[OPLINTECH] How much server: 1 or 2 CPUs?

[Chad Neeper]

I've been using virtual servers for years, and so that is what I use to
de-couple the individual servers from the hardware. It works beautifully
and allows for huge flexibility. For instance, I can upgrade the hardware
at any time without making a single change to any of the virtual servers,
which keeps the stress levels (both mental AND budgetary) way down.

For comparison, the last server I built was based on a single Xeon X5690
3.46GHz processor, which has 6 cores and is hyperthreaded (for a total of
12 effective processors seen by the operating system). The server runs the
free vmWare Hypervisor v5.x and has one Windows domain controller, a linux
server, and a Windows XP Pro pseudo-server. I have other lesser server
hardware running considerably more virtual servers out there all performing
very admirably.

If you're not comfortable with your single 2.2GHz quad-core, but don't want
to jump to a server board that supports two processors, you might look at
staying with a single-processor board, but using a better processor. That
might help keep the cost down, but still add growing room. Pay attention to
the speed of your RAM, too. It can affect your server's performance. Pay
the extra couple of bucks for the faster RAM. It'll be worth it in the long
haul.

WRT the RAID5, I'm a bit paranoid here. I like to have the RAID array
(usually a RAID 5 or RAID 1 mirror) for the redundancy, but also add a
global hotspare drive which isn't actually contributing to the array, but
is ready to jump in at a moment's notice in the event of a drive failure.
Two drives in the array failing within a few hours of each other isn't
terribly likely, so by having the hotspare, when the first drive in the
array fails, the hotspare takes its place and within a few hours the array
is back in optimal condition again and is able to handle a second drive
failure. So for the cost of the hotspare drive amortized over the lifespan
of the server, you've bought yourself some decent insurance at a very
reasonable rate....highly desirable over the alternative.


Just random thoughts. Hope they help.
Chad



______________________________
*Chad Neeper*
Senior Systems Engineer

*Level 9 Networks*
740-548-8070 (voice)
866-214-6607 (fax)

*Full LAN/WAN consulting services -- Specialized in libraries and schools*


On Fri, May 17, 2013 at 10:22 AM, Phil Shirley <
pshirley at cuyahogafallslibrary.org> wrote:

> I'm trying to figure out "how much server" I need, and I would be grateful
> for any comments. Below is information about what it will be used for, and
> the basics of the two quotes I've gotten. Basically, I'm trying to decide
> if I need two CPUs or if one will do. Based on the quotes I've gotten,
> going with 2 CPUs means getting a different model of server which means the
> cost goes up by 2/3; I'm not sure it's worth that, though I can see the
> wisdom of providing for future needs.
>
> This will be our main Windows server; I plan on getting Server 2012 on it.
> It will serve as a domain controller and file server for our 34 staff
> computers. (Our public computers are on a separate segment of the network,
> and not in the domain.)
>
> It will also run these the management end of these things:
>
> -- Librarica's Cassie to manage printouts and logins to 40 public Internet
> computers and 12 public catalog computers (not in the domain)
>
> -- Kaspersky for antivirus, etc., on all computers
>
> -- Deep Freeze for public computers
>
> I have a quote from Dell for this:
>
> PowerEdge R320
> Intel Xeon E5-2407 2.20GHz, 10M Cache, 6.4GT/s (quad core)
> 8 GB RAM (2 of these: 4GB RDIMM, 1333 MT/s )
> 4 TB HDD space in RAID 5 (4 of these: 1TB 7.2K RPM SATA 3Gbps 3.5in
> Hot-plug Hard Drive)
> PERC H310 Integrated RAID Controller
>
> Somebody told me that this single CPU wouldn't be enough in the long run
> and encouraged me to get two, so I got a second quote from Dell:
>
> PowerEdge R520
> Intel Xeon E5-2407 2.20GHz, 10M Cache, 6.4GT/s QPI (2 of these)
> 8 GB RAM (2 of these: 4GB RDIMM, 1333 MT/s)
> 4 TB HDD space in RAID 5 (4 of these: 1TB 7.2K RPM Near-Line SAS 6Gbps
> 3.5in Hot-plug Hard Drive)
> PERC H310 Integrated RAID Controller
>
> The price for the second one is considerably more (1.67 times the first
> one), and I'm not convinced I need that.
>
> I don't expect to be putting a lot more load on this server in the next
> few years by adding lots of workstations and software; I think the main
> need for increased resources in the future will come from loading new
> versions of Windows Server.
>
> Any thoughts?
>
> Phil
> --
>
> Phil Shirley
> Technology Services Coordinator
> Cuyahoga Falls Library
> Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio
> 330-928-2117, ext. 109
> pshirley at CuyahogaFallsLibrary dot org
>
> --
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