Advice on server build

[Ms.FindingMoney]

Hi, I am looking to help build a server. I am not very well versed in the server build department but I have been looking into Xeon CPUs and ECC rams. Any help to point me in the right direction would be great. The server will be mainly for heavy load on Microsoft IIS + Microsoft SQL Server. Looking at Windows Server 2012 for the OS. Multiple networks would be preferred. No concrete budget as of now but hopefully would not break the bank.

Thank you everyone!

 

[86technie]

Get quotes from system integrators, brands like Dell, HP and Lenovo.
For SME?
Proper servers are not cheap, they cost about $10K onwards
depending on many factors.

- Company size
- IT infrastructure
- Purpose of the server
And etc.

I see you are rather new to setting up a proper IT infrastructure
in which you may burn a hole in your company budget if you
are not familiar with IT.

Have someone who is familiar with IT or get a consultant to discuss with you.
Here is difficult as we are not talking about a desktop PC which most can just advice.

Server is not like a desktop PC, they are many things to consider.
Another key factor, have you consider who is going to managed/upkeep the server?

If you haven't which I think so, source for vendors who can host the required services for you but again it aren't cheap.
Hope this helps, it is not much since it is really hard to advice server setup on a forum especially costing which varies from industry to industry.

Cheers.

 

[Rashkae]

If it's for business, get a new server with turnkey support levels.

 

[Ms.FindingMoney]

Thank you all for the replies. I understand the need for proper consultants and channels for our needs. However, we are not at the place where we can do that yet. We are at an interim stage where we need a low(er) cost way to get things running for now. Hence the need for advice on a build that can at least sustain till we can get proper hardware.

 

[Solo_Apple]

ASUS Z10PE WS - D16
INTEL E5-2650V4, x 2
16GB DDR4 ECC KINGSTON 2133, x 4
SANDISK SSD PLUS 120GB
WD Red 4x 4TB @ RAID 10
CORSAIR 760T CASING
CORSAIR RM1000 GOLD FULL MODULAR PSU
NOCTUA U12S

Should be around $5k range. You can do your own +-

 

[-Synchronicity-]

Thank you all for the replies. I understand the need for proper consultants and channels for our needs. However, we are not at the place where we can do that yet. We are at an interim stage where we need a low(er) cost way to get things running for now. Hence the need for advice on a build that can at least sustain till we can get proper hardware.

Why not go cloud then? You could always have a small file server to keep your confidential data. No hardware maintenance/warranty to worry about. Just your monthly windows patches.

Alternatively rent a dedicated rack/server at a datacentre. At least you dunnid to worry about hardware.

 

[Ms.FindingMoney]

ASUS Z10PE WS - D16
INTEL E5-2650V4, x 2
16GB DDR4 ECC KINGSTON 2133, x 4
SANDISK SSD PLUS 120GB
WD Red 4x 4TB @ RAID 10
CORSAIR 760T CASING
CORSAIR RM1000 GOLD FULL MODULAR PSU
NOCTUA U12S

Should be around $5k range. You can do your own +-

Thank you. Any idea which store i can get the parts from? I see very limited Xeon CPU on the pricelists i downloaded.

Why not go cloud then? You could always have a small file server to keep your confidential data. No hardware maintenance/warranty to worry about. Just your monthly windows patches.

Alternatively rent a dedicated rack/server at a datacentre. At least you dunnid to worry about hardware.

A dedicated rack would be the next step.

 

[blackestvoid]

how big do you plan your setup to be?
anyone to manage your servers?
i would recommend you to talk to system integrators and go for reputable builds which comes with platinum/gold/silver onsite hardware support

 

[kenneth0601]

Sent you a PM earlier, in any case, we have our own in-house development. Mini Server is the name.

Packed with Xeon Cpu, 16GB of ECC RAM, up to 4 HDD + 1 SSD, dual GBE LAN.

The tower unit on the left.

 

[86technie]

Thank you all for the replies. I understand the need for proper consultants and channels for our needs. However, we are not at the place where we can do that yet. We are at an interim stage where we need a low(er) cost way to get things running for now. Hence the need for advice on a build that can at least sustain till we can get proper hardware.

Cost is one thing, you have to understand what if anything
goes wrong with the system?
Is there anyone to troubleshoot or provide support?

