Re: [cobalt-users] RaQ vs Something Else

["Rodolfo J. Paiz" <rpaiz@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

At 4/19/01 05:09 PM -0400, you wrote:
> My purchase list does not include a redundant power supply nor does it
> include two hard drives.  I believe these two items are optional depending
> on your needs.  I believe the redundant power supply is an overkill and is
> not needed and a better solution would be to set up two separate servers
> into a cluster if you wanted a fail over solution on your servers.  But this
> is in part a preference based on your needs.

Given that redundant power and a second hard drive (plus RAID controller)
only represent about an additional $400, I prefer to keep those options.

> The $800 estimate is based on a good 800 MHZ server which will meet most
> users needs.  If we increase hardware, cpu, and memory the price goes up,
> but in that case we certainly 1) would not be creating a comparable server,
> 2) we certainly would not be making anything even remotely close to the
> hardware of any cobalt on the market today - which is what this Linux server
> is meant in comparison to.
>
>
> $275     1U Rackmount Case with 200W power supply - I use cases that make
> the cobalts look like tin foil, in fact I use these cases to help support
> the cobalts as the cobalts tend to droop in the rack due to the poor quality
> cases (ie the ears bend).

Where do you buy cases?

> There is a reason why I selected the Pentium III instead of the AMD chips.
> My personal preference is the use of an AMD chip, however, in a server there
> is a drawback.  Finding an all in one board which includes built in video,
> sound, and lan is much easier to locate for a Pentium chip.  By using the
> Tyan board you avoid the need of having to purchase a video card, Ethernet,
> sound cards etc.

Same argument as I have. Wish I could get an AMD-compatible board with
integrated video and LAN...

> We do not need to be concerned with the video card

Agreed; I included it since I'm so far using boards that don't have video,
and I need to make sure all components are highly stable.

> As you can see, I have created a good server using name brand parts without
> any cutting back on quality!

Indeed; point taken. :)

> It is simply a matter of planning, knowing
> your parts, and knowing what you need to create a server.

Agreed; same philosophy.

> If you [...] think of the server as a desktop computer requiring a
> monitor, mouse, video cards, sound cards and everything else

I do not, of course. However, in the ever-present reach for better 
security, I manage most of our stuff from the console, via a KVM switch. 
Only one machine accepts SSH from the outside world, and that under 
stringent conditions. I think the KVM is a good investment; your opinion 
may vary, as we seem to have slightly different approaches.


--
Rodolfo J. Paiz
rpaiz@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx