Home Forums Server Specs

OK I built a new super computer and now want to tackle a server running either windows or Linux and want to virtualize a domain controller...Can someone talk some sense into me on doing a tower and giving me some specs. I don't mind spending a bit of money. I like SSD drives...thanks...Todd

6 Core processor. One will be fine.

16G of RAM. Four for the host. Four for the domain controller, the rest for the other VM that will run AC and other stuff.

Four 10k rpm 300G hard drives in a RAID 5 array. H700 series controller.

All set.

You can easily move up from there. SSD drives, second proc, more RAM.

Install Windows Server 2016 Standard, install Hyper-V role, then install two Windows 2016 Standard VM's. Promote one to a domain controller and install AC on the other.

JamesNT

Thanks so much I will now look for the hardware..any ideas on a good motherboard and do you like the AMD Ryzen 7 1700 3.0 GHz 8 core?

I almost always go with Intel motherboards as you can get good deals with the motherboard and processor all ordered together.

Others may want to chime in. My recommendations will always involve some type of "business class" approach. I'm not much for the "gamer" or "cutting edge" or whatever else you want to call it stuff.

JamesNT

Been in the Data Center, so catching up.

I would start with an install of graphical Centos 7, then install whatever M$ instances you want.

I would spec at least 32G of RAM so that you can have multiple instances up to test upgrades/patches, etc

I would go with all SSD drives, either 2 RAID volumes, or for simplicity, one RAID 5 or 10 array.

ok now my wallet is smoking

We have been using AMD chips for in-house dev workstations for ~10 years the price/performance advantage with good success.

I will point out that I'm out seeing practices nationwide this year, and hosting one day/evening Meetups with friends and clients.

In fact Todd, I think I'll actually be near you a couple of times in the next couple of months, so I could swing by and do the install with you and throw a Meetup in the mix as well.

Samsung Pro 512G SSD - $230.

Pretty manageable

One thing I would also point out is to check out e-Bay. I'm seeing some really nice stuff go on eBay for good prices. Servers that would cost $8,000 brand new are flying out of that place for a grand. Also, hard drives that would easily run $300 brand new are leaving the shelf at $50.

However, whenever you order from eBay make certain the vendor in question has a comprehensive return policy. You never know.

JamesNT

thanks a lot. I think I have found a few that look great on ebay

Are you talking new or used drives. I might use a used drive on a desktop, but feel more comfortable with a new one for the server.

I'm talking used. While I certainly won't stop you from using new drives only for a server, do note that while I may use previously owned drives, I always have them in a RAID 5 or RAID 6 array with a spare laying around.

JamesNT

I would never buy a used drive for a computer. But, I will read into it that it's a $300 drive going for $50 new as well.

I will use a used drive for a desktop. All of them are backed up by the server and generally you can tell when a mechanical drive is failing (clicking noises). I have not tried a used SSD because the cost differential did not make it worthwhile (although some of my older machines are sporting 64G SSDs). Of course I don't have my desktops in raid.

The only problem with using them on the server is that I kind of leave it alone and ignore it once it's set up. Raid would mitigate failure, but I might not notice until too late.

How reliable are used SSDs and how can you tell they are failing?

SSD's are on par with spindle drives regarding failure rates.

You can tell the SSD drive fails when your RAID controller sends you an alert just like it does for spindle drives. Or, if you have no RAID, when you lose your data and have to restore from backup - just like a spindle drive.

JamesNT

Comparable failure rate, and same or better service life since there are no moving parts.

Most of the newer SSDs have controller logic that maps out sectors that fail write checks, which means they typically fail slowly.

If you have a full image of the desktop with everything installed, writing back onto a fresh disk is fast, especially if you have a USB3 connection.