Rack Servers,

[shadow_warez]

okay i need some help here guys im in the market for a Dedicated Server that i can upgrade a bit, and has a Rack Design

Toshiba Magnia SG20 Wireless Mobility Server
Full-featured wireless networking!
Not much larger than a Toshiba notebook, the Magnia SG20 Wireless Mobility Server is small enough to fit into a briefcase, powerful enough to connect your entire office or home and light enough to take anywhere. This powerful, reliable and compact network server provides integrated wireless capability and a built-in 7-port switch to bring you the efficiency, wireless connectivity and data security of a wireless network for your remote office, business, school or home — and at a cost-effective price. It comes complete with a firewall, file/print sharing, Internet and printer gateway, Web caching, content filtering, backup capabilities, e-mail services and remote administration and offers simple, automatic, Web-based setup and network configuration.
A Portable Wireless Server. The Magnia SG20 provides a secure, firewall-protected network for e-mail, information sharing and Internet access, so you can take your office with you anywhere.

Facilitates smooth, fast and easy setups and demos for presentations or trade shows
Manages on-site access from multiple PCs to customer, pricing and ordering information
Enables authorized users to connect to data — wired or wirelessly — via PCs or PDAs
A Standalone Wireless Network. For a small business, branch office or remote office, it provides shared Internet access to everyone at the same time via broadband or the Magnia SG20’s built-in modem.
Easy-to-use Virtual Private Networking (VPN) provides secure remote access for authorized users
Centralized storage and secure backup of critical data
Remote management for IT administrators
Built-in firewall protects against Internet intrusion
A Low-Cost, Entry-Level Solution. The Magnia SG20 provides an ideal platform for Linux® software application developers to deploy a value-added, turnkey solution – a complete “network in a box”.
Easily integrate and develop industry-specific applications
Comprehensive engineering support for system integrators
A Mobile Solution for Classrooms. Using the Magnia SG20, teachers and instructors can store class information, lessons and more in one convenient, secure location for easy and efficient classroom technology management.
Mobile computer lab that can be moved from classroom to classroom
Great for all levels of learning — from K-12 education to corporate training
A No-Cable Network for Home Use. With the Magnia SG20, everyone in your household can share one printer, backup important files easily and access the same information — whether from a desktop PC, notebook or Mac®.
Built-in Digital Central™ applications manage digital pictures/videos and MP3 music files, home automation and home video security
Optional system Health Monitoring Service (HMS) allows the Magnia SG20 to stay up and running
The Magnia SG20 Wireless Media Center is easy to maintain and use, even for networking beginners
Features:

566MHz Intel® Celeron® processor
128MB PC100 ECC SDRAM
One EIDE controller
20GB 4200 RPM hard drive
Ethernet WAN Port (10/100 auto-sensing) and 56K modem for connecting to your Internet service provider
One-year limited manufacturer’s warranty
Operating system based on Red Hat Version 7.0
Note: 11Mbps Wireless PC Card (sold separately) required for wireless connectivity.




Product Description:
Toshiba Magnia SG20 - web server


Device Type:
Web server


Enclosure Type:
External


Dimensions (WxDxH):
13.4 in x 10.6 in x 2.7 in


Weight:
11 lbs


Processor:
1 x Intel Celeron 566 MHz


RAM Installed ( Max ):
128 MB ( 512 MB )


Hard Drive:
20 GB x 1 - IDE/ATA


Ports Qty:
8


Data Link Protocol:
Ethernet, Fast Ethernet


Remote Management Protocol:
SNMP


Communication Mode:
Half-duplex, full-duplex


Protocols & Specifications:
ITU V.90


Features:
Uplink, firewall protection, 128-bit encryption, auto-sensing per device, DHCP support, NAT support, manageable


Power:
AC 100/240 V ( 50/60 Hz )


Manufacturer Warranty:
1 year warranty

[Dehcbad25]

did you get what you were looking for??

