vat (less OS). Also I need to keep the monthly costs of the colocation to a minimal so that means 1U format & lowest AMPs usage as possible (0.5 amps ideal)

Thanks for your help.
 
Intel is pretty much king for now when it comes to CPUs, though AMD don't lag behind as much as they do in the desktop market.

As for servers, there's no real advice to give which isn't a little contentious, I swear by HP and would never touch Dell after some of the 'support' I've got from them in the past. But there will doubtless be people along to sing Dell's praises.

If you've got some experience of Dell support and were happy with it, then you probably won't buy cheaper than Dell from a mainstream manufacturer. I'd say they're cheap for a reason though.

For alternatives I'd look at HP, IBM and Sun, they're the big names I'd trust...
 
I would also swear by HP kit, and we use a lot of it!

If a single Quad-Core and SATA disks were acceptable then i'd look at the DL160 1U range of servers. I know that there is a 2Ghz QC, 2Gb RAM with 2x 160Gb SATA disks for about £700.
 
Deathwish said:
I would also swear by HP kit, and we use a lot of it!

If a single Quad-Core and SATA disks were acceptable then i'd look at the DL160 1U range of servers. I know that there is a 2Ghz QC, 2Gb RAM with 2x 160Gb SATA disks for about £700.
Click to expand...

There was a very decent offer on DL360 G5s a few weeks ago, Quad core 2Ghz / 2GB base for £750 - obviously you'd be adding hard drives to that but that would still come in under £1k. Dunno if the offer is still running though...
 
Would you guys recommend them over Dell's kits?
The only reason as to why i am considering Dell is because of the easy of configuration. The HP webpage doesnt seem to allow you to change much :(
 
What "VOIP" software will this server be running? Is it going to be a SIP proxy server running Asterix or Cisco's implementation for example?

Realy is crucial when determining where the money needs to be spent in regards to memory, storage and processing power required.

h2009 said:
Would you guys recommend them over Dell's kits?
The only reason as to why i am considering Dell is because of the easy of configuration. The HP webpage doesnt seem to allow you to change much :(
Click to expand...

Which aspect do you strugle with? Im sorry i cant see what you mean by that, are you using the enterprise configurator?
 
The software will be something like voipswitch.com.
Its runs on a windows environment, so i think i'll be using 2008.
Just looking on the hp webpage - i cant seem to find a configuration tool, only the premade units.
I'll have a search a bit later again.
 
h2009 said:
The software will be something like voipswitch.com.
Its runs on a windows environment, so i think i'll be using 2008.
Just looking on the hp webpage - i cant seem to find a configuration tool, only the premade units.
I'll have a search a bit later again.
Click to expand...

It's a fair comment, I just email our supplier saying I want a server with this spec and I get a price back 15 mintues later...less easy if you're a small business though.
 
h2009 said:
The software will be something like voipswitch.com.
Its runs on a windows environment, so i think i'll be using 2008.
Just looking on the hp webpage - i cant seem to find a configuration tool, only the premade units.
I'll have a search a bit later again.
Click to expand...


Firstly:

HP Enterprise Configurator

http://h20506.www2.hp.com/configurator/

Secondly:

Have you tried contacting voipswitch for recommendations for hardware based on approximate load, i would imagine they have done testing in there own labs and may even have a HCL.

Thirdly:

Personally i would use Windows 2003 Sp2, i dont fully trust Windows 2008, although from scratch it comes with Sp1 installed which baffles me slightly, Windows 2003 is a more proven OS and just as upto the job as 2008 specially if your only running a single app on the server.
 
Thanks for your replies. I appreciate your help.

I'll have a look at the HP site configure - thanks for linking it for me.

Voipswitch have given the spec, but say this: On average 1000 concurrent calls on a dual Xeon server with 2GB. This was tested out to be 1500 concurrent calls before it started to reject calls.

I've seen on the bay (not sure if there any good) HP ProLiant DL140 1U Dual Xeon 2 x 3.06Ghz 4GB RAM - £180. They dont have any HDD (only sata connections). But do you think they are worth it for that amount of cash? I dont expect the concurrent calls to more than 300 for awhile at which point i could buy a new server.
Or would i just be best to buy a new one and be done with it, after all its only £700 or so, and new is always better.
 
Curiosityx said:
Personally i would use Windows 2003 Sp2, i dont fully trust Windows 2008, although from scratch it comes with Sp1 installed which baffles me slightly, Windows 2003 is a more proven OS and just as upto the job as 2008 specially if your only running a single app on the server.
Click to expand...

Thats good advice, I'd go for 2003 64bit or 2003 Enterprise over 2008 for now, it's tempting to get the latest but it's worth checking what your software supplier thinks about 2008, how many are using it in production with their software etc...
 
h2009 said:
I've seen on the bay (not sure if there any good) HP ProLiant DL140 1U Dual Xeon 2 x 3.06Ghz 4GB RAM - £180. They dont have any HDD (only sata connections).
Click to expand...

