New hardware is on the way

I originally wrote this post for Terry, but decided that the rest of you might be interested. We're been working on getting upgraded servers for DG, and we're almost ready to migrate.

After spending almost all the past 2 days researching hardware, I have finally made the purchase. Here is what is currently being shipped to me:

2 servers, each with a Tyan S2850G2NR RAID motherboard ($192 each) and Opteron 148 CPUS ($296 each). (This is almost top of the line. Very fast!) Rackmount 2U enclosure (SKY HAWK IPC-2025) ($291 each).

The servers will look like this: http://www.skyhawkusa.com/IPC-2025.htm

4 harddrives, for a total of 1.2 terabytes. 2 drives per machine. ($194 each)

6 Gigabytes of DDR400 PC3200 Kingston memory ($136 per gig) (almost the fastest available). 4 gigs for the database server, 2 gigs for the front-end webserver. Kingston makes the very best (reliable) RAM in the world.

Total cost (including shipping to my house): $3,021.04.

Once we get the hardware setup (I'll have to put the machines together and install all the software, etc) and shipped to our new ISP, we will then have a monthly bill of $375 for the hosting. That is about $125 less than we are paying right now.

DG is going to scream with this new setup. I'm very excited!

dave

Youre amazing, Dave!!

Don't understand a word of it, Dave...but if you're excited-I'm excited!

Mary

I'm sure all those that understand all the techno-speak are excited.......but as for me....if you're excited, I'm excited for you!!! I agree, you're truly amazing!
Pati

That is very cool. =)

Cheri'

That is awesome! I'm an account manager for an IT consulting firm and the specs are almost funny!!! 6GB RAM is amazing (I remember when 16MB was exciting!) :)

with RAID, how much of the 1.2 terabytes is actually usable? Will you mirror each of the two?


Edited to add, the price is really great, too!

This message was edited Apr 27, 2005 9:47 AM

Each machine will run RAID 1 with 2 disks for a total of 300G usable each. I'm doing it mostly for performance reasons, but also in case on disk fails the whole system won't crash. :)

dave

...may I ask where you got them? I have some clients who could benefit from upgrading their servers and you really did get an incredible price!

Do I remember that you're using Linux?

Yes, Linux.

I purchased the motherboards from eWiz.com and the rest of the lot from mwave.com. Here are the direct links for your convenience:

Motherboard: ($192 * 2)
Tyan S2850G2NR Socket940(Opteron)/SATA/R/V/2GBE/ATX Motherboard
Has 2 GBE Nics.
SATA RAID.
MEMORY: 4 DIMMS SUPPORTS UP TO 8GB REGISTERED(ECC/NON-ECC)DDR333/266/200
http://www.ewiz.com/detail.php?name=MB-S2850G2

Memory: (x4 + x2) ($816)
KINGSTON KVR400X64C3A/1G 1024MB PC3200 400MHZ CL3 (3-3-3) DDR DIMM
($136.00) http://www.mwave.com/mwave/viewspec.hmx?scriteria=BA20668

Case: ($145.99 * 2) ($291.98)
SKY HAWK IPC-2025 (BLACK) 2U CHASSIS NO POWER SUPPLY 2x5.25" 2x3.5" 3x3.5"(hidden) W/ 80mm FAN x 2 *SLIDING RAIL NOT INCLUDED!80mm BALL BEARING FAN (CLEAR); 500W UL P/S; POWER SUPPLY INSTALLATION
Cases: http://www.mwave.com/mwave/skusearch.hmx?&scriteria=BA20719
Rails: http://www.mwave.com/mwave/skusearch.hmx?&scriteria=BA20721

Drives: ($189 * 4) ($756)
MAXTOR 300GB 6B300SO SATA-150 16MB 7200RPM
http://www.mwave.com/mwave/viewspec.hmx?scriteria=AA28930

Processor: ($296 * 2) ($592)
AMD OPTERON 148 2.2GHZ RETAIL BOX W/COOLING FAN
http://www.mwave.com/mwave/viewspec.hmx?scriteria=BA03425

Now I have purchased from mwave many many times over the past 5 years and am happy with their reliability. This is my first time using ewiz, however, so the jury is still out. There isn't a Garden Watchdog for computer parts companies, alas.

dave

When I first saw Dave's thread, the first thing I did was look at the date...to be sure it wasn't another April 1st thing...it's still Greek to me, but, Hey...I'm glad for you. Jo

LOL Jo. Me too !!

Dave, I'll bet you're grinning like a kid who just got the keys to the candy store! Sounds like a tremendous upgrade.

Say, when the time comes to fire it all up with the new ISP, will you give us a little advance notice? While I imagine the transition will seem seamless, you know how antsy we get during 'hiccups'... lol

Good luck!
Donna

Yes, I'll give notice. It'll be at least 6 weeks from now, BTW.

dave

Wow, this is exciting!! Thanks Dave!

