[svlug] progress report on our new server

[Drew Bertola]

SVLUG President wrote:
> o  A fully working VA Linux Systems model 2230 with 512MB ECC PC100 RAM,
>   and dual 700 MHz PIII CPUs.  This was VA's classic 2U rackmount server.
>   This is the box we're building to be a replacement for our main server.
>   All 512 MB of its RAM passed a 12 hours overnight memtest86+ test
>   while sitting on a picnic table in Rick's back yard on Saturday night, and we
>   ALMOST got to having a working server except for some SCSI problems, which
>   we're still in the process of working out.

That's definitely an upgrade from the previous box.

Are you sure your gonna have enough power for all of that?

I love the ethic of keeping the old stuff running, but for the not so
"green" part about how little compute power and storage you get for all
the watts required to run that kit.  Each and every dual PII is about
140W to run and maybe another 140W for the building (removing the
heat).  Each hard drive is gonna add another 25W to the run and cool
equation.

Don't mean to rain on your parade, but these are real issues with real
costs.  I'd say use only what you need.  A single box w/ dual PIII and 2
disks in a software RAID 1 should be fine.  A third disk, spooled down,
for spare might be good.  The rest of it should be left in cold standby
for when the power supplies die.

Sorry to be a stick in the mud,
--
Drew