Don't buy the DL140s they are a PITA. They are little more than a glorified workstation (and thats being generous). If you want iLO its a limited version, NIC teaming is stupidly hard (HP can't supply you with a working driver) and they don't support the smartstart CDs. Buy a DL360, even the older Gens of them are going to be better than the DL140.
 
bigredshark said:
Thats good advice, I'd go for 2003 64bit or 2003 Enterprise over 2008 for now, it's tempting to get the latest but it's worth checking what your software supplier thinks about 2008, how many are using it in production with their software etc...
Click to expand...

I'd avoid 64bit unless you have a need for more than 4GB of ram and can confirm that the software vendor supports it, same with Enterprise (for 4GB+) as it costs about 3x per license. One other thing you might want to do is also confirm how the OS needs to be licensed as its external facing.
 
h2009 said:
Thanks for your replies. I appreciate your help.

I'll have a look at the HP site configure - thanks for linking it for me.

Voipswitch have given the spec, but say this: On average 1000 concurrent calls on a dual Xeon server with 2GB. This was tested out to be 1500 concurrent calls before it started to reject calls.

I've seen on the bay (not sure if there any good) HP ProLiant DL140 1U Dual Xeon 2 x 3.06Ghz 4GB RAM - £180. They dont have any HDD (only sata connections). But do you think they are worth it for that amount of cash? I dont expect the concurrent calls to more than 300 for awhile at which point i could buy a new server.
Or would i just be best to buy a new one and be done with it, after all its only £700 or so, and new is always better.
Click to expand...

That gives you something to working off, i would go for a DL360 G5, better spec specfically the storage controller, spec 2 x 72Gb 10,000rpm SAS and 2 x 146Gb 10,000rpm, along with 2-4gb of memory and 2 x dual core 2.66Ghz Intel Processors.

Dont know the software but i assume that you can load balance between servers otherwise you may want to spend the money now and upgrade to a DL380 for added capacity.

It all realy comes down to how critical this service will be for your customers, you can get away will minimal downtime when it comes to data but outages with voice are noticed immediately and can have a more severe impact on a business.


1 x 416564-001 HP DL360G5 5150 2G Performance US Svr
2 x 375861-B21 HP 72GB 10k 2.5 SAS HP SP HDD
2 x 431958-B21 HP 146GB 10k 2.5 SAS HP SP HDD
1 x 264007-B21 HP Slim 8X/24X DVD-ROM Drive
 
Curiosityx said:
That gives you something to working off, i would go for a DL360 G5, better spec specfically the storage controller, spec 2 x 72Gb 10,000rpm SAS and 2 x 146Gb 10,000rpm, along with 2-4gb of memory and 2 x dual core 2.66Ghz Intel Processors.

Dont know the software but i assume that you can load balance between servers otherwise you may want to spend the money now and upgrade to a DL380 for added capacity.

It all realy comes down to how critical this service will be for your customers, you can get away will minimal downtime when it comes to data but outages with voice are noticed immediately and can have a more severe impact on a business.


1 x 416564-001 HP DL360G5 5150 2G Performance US Svr
2 x 375861-B21 HP 72GB 10k 2.5 SAS HP SP HDD
2 x 431958-B21 HP 146GB 10k 2.5 SAS HP SP HDD
1 x 264007-B21 HP Slim 8X/24X DVD-ROM Drive
Click to expand...


How does this sound for £800 (new) DL360 G4p
2 x Intel Xeon 3.6GHz - 2MB L2 Cache - 800MHz
2GB (2x1GB) DDR2 400MHz
2 x 72.8GB - U320 - 15K SCSI
2 x 460W Redundant Hot-Plug

With regards to the software, its can load balance and split the functions off into cluster nodes. But you are right Voice downtime will damage the business. Upgrading shouldn't be problem since we can 'switch' the servers between new and old on a flick of a button, thus having zero downtime.

Windows licenses are not need for this software piece, which is good news. And its works across 2008/2003 64x / 32x

My ideal situation would be to expand the needs of server as and when needed. The last thing i want to be doing right now is spending a load of cash on a business that may not even generate profit due to the tight margins.

The problem with VOIP at the moment is people are scared by it - if only they saw how much it could really save them. The big telcom companies hide costs so well, its not until you really read the small print that you see you paying out more than you really think. Just comes down to the of the day people like to believe what they see.
 
I prefer to build my own to be honest, grab a Supermicro chassis + board and then add all the other bits. Can work out cheaper than prebuilt systems.

Howcome you are going in the Docklands? The prices are ridiculous now.
 
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