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Last Updated:
27 July 2008
In this category of servers the main priority is low cost,
with reliability as a close second consideration. Price has always been
the number one concern of most Malaysian buyers.
While
performance is important, we do not consider it a vital part of
building a budget server; it is merely something that is considered when
price and reliability have been established. This is not to say that
performance is ignored because an efficient server will mean better
productivity for the users depending on the server. Platform stability
is also a priority and in this respect, many of our clients have always
settled for servers based on the Intel®
IA-32 architecture. Although AMD's OpteronTM
is a strong contender, the lack of a 64-bit version of Windows Server
2003 is somewhat hampering its acceptance in small business
environments.
The server we
recommend below would be suitable for up to 20-25 users as a general
rule of thumb. However, every company have their own requirements and
depending on needs, the number of users connected to the server may be
more or less than the above specified numbers.
Hard Disc & Optical Storage
Hard
Disc Drive:
2 X 74 GB Western Digital WD740GD
10,000 rpm c/w 8 MB buffer (RAID 1 configuration)
DVD Writer: LiteOn SOHW - 1653S Internal 16x dual layer DVD+/-RW Drive
Approximate Retail Price: RM 2,025
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Designed for servers and NAS/SAN systems, the drive of
choice for high- performance workstation and gaming systems, the
WD Raptor hard drive is a new class of drive that matches SCSI
performance and reliability while providing simplified
connectivity.
Killer Speed: World’s fastest Serial ATA drive: 10,000
RPM, 4.5 ms seek; Unsurpassed Reliability: 5-year
warranty and 1.2 million hours MTBF; Optimum Value: All
the speed and reliability of SCSI without the wicked price tag.
We recommend a pair of these so that a RAID 1 configuration
can be achieved for more secure data storage. |
LiteOn
has done a good job with their DVD writers, which
is why we decided to recommend them. LiteOn also manufactures
optical drives for many famous brands, like Sony. DVD is a cheaper medium to
perform regular backups and, with a 4 GB backup capacity per
DVD, it is easy to complete a data backup using just one DVD.
DVD drives are also useful for software installation as the need
to use multiple CDs is eliminated. Of course, when your
organisation grows, it would be prudent to have a complete
backup and data protection strategy which may include the use of
a more serious backup device like a DDS-3 tape backup as
detailed below. |
Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS),
Keyboard & Mouse
UPS: APC SmartUPS SU-1500I
Keyboard and Mouse:
Logitech Touch II
keyboard and Logitech optical mouse
Approximate Retail Price: RM 1,750
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You cannot really afford to have a server breakdown during a
business day. When a server breaks down, it impacts on all users
on the network. Therefore, reliability must be top notch. APC
has established a reputation over the years for solid products
that virtually pay for themselves upon installation. Who has
time to spend worrying about system downtime? APC makes it easy
for you to focus on business growth instead of business
downtime.
A secondary effect of having a UPS is its power regulating
features. We all know that TNB power supply can fluctuate wildly
in different areas. The UPS will ensure that the power supplied
to the server is as smooth and as stable as possible for
reliable operations. |
The keyboard and
mouse are not really important components here because they are not put
to use on a daily basis. We recommend the relatively cheap
Logitech Touch II keyboard and Logitech optical mouse. Both are OEM kit
items and should be enough for a server and does not add much to the
cost.
Tape
Backup (option)
Tape Backup Drive:
Sony SDT-D9000
with Adaptec 2930U SCSI adaptor
Approximate Retail Price:
RM 2,090
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Capacity and performance for entry
level requirements, the Sony DDS-3 tape drive will ensure
proper backups are done on your server. With 24 GB capacity and
2.4 MB/s sustained data transfer rate, with 2:1 data
compression, Sony 9000 series DDS-3 drives offer increased
capacity along with the fastest DDS-3 tape drives in the market.
The 9000 series capacity and speed are a great match for higher
end requirements such as small to mid-size networks.
Adaptec SCSI Cards are tested with hundreds of computer
systems and peripherals to ensure the widest possible support
now, and in the future. Since peripheral manufacturers design to
Adaptec products, you can count on broad compatibility. This
will make an excellent companion to the Sony tape drive. |
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Summary
The final
price of our basic low end server is RM 7,424 - it is already a
comprehensive and high performace server for its price, with enough high
performance storage as well as sufficient battery backup time. The price
stated is for
the bare components and does not include assembly costs (Micronet
Solutions charges for assembly, testing, configuration and optimisation
charges vary, depending on your requirements) and any money that you'll spend on software.
We will discuss the software options that you can consider in the next
page.
This system also has room for upgrades. There are spare 64-bit PCI-X to
enable you to install more SCSI or Gigabit ethernet
controllers as your business needs demand more bandwidth. With a 4U
casing, there is ample room to slot in more SCSI hard discs as and when
they are required. These are hot swappable too!
Here is a summary of the system:
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CPU: |
Intel®
Pentium® 4 3.2E GHz processor |
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Mainboard: |
Intel® Entry Server Board SE7210TP1-E |
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Graphics: |
Onboard
ATI RAGE™ XL
SVGA PCI
video controller with 8 MB RAM |
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Memory: |
2 X 256 MB
(total 512 MB) Kingston
400MHz DDR PC3200 ECC DIMM 3-3-3 |
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Monitor: |
Samsung SyncMaster™
591S
15" monitor |
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Chassis: |
HEC Compucase S411 4U chassis |
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Power Supply Unit: |
HEC 460DR 460W EPS/GES 12V PSU |
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Sound
Card: |
N/A |
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Networking: |
One Intel®
PRO/1000 82547EI Controller (CSA port) and one Intel®
PRO/100+ 82551QM Controller |
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Hard Disc Drive: |
2 X 74 GB Western Digital WD740GD
10,000 rpm c/w 8 MB buffer (RAID 1 configuration) |
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DVD Writer: |
LiteOn SOHW - 1653S Internal 16x dual layer DVD+/-RW Drive |
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UPS: |
APC SmartUPS SU-1500I |
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Keyboard & Mouse: |
Logitech Touch II keyboard and mouse
(PS/2) OEM kit |
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SYSTEM TOTAL: |
RM 7,424 without tape backup; RM
9,514 with tape backup |
This isn't going to come close to breaking any speed records, but entry
level system
Our
low
end server
isn't going to be breaking any performance records when compared to dual
or quad processor Xeon or Opteron based servers. Neither will it break
your bank account. If anyone
thought that they needed to spend more than RM 10,000 on a well
equipped, good performance and reliable server they are mistaken. Even with a tape
backup drive and UPS installed, our server here still costs a very reasonable RM 9,514. Gone are the days when servers are out of reach of most small
businesses. Our basic server here costs less than a year's salary for an
office boy!
Next we are going to discuss the software options that
will turn this server into a powerhouse, serving your organisation in
its day to day data and information processing requirements.
 
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