[shadow_warez]

i was hoping some Server Gurus could look this over and tell me what they think, becasue i really like the idea of a Rack Server, and making it Host my WEbsite, Run Ftp servers and a nice http Server,

[SupaStar]

Don't know much bout rack servers...anyone else?

[phishhead]

got me. whats a rack server;)

[Dehcbad25]

OK, I live 9 hours around servers, and looking at HOW OLD they are, and waste more time online dreaming about the servers out there.
It is a nice idea, the first one that I saw in that category. IT is cheap for the idea, but I don't think it is what you want.
This one is in order to take it with you, like a laptop version for a server (without keyboard, mouse and video of course).
I think you would be better in other solutions since they provide more performance.
Look at the HDD, I bet it is a notebook HDD.
The one you posted rounds up for 1400$
IT is OK for the small form factor, if that is what you need.
If you can afford more space, and are not going to be moving around, there are better solutions out there

[Dehcbad25]

I looked for another alternatives.
Look at this (http://www.penguincomputing.com/store/relion-105.php) You have 400 left to upgrade to update to a 1.26 PIII with 512 KB Cash, 256 MB RAM (1 stick, so have room to upgrade to 512) and 120 GB 7200 rpm.
It might not have the more fancy features that Toshiba has, but reality check, it is Linux, OPEN SOURCE!!!!;)
I do recomend with all this servers (including ToSHIBA) strong backups of important data. Remember you are dealing with EIDE, not SCSI.
If you want a real server, and strong one, build it yourself. We did that in my previous job, with only 7000 $ we got an impresive configuration, I am talking a TB in raid 1+0 configuration (8 250 GB drives), redundant power supply, DUAL Athlon MP 2200 +.
IF you like, I can look for server components to put it together yourself. Though in this case, be prepared to reserve quite some place for the server..

PS: The smaller the form factor the more $ you have to pay. This goes more in server components

[shadow_warez]

well i like the portable Idea, and its goin to be hostin a ftp,http, servers, like doin some web hosting, this i liked because of the size(Rack Size) and the specs are a bit slow, but im sure it can be upgraded a lil,but if you can find something thatsi na Rack Size youd be Godly lol, i want somethign i can mod hehe im thinking of find a amd Soltion so ican throw a Volcano 11 on it lol, and some Passive Ram HEat Spreaders,

[Dehcbad25]

