Spec Check for a Server

Avathar77 · 19 Feb 2013 at 13:05

Hi
Going to get a new server which will be mainly used as a file server for an office with 20 users & /or devices.
Email and calender tasks are handled by Outlook and Google Sync(so exchange is not hosted)

I don't think I can name the brand and model as they would be competitors :eek:

Anyway here is the config

Intel Xeon E5-2420 1.90GHz(2.4GHz Turbo) 6 Core HT, 15M Cache
3.5" Chassis with up to 8 Hot Plug Hard Drives
32GB RDIMM, 1600 MHz, Standard Volt, Dual Rank (8 x 4)
4x 600GB, SAS 6Gbps, 3.5-in, 15K RPM Hard Drive (Hot-plug)(RAID 1/1)
PERC H710 Adapter RAID Controller, 512MB NV Cache
PERC Cable for 3.5in 8HD Hot Plug Chassis
Dual, Hot-plug, Redundant Power Supply (1+1), 750W
iDRAC7 Express
DVD+/-RW, SATA, INTERNAL
On Board Broadcom 5720 Network Adapter(Dual Gigabit Port)

Running Server 2012 Essentials

Comes to little over 3K with support.
Expecting to use for over 3 years.

How does it look?

Avathar77 · 19 Feb 2013 at 15:58

#Chri5# said:
You can post the make and model, so which Dell PowerEdge is it?

Get the full license for the iDRAC so you have KVM over IP for emergency use.

It is a Dell PowerEdge T320

blueboy2001 said:
Looks fine. If it's only a file server do you need a 6 core CPU? A quad would be more than adequate.

I'd probably put an Intel network card in it, but that's just force of habit - I don't know what the onboard Broadcom stuff is like.

How are you going to back it up?

It is going to run IRIS Payroll, IRIS Practice Management & Sage.
So I thought 6 core and HT would help.
We have a 2TB NAS at the moment which is running the every day and monthly backups.

Avathar77 · 19 Feb 2013 at 15:59

francky said:
Not sure Dell would be considered a competitor? As they are a manufacturer

You know that server essentials only supports up to 25 people? So will they not be looking to get more than 5 more employees over the next 3 years?

We only have 13 Users at the moment but going to get 4 more in this year.

EDIT: also have 2 x Scanner/copiers that uses a user account for sending scans to folders

Avathar77 · 19 Feb 2013 at 17:22

#Chri5# said:
If the budget is there, I'd go with the 6C. The last IRIS install I was involved with used SQL Express (though that's obviously limited to 1 CPU / 1GB RAM) but there's no harm in having extra horsepower.

Oh yes I forgot about SQL Express!

Avathar77 · 28 Feb 2013 at 16:58

Just placed an order for the config in the op but with Server 2012 Standard with 30 User CALs(new requirement) for a tad over £3.5k