I luv this stuff! And yes, I can see Dave happily bouncing off the walls and grinnin' like a Chessy cat eatin' briars!

Great shopping around, Dave. I imagine one day you'll be your OWN ISP and running things out of a back room at home! (Didn't you once run DG off your personal computer when there was some sort of server problem?)

Congrats! The best site on the Net just keeps getting better!

DG started in my own office running off my desktop and cable modem.

Also, there was a brief time for a few days where I operated DG off my DSL router in Kerrville. That was a disaster!

It's not as exciting as you'd think, by the way, getting new hardware. I developed a tremendous headache this week doing all the hardware shopping - it's just not really my cup of tea. It's something I consider a necessary task.

I'm excited to get a faster setup for DG! :)

dave

Ugh...I understand the shopping around stuff. Comparison shopping wears me out!

Will send Goody Powders and Blue Soda for your headache. Hang in there!

WOW! 6 GIG OF RAM!?!? Sounds like a great setup, good luck getting it all set up. ;) You use Fedora for your main desktop right? So what distro are you using for the servers, Debian?

-Paul-

Fedora Core on the servers, too. I like to keep identical setups on servers and my desktop.

dave

Good news Dave. I'm looking forward to more speed in the garden. It moves pretty good most of the time, but more speed is something I'd never turn down.

I guess I better go find some more people and get them to try DG! LOL

That makes sense, easiest to keep up with it if it's all the same I guess. Fedora Core 2 or 3? Just curious. :)

3.

I do understand most of the technicule talk but to me Dave has created a grotto cut into a hillside. The path to the entrance is gentle and there is ample soft grass to stretch out on. The sun shines gently and there is a soft breeze.

Inside there are knooks carved where all sorts of information is deposited. I can, at my leisure, explore the information. Many, many people are busily adding information. I quietly look and at times something catches my interest and I interact with those who are supplying the information.

Occasionally a bit of a squabble erupts but Dave and Terry are quick to sooth ruffled feathers. I do not often see Trish these days but I suppose that as the grotto has been enlarged she tends to be in other parts from where I go.

I do not know what I would do without this wonderful place.

Wow, Dave, what an upgrade. I am aware of the many new subscribers since I joined last May. This setup may hold you for awhile, but here's hoping that you continue to grow, and monitor as you have in the past.

Thanks for doing this for your subscribers.

Way to go Dave
I understand what you said, and am really pleased that you are investing for the not so distant future.

DG rocks!

Goerge, what a Poet! Thanks for the visuals!

Dave, I also understand it NOT, but if it works faster, better, Yea! (and how long before we outgrow it?)

Well, as Brugie said...as long as it helps me garden faster, I am all for it! Sounds great...congrats...I really think you are the Bomb!.

Carol

How lovely George. What a sweet vision to start my day!
Pati

Very nicely put, George. And Dave, thanks for my afternoon Greek lesson! ;-) It truly does sound impressive - a quality site will be getting even better. Thank you for your hard work and dedication; this place brings a lot of joy to a lot of people.

Shannon

Alas, I hardly understood a word you said although I did recognize "$125 less", "scream" and "very excited" and they all sound good to me.

By the way, what is a terabyte?

WAAAAHHH! I want my high speed connection!

terabyte == 1,000 gigabytes.

gigabyte == 1,000 megabytes

megabytes == 1,000 kilobytes

kilobyte == 1,000 bytes

byte = 8 bits (that is, 8 zero or one (on or off) switches)

Only 8 years ago I bought a brand new 1.6 megabyte drive.

dave

**gasp** I just bought an 80GB external hard drive to supplement my 10GB hard drive. LOL

You're right, DG is really going to scream with all that. Wowee!

Just give us notice so we don't go through the D(g)T's.

This message was edited Apr 29, 2005 5:34 PM

I told DH and DS I want a 1 Tb hard drive and they laughed. DS (a 15 yr old) said, " Whooooaaaa! That's like a Pentagon computer!" LOL

Dave, you've gotta be pretty proud that this little plot of cyberspace you started a few years back has turned into a haven of friendship, knowledge, education and fellowship. Way to go!

Well, Dave, even though you seem to speak a foreign language which leaves me going "Wuuuttt?", I applaud your ingenuity and I love your garden. What a grand bunch of gardeners you've allowed to meet each other here and what a good proprietor you are! Thank you so much! (And to think I got excited when I got my flat screen monitor.............teehee)

( * * super applause!! .. exceptional acoustics, configured for duplicating echoing throughout the Grand Canyon * * )

Way to go mr 'soon-to-be-in-the-runnin' presidential candidate!!

- Magpye

No, no Mags, he's MUCH too intelligent to be president!! Ooops, was that too political? *smirk*
Pati

I am like most in that I don't understand a lot of it. I am happy if it just keeps everything working well.