DIY PC for business use is crumblesome, have you thought
what if any component fail you have to go through
various distributor for servicing.

If you want cheap setup, like some have mention go
for cloud.
Or go for a cheap workstation about $2-$3k with Xeon E3 processor.

ASUS Z10PE WS - D16
INTEL E5-2650V4, x 2
16GB DDR4 ECC KINGSTON 2133, x 4
SANDISK SSD PLUS 120GB
WD Red 4x 4TB @ RAID 10
CORSAIR 760T CASING
CORSAIR RM1000 GOLD FULL MODULAR PSU
NOCTUA U12S

Should be around $5k range. You can do your own +-

This price range, you are rather off with a proper $5k workstation
with same processor with onsite support.
Not necessary for SSD, data redundancy is a key factor.

What if data fails, you still have backup through RAID Array.
Nothing against you bro but that sort of price are get a proper
workstation with 5 years onsite support.

There are also rack mount workstation that you can consider.
In which at later time you can just mount it in a proper data/server
environment.
I still recommend you go for hosting/cloud services since
the fact that it seems no one will managed/provide support
for the server.

Please don't treat server as if it is a desktop PC.
Server is your company $ as well as data, don't just save
money and neglect all other factors.

Factors you should keep in mind:
- Cost
- Support, what if anything goes wrong?
- Setup?
- Future expansion and etc.

Gosh, why are SME coming to HWZ for IT consultation?
Thought MOD have advice against any activities relating to
commercial/business here?

 

[Solo_Apple]

Go for AWS. EC2 instance and S3

 

[-Synchronicity-]

Actually after somw calculation, renting a private server with your required specs seems much cheaper. Thereafter, you just need to worry about who will manage your server/application.

Dont forget for a physical server which you own, you still need to plan for infra i.e your network devices like switches firewall etc. At least renting a server frees you the time to manage and maintain all these.

 

[davidktw]

Hi, I am looking to help build a server. I am not very well versed in the server build department but I have been looking into Xeon CPUs and ECC rams. Any help to point me in the right direction would be great. The server will be mainly for heavy load on Microsoft IIS + Microsoft SQL Server. Looking at Windows Server 2012 for the OS. Multiple networks would be preferred. No concrete budget as of now but hopefully would not break the bank.

Thank you everyone!

If you don't need your business to be running on premise, go subscribe to Amazon Web Services and run your database off the pay-as-you-use model instead.

This is the fastest way to get things moving and effective way to know if your business make sense to have these infrastructure to support it

 

[Ms.FindingMoney]

Hi all, thank you so much for the replies. I am merely someone who agreed to help learn more about a subject that I am personally interested in but do not know much of. I thought it would be a good opportunity for myself to learn more on servers which would come in handy if I were to decide to set up a home server for myself.

I do understand the concerns about support but the person that needs the server has his own reasons for wanting a server. It is really not my call.

P.S. Note that I use "we" in a context for easier understanding which might have caused unneeded complications.

 

[davidktw]

Hi all, thank you so much for the replies. I am merely someone who agreed to help learn more about a subject that I am personally interested in but do not know much of. I thought it would be a good opportunity for myself to learn more on servers which would come in handy if I were to decide to set up a home server for myself.

I do understand the concerns about support but the person that needs the server has his own reasons for wanting a server. It is really not my call.

P.S. Note that I use "we" in a context for easier understanding which might have caused unneeded complications.

Part of the consideration for any system provisioning is to also consider cost. You may want to reflect to your the other party if that "wants" supersede the sensibility to maintain one.

Just merely discussing about server spec is only a small little portion to the business plan. One will need to consider things as such

1) Availability of the service
2) Security of the service
3) Exit plan for the service
4) Overall CAPEX and OBEX of the service
5) Support for the service
6) The holistic infrastructure to support the service including network components, network service for static IP, reliability of the service, etc

Just placing a server next to your bed wouldn't necessarily means better.

If it is not your call to the decision, then reflect these findings to the party whom can make the decision so that the best call could be made.

 

[Illusionist_85]

Go for cloud vendors like AWS or Microsoft Azure. either that can consider Nutanix, find it quite interesting compared to dell emc, hpe or cisco.

Sent from Sony Z4 using GAGT