The Toshiba one I don't think is very upgradable. And the cost of the HDD is great if you upgrade. Maybe you will be able to add RAM and that is about it. If you want to mod it, I wouldn't recomend it because you are paing for a top brand and its support, which you will automatically VOID.
Rack doesn't mean the size, but rather the layout, making them possible to mount in racks for easy access. If you don't have racks, don't get them because you will have to have them laying around somewhere, and in some cases this will cut ventilations. Some Rack servers have ventilations below and above, requiring space, rangin from 1 U to 2 U and even 4 U.
PowerEdge server for example need 2Us between server because of cooling. Though they don't nevesarily need the rack, since the come rack/tower version (pretty neat design alowing either config)
U??? What is that you are talking Dehcabd25?? ;)
A U is the space between a point of connection to the next in the rack. Most racks have a standar layout, which means that they have he same with and hight between similar connectors, this is usually every 3 pins of holes. You will notice that in a rack, the holes in the side (to screw and support the server or trays) don't have all the same space, but it is more like a set (of 3 usually) that set makes a U
Blade servers are usually 1 or 2 U maximun. Bigger servers are 4 U. Netservers from HP and similar cant take up to 8 U and are VERY HEAVY. FYI PowerEdge 4600 are 6 U and they require 2 people to lift it ( or a very strong one, which I am not, hummm.. well still you want 2 people, if you drop it toguth sh%$^ since they are quite expensive).
So Rack servers doesn't mean at all small. Actaully the rack were designed because these servers are quite big, so with the arms you can easily work on the server to do maintenance.
I cannot imagine myself doing maintenance in the Netservers LH 3000 r unmounted :msncrazy: It would take me forever :p
I did a search in price watch and look for more servers. You will find there much cheaper solutions. They will come in tower server format, like 10 bays or more desktop style. IF you want to mod it, that will make more sense. Since it is for personal use (OK, WEB and FTP) you might want to consider this., IT is expandable, giving you room to grow, and in the long and short run it will be cheaper.
An already made server (like the Toshiba) will give you a lot for the buck, if you really need mobility of the server (but then it won't be that useful as FTP and WEB) and for more cluster style networks. Why?? Well, for sure it will be alerady configure to do all this, and it will have lots of tools to help you out.
If you are a good Linux user, you can configure your tools yourself thougt. There is a lof available out there. Freshmeat.com has a lot of in development tools, but doing some search online you can find finished products too.
OK, RESUMEN (in short)
1)IF you are a Linux's poweruser, or brave enought configure and install your OS, if not get it already installed and configured, and then learn to use it. This will also save you time to be up and runing.
2) If you want support, you can look in the Toshiba solution, Dell, (HP is too expensive) Compaq Pro Liant, Acer Altos, IBM x(number), but you will find them expensive, so you will probably go to the low-end of their solution. And honestely, looking at the numbers, I don't think they could provide a better server solution than my own PC (I can sell you mine, without support :p )
3) if size matters then the Toshiba is the nicest solution because it is portable. The rest would be rack mountable 1U making them flat, but large (like a tray) so they are not portable, and unless you are getting a rack, and are thinking into getting a bunch of these, I don't see the point.
4) Size is not the problem. Why care if it is your basement and not the datacenter??:p then go for TOWER SERVER based. IT will be cheaper in many ways. Because you can easily upgrade, and you are not tied to specific products or size (Try fitting a 200 GB in the Toshiba :p ) and they will also have the cheapest configuration and most availability.

My final recomendation would be pricewatch.com, look for a server in tower format solution, don't care the brand, but care about the brand components (you want it to be stable), use EIDE RAID 5 at least, because your drives will FAIL. but don't get into expensive drives. 40 GB would be fine, because in 3 years when all of them fail, you will replace your server, or all the drives with 200 GB (which will be very cheap then) Chose drives very available, thought I doubt you iwll find them in 2 years, but if you had RAID, at least when one drive dies, you can buy a new set again (better, faster) and take a backup ( to a stand alone drive maybe), and rebuild your system. At this time you might have even a better machine laying around to server a paralel server, or similar hardware even :p
Take in consideration than desktop components advance faster than server ones, and desktops compoents are dirt cheap.
This project is to take with a friend, because it will take a lot of your time, mostly if your server goes down, but if you don't need 24/7 stricly is a good project.
IT all depends mainly what you are looking for, and how serious you are. The more serious, the more $$ you have to invert, and servers are not cheap

[shadow_warez]

their site dont work i get a blue sreen wit a few words, but i found another place, heres what iv come up with so far,

http://www.angelfire.com/super2/shadowsigs/images/web_server.jpg

[SupaStar]

There's a bit of info for ya there shadow ;) :p

[shadow_warez]

i just built a new one with a Tower Case saved about $142 and im Pretty Sure Duel 2800+ Athalon MPs will really kick some Azz in Dedicated Gaming,FTP,HTTP,Web Hosting, what do you think of thie server iv Thrown Togther ?

[Dehcbad25]

that looks like a more suitable server.
I see that you went for the rack style. review (http://www.evercase.com/products/e9400.htm)
Dual MP 2800 will rock.
One recomendation, the HDD you want is 7200 rpm if possible, and 8 MB cash if you have web server, since it will access a lot the cash. This will help you having more I/Os per second, therefore, more request. That HDD makes good choice ;)
You have a total 4 GB registered only DDR there, 2 slots for 64 bit/66 Mhz PCI cards and USB 2.0 Review for mobo (http://www.vr-zone.com/reviews/MSI/K7D/)
What about a RAID card?? and 2 more drives to go to RAID 5???
AS I said, I don't know how much importance you are giving to the data on that server, but at least 5 will give you some stripping and secure point.
Do you have the rack to mount it too??
Consider the weight it is 17.5 Kgs according to the spec sheet

