[Lula] MB/CPU for web/DB server recommendations wanted

[Peter Benjamin]

Hi Matti,

Thanks for the feedback.  I've added comments to those who
might be interested in business logic I had not originally
posted.

At 01:32 PM 8/28/2006, you wrote:
>MB - server quality MB will cost, 

I would like it under $200, as I do not need massive
file serving, I just need very fast (thus the RAM),
for lowest packet latency, thus the high FSB.

File serving MBs are optimized for hard drive due
to not enough RAM or files that are rarely accessed.
I do not feel I need that level of cost.

>if you want to add lots of RAM that
>is what you will need.

Agreed.

>Most of friends like the ASUS/Tyan Brands.

Most all my home office machines have been ASUS/Tyan for 10 years now.

>I like the 1gig idea onsite.. it doesnt cost much
>more for the NIC, and allows a quicker backup to 
>another system onsite if needed.
>(granted the switch do cost more, but I'm
>thinking about times you will use a cross over cable.. )

Likely a second colo machine, a database server will
be added, with VPN to web server (per credit card rules).
So, three NICs are likely wanted on the web server,
but I can live with two.  One NIC would be admin only.

>(say, you bring another system there when you visit
>there once or twice to backup/load data.. it will
>pay for itself in a couple of trips if not one trip.)

USB 2 External HD with 300 gig is the planned method.
Fast enough.

>> SATA is expected vs SCSI.
>
>larger HD, this is where you want to go cheap SATA
>if you are price concerned.

I was SCSI based from SCSI I to III (ultra wide)
and have a cable collection I ought to get rid of
along with all the external removable media devices.

>granted few SATA drives are considered enterprise
>datacenter quality,.. but if you use mirroring
>that shouldn't be too much of a problem.

Mirroring was thought of.  It would mean a fourth drive,
which makes it tight (It's an old 2U).  The plan was to
put all web roots on drive 3.  All temp files stuff on
drive 2 (email mostly/only) so there is 400+ gig for
huge inboxes and attachments (one client needs 3-5
attachments of up to 170 meg or more), and the OS
and web log files on drive 1, the boot drive.

I'd like 5 HDs to move the log files off the boot drive.
Might put the log files on the email drive.  The database
would likely be on the boot drive as well.  It will support
the shopping cart read/writes, and does not grow that fast.

Mirroring for web services is not idea for these reasons:
1) If one HD fails, then okay, it's good.  But more likely is:
2) Data corruption, and it would be present on both drives, so
mirroring does not gain anything.  Stripping would, but I have
so much RAM...

>scsi drives should perform better typically
>and in theory should be more reliable.

I've had 2 IDEs fail, to one SCSI in 16 years.

SCSI is $50 more per drive.  And $50 more for onboard MB support.
That would be another $200, better spent on RAM, imo.

>serial scsi is also coming out.. so want to watch
>for that in the future..

Upgrading is not at issue.  The machine would be replaced in 4-5 years.

Speed of HD is not at issue, due to excessive RAM.

Reliability is an issue, so I will go with big brand name IDE,
something with a 1 year track record, not just released.

>> I'll be comparing total price with Dell and HP offerings.
>
>it's hard to beat Dell on their specials.

On their rack cases I might disagree.  Their desktops I agree.

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