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Date:      Thu, 25 Jan 2001 11:30:46 +0000
From:      Mikel King <mikel@ocsinternet.com>
To:        Tom Samplonius <tom@sdf.com>
Cc:        Dennis <dennis@etinc.com>, Tom ONeil <tom.oneil@tacni.com>, Free <freebsd-isp@FreeBSD.ORG>
Subject:   Re: 2U server choice - experience/suggestions?
Message-ID:  <3A700E66.DACB1C5F@ocsinternet.com>
References:  <Pine.BSF.4.05.10101241542580.2868-100000@misery.sdf.com>

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The rule of thumb used to be 3 year warranty; now I can not speak for IBM but
compaq has really lowwered the bar, with their new proliants... uh...er well for
lack of a better word suck and they only have a one yr! Anway I know this is OT
a bit but if you still get a 3yr warranty then the IBM is way worth it. I am
curious how much they are running lately?

Cheers,
Mikel


Tom Samplonius wrote:

> On Wed, 24 Jan 2001, Dennis wrote:
>
> > >   If you don't mind a 3U format, try the IBM eServer x340.  I don't think
> > >you will find anything that can beat it:  redundant power supplies, up to
> > >two CPUs, 133mhz FSB, 64bit PCI, three hotswap SCSI bays and three more
> > >can be added, and redundant and hotswap fans.  The fans are particularly
> > >nice.  The x340 doesn't use CPU fans, but an air-flow tunnel over the
> > >CPUs, which a full-size hostswap fan at each end (push, pull arragement).
> > >If one of these fans fails, the other speeds up, with no software
> > >intervention required.
> > >
> > >   Of course, IBM ServeRAID cards aren't supported by FreeBSD, so I use a
> > >Mylex AccelRAID 352 in it.  IBM owns Myles now, so IBM has no problem with
> > >this.  The hotswap bays support SAF-TE, so rebuilding of failed drives is
> > >automatic too.
> >
> >
> > 3u is kind of a waste, as with a 4U you generally dont need a riser so you
> > get maximum functionality for a little extra space (including 64bit
> > functionality).
> >
> > in making a choice, its good policy to stay away from proprietary layouts
> > (the intels servers for example, and compaq) because you are locked into
> > specific MBs at least. There are plenty of generic solutions around that
> > take regular MBs which offer you the maximum flexibility.
> >
> > Whats good to use today may not be true tomorrow, so you need to keep your
> > options open in an environment like freebsd.
> >
> > DB
>
>   Well, you can use regular cards in a 3U card without a riser.  And 64bit
> cards too.
>
>   Propietary layouts offer more features.  For instance, IBM include light
> guide diagnostics on their motherboards.  No else offers that.  Besides,
> the motherboard is part of the package.  You can't buy a generic chassis,
> and a generic motherboard, and get anything as tightly integrated as IBM
> eServer x340.
>
>   For instance, if a CPU fan dies on your generic motherboard, the best
> you can hope for is for the CPU to clock down.  And you will have to power
> the server down to replace the CPU fan.  But with a integrated
> motherboard/chassis combo like the x340, no problem.  There is no clock
> down required, and all fans are hot-pluggable.
>
>   http://www.pc.ibm.com/us/eserver/xseries/x340.html
>
>
> Tom
>
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