[shadow_warez]

ill post that pic, it wasl iek $142 less, and FG is sending Serial ata adpaters,

http://www.angelfire.com/super2/shadowsigs/images/web_server.jpg

new Specs, raid 5 would be nice but for now i wouldnt mind gettin this system from this then work on gettin a Raid Setup,

[Dehcbad25]

Well, it is going to be a good set up, and that case will give you enought room to grow. I have a similar one but Chieftec. Nice case. I like the removable hard drive trays.
What OS you are going to use??

[shadow_warez]

i was thinking of .Net Enterprisec since igot a Free Copy from MS at Their World Wide Launch of it, Linux i can Throw in thier with Connectix Virtual Machine Software,

[Dehcbad25]

SO?? Are you getting all the stuff? Did you order it? DO you have it in home already?? :D (I am a bit impatient)

Well, OK, I am going to wait ;) Just let us know how it turns out. I think it is a fun project

[shadow_warez]

im waiting on those guys to contact me lol, as soon as they do, ill send em Q's bout all the shipping charges, and us conversion, and all the tweaks id like done and tested,

[cash_site]

Soo... looks like shadow will be setting up the new TZ MOHAA server LOL

Congrats if you buy the server hardware. Lets us know how it goes.

[shadow_warez]

once i get the hardware ill be calling the server gurus, and getting it steup nicely, ill be tweaking and cleaning it, it will be outa the way and will have serious Fans blowing air, rounded cables, il have it sooo tweaked lol since im a Tweak monster, and ill be recruiting Remote Admins to help with maintingin the server since im working 14 hours a day its goi nto be hard, so on days off ill set it up tweak it, call my ccable company increase my bandwith and let em know what im doing so they dont go snooping, cuz im sure my upcomming server is better then twhat they have for thier web hosting lol,

[phishhead]

then we'll have 3 mohaa servers that no one will never play on.:(

[Dehcbad25]

Phis: HEHE 3 servers?? Who has the other server?? We should set up days. For example, Friday we play MOTO GP2, Saturday MOHAA, Sunday Whatever, then we will use the 3 servers :D
The problem that I see with MOHAA, is that I cannot get it to list, so only thru gameSpy is listed and not many use gameSpy, so the server is empty most of the time unless we coordinate before going in. This creates emptiness in the server, and nobody likes to play catch with themselves :p .
Other problem is that it doesn't have bots, so with them at least it wouldn't be so boring to play in large maps. I like that feature of UT, so even if you are the only one, you have someone to sharpen your skill with (or something)
Shadow ... since im working 14 hours a day ...
14 hours??? Where do you work?? Man, and I complain that I work 9 or 10 hours sometimes (but I still get paid 8) :p

[shadow_warez]

i started up with a Steel Foundry a few weeks ago, met a Chick thier lol so things are goin, lol ill be busy with alot of thungs thats why when i hear from these guys ill be able see why the damge will be, and ill have to get a list of games your all willin to play then go out buy em, and find server verons of them if possable,

[Dehcbad25]

I can do the setup for you. I charge pretty low because I am still practicing ;)
I will also give you the TZ discount. You just have to pay for my flight, give me a place to sleep, and food. I have to warm you though, I eat a lot, and I love to drink beer. I prefer to drink beer with pretty women best :D

[shadow_warez]

lol well those kinda girls extras, lol, but ill set up remote zaccounts so youd not have to fly, and gedt Jet Lag,

[Dehcbad25]

Ohh Man, I love going to new places. Plus I am collecting stamps into my passports. I already have 22, and I will get 4 more at the end of July ;)

[shadow_warez]

well im waitn on word from them if they dont give me any notice by monday ill get the specs and go some were else,

[Dehcbad25]

