[olug] Server Motherboard Recomendations.

[Jesse Regier]

Wow, 

Thanks for all the discussion.  You have given me a lot to think about.


Motherboard:

 I haven't used Supermicro before but I've always been interested in 
trying them.  They seem to have a good reputation.  I'm waiting to hear 
about the budget I have (It won't be extravagant)  before I can choose a 
server level or workstation level motherboard.

Raid:

I do intend to use mdraid.  I  would like to use a 3ware card but don't 
want to get stuck if the card goes bad and we can't get a replacement.  
I want to stick to something we can get working on another motherboard.  
This server won't be too heavily taxed so I think the extra CPU wont 
matter.  If I had a lot of budget I would do a 3ware card and keep a 
spare but that is still not as flexible as using mdraid if we need to 
get it going on another motherboard it may not support the card.  The 
drawback of mdraid is the /boot situation.

Booting from flash drive:

This sounds interesting.  I may try this.  It does give you a single 
point of failure again but not one with moving parts.  It might allow me 
to step up to a raid 5 array without the /boot complications.  I thought 
they were largely solved for a 2 disk mirrored array but I haven't 
messed with it for a while.

Filtering:

I saw a video of the Radio station and from that It looks pretty modern 
and clean.  It is air conditioned (Wish the place I am staying was! - 
lots of fans)  But I will keep that in mind.  Where would I find the 
materials?


Remote Management Cards:

This would be great and I do use these in HP servers but I don't think 
it will be in the budget for this project. I'll have to live with ssh 
over a congested wireless ISP. (yippee)


Rackmount:

I would love to do rack mount but the case/power supply will be 
purchased locally. They do have some racks but  they are more suitable 
for audio equipment not servers.   I don't think I could get a rackmount 
server in the luggage without an expensive violation of some airline 
policy anyway.

Again,

Thanks for all you comments.


Jesse Regier