Buying vs building server
10-21-2010, 07:12 AM
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Buying vs building server
Ok I want to tinker around with ESXi from VMware since it is free virtual OS platform. http://www.vmware.com/products/vsphe...sor/index.html
I currently run VMware workstation off of my desktop and it's slow as balls. Current desktop is a E6750 2.66ghz, 2gb RAM and 300gb SATA disk.
What I am pondering is to buy a cheaper server like a Dell PowerEdge or HP Proliant with no OS and just bare components. Thinking of a tower since i have no rack space.
http://cgi.ebay.com/Dell-PowerEdge-830-P4-...=item56403b4b9b
Of if I could build a server for the same price under $500-$600 with used parts. Or old convert my current desktop to a server by adding faster drives to RAID 0 or 1 and about 4gb RAM.
Any suggestions?
I currently run VMware workstation off of my desktop and it's slow as balls. Current desktop is a E6750 2.66ghz, 2gb RAM and 300gb SATA disk.
What I am pondering is to buy a cheaper server like a Dell PowerEdge or HP Proliant with no OS and just bare components. Thinking of a tower since i have no rack space.
http://cgi.ebay.com/Dell-PowerEdge-830-P4-...=item56403b4b9b
Of if I could build a server for the same price under $500-$600 with used parts. Or old convert my current desktop to a server by adding faster drives to RAID 0 or 1 and about 4gb RAM.
Any suggestions?
10-21-2010, 07:48 AM
#2
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Personally, I run Oracle VirtualBox. I think it is a better platform. Pick your poison.. I guess it does not matter because VMWare is reported to run better for Windows and I'm using Linux.
Just keep in mind that each VM you install will attempt to use resources of a full machine. You can scale back your processing power so that each machine takes just 1 core or 1/2 core (with hyperthreading). Each virtual client will want 2 gigs of memory. Each virtual client will take at least two gigs of disk space to start with and will expand with use. Of course, with accessing the hard disk each client will put an additional load on the host.
for runnning 2 clients plus host:
i5-750/i7(4 core or higher with hyperthreading)/AMD phenomX6 processor
4-8 gigs of memory
SATA2/3 hard disk, or SSD. Raid 0+1 would increase speed/stability and require 4 disks. Raid 5 will allow you to have a swappable backup.
You definately want to build. check out this link for serious discounts on good hardware combinations for your setup http://www.pricewatch.com/motherboar...s_with_memory/
Just keep in mind that each VM you install will attempt to use resources of a full machine. You can scale back your processing power so that each machine takes just 1 core or 1/2 core (with hyperthreading). Each virtual client will want 2 gigs of memory. Each virtual client will take at least two gigs of disk space to start with and will expand with use. Of course, with accessing the hard disk each client will put an additional load on the host.
for runnning 2 clients plus host:
i5-750/i7(4 core or higher with hyperthreading)/AMD phenomX6 processor
4-8 gigs of memory
SATA2/3 hard disk, or SSD. Raid 0+1 would increase speed/stability and require 4 disks. Raid 5 will allow you to have a swappable backup.
You definately want to build. check out this link for serious discounts on good hardware combinations for your setup http://www.pricewatch.com/motherboar...s_with_memory/