Did you receive the stuff yet??
I came back to the post to get some suggestions, and since there a lot of people subscribed to this post I will added it here ;)
I need to get some quoting for an Exchange server. We are planning in upgrading our current Exchange server. We will need 100 users minimum licence.
I will be talking with Dell, but I wanted to present a couple of alternative answers too.
What do you think makes good hardware for hosting such a server?
We want something reliable.
Also if you have suggestions for mail server applications I will check them out too.
Price is of concern too, so lets avoid passing the 10000$ :p

[shadow_warez]

you'll need fast hard drives Raid or serial ata if you want it to work go like snot, hehe, and ddr 400 mem 512 will be plenty for a standalone exhange server, mail servers would only need load balacing nics to recive and send out mail at a decent pace, that way theirs duel lanes for traffic to flow, i helped setup the collage i went to with proper hardware, and software to maintain 50 campus's and my suggestions has helped thier tech departments work at least 200% more effecient thiers no lag between the campus;s and their new hardwares warrentys are longer and more suited then wit cheapo ata 33 hard drives lol, but if your getting into using the exhange server for 100 users, try make a few fault tolerance servers, ones that will keep the exchange servers running 24/7, trust me the heat the server i built put out made my instructor nervios lol, so i threw in volcano 11's and a few 120's their loud but thier outa the class room 3 floors beneath the collage, lol so alls good, but if i knew the exact specs you needed for the types of job the comps will be doimng then i can hel,p yha more =)

im still waiting, lol so im calling a uncle in the comp biz, who runs a store, and im goin to get a quate,

[Dehcbad25]

Shadow, just try to speak a little more NORMAL please. I had to read the post 3 times:p LOL
OK, so lets put up some specs
What about this
4 SCSI 19GB 10K rpm in RAID 5. I chose SCSI because email is vital for the company, so we will need the reliability of it. Out current server probably has 6 years since it is a PII 450Mhz dual CPU
DDR 400, that will be difficult to find unless I build the server. I want to prepare a quote with a built system, but it will be mainly to compare, since it will never get approved.
What else shoud be in the specs??

[shadow_warez]

well you should see if the motherboard supports DDR 400,wake on lan, has onboard raid, not fast trtack it really sucks azz, you should also check out the scsis cache if you go scsi get one that has 8 mb cache it'll help big time wit i/o intensive apps, or requests, it wouldnt have to be emptied every few secs it could keep all the vitals in cache, and id look for a decent powe supply that have over voltage pertection or at least a power regulator, built in thier pricy,but worth every penny when it comes to servers,

[Dehcbad25]

Shadow, since you already did some shooping around, could you send me seller's info???
I am looking to build a backup server, using ATA RAID 1+0 or 10.
It has to back up all the Domain at work, so I need something reliable.
I posted in this threath instead of creating a new one, because we had pretty much a lot of info here, so it is faster ;)

[Dehcbad25]

Here are my first thoughts for it. I need some recomendations abotu brands/models since I am a bit out of the loop lately in hardware.
Rack mountable is a Plus, since we have Racks here, but it could be tower style
A minimun of 4 HDD, since it is going to be RAID 1+0/10
Hard Drives of about 100GB, 8MB Cache, and at least ATA/133. Are there SATA RAID Cards??
The card brand will be very important. We NEED something reliable.
The HDD need to be reliable too, thought we know EIDE it is not the most, but there are better models than others. SO please, some suggestions.
RAM, Well, I would go minimum 512 MB, but I will prefer 1GB.
Mobo Suggestions??
Dual CPU, the CPU type depends on the mobo, thought probably AMD is cheaper.
I have to stay in 2500$, thought I could push up to 3000$ I guess
I will accept also suggestions on Backup Software

[Dehcbad25]

Hello????? Shadow?? Anybody there reading these post??????:p

[shadow_warez]

havent been online much, but i got a place that'll hook ya up thier good wit me lol if ya want more details send me a pm ill give ya ghier # and what not =)