Need advice for a server PC
Posted by you_willneverfindme@reddit | sysadmin | View on Reddit | 15 comments
I run a small web dev business. Along with that I often find myself buildig and repairing PCs and laptops for people. For the first time today, a client has asked me for advice regarding a server build. I've never worked with a server so was hoping the people here would be able to share some guidance.
This is the web page I am referring to - https://accessgroup.my.site.com/Support/s/article/Proclaim-Specifications-and-requirements?language=en_US
They asked specifically about the 20 user and 50 user builds. What is essentially happening is that some third party is going to be installing software on their server, but they need a build that is up to spec with what is required so that it can be configured. I have a few questions regarding this
1 - Does it matter what graphics card I go with? No GPU is mentioned and, since it's just a server, I reckon any old card will do (within reason of course)
2 - With respect to redundant power, will any reputable UPS do the job?
3 - What is meant by backup device? Isn't the raid setup on the hard drives enough to do the job of a back-up
4 - Will this server work the same way my PC does. Can I plug in an external HDD and just drag and drop files between them.
5 - What is meant by 1000mbps ethernet adaptor. Does it just mean that the ethernet port on the motherboard is capable of running at a speech of 1 gigabit per second?
6 - Some guidance would be apprecaited please, I really don't want to mess this up and have made it clear to the client that this is my first time ever actually working on creating a server build from scratch
gordonv@reddit
Does this service have a cloud option? You may be interested in that. $0 entry and cheaper for the first couple of years.
gordonv@reddit
They need to tell you what you need.
Tripp-Lite, APC
RAID is not backup. RAID is concurrent fallover. You need a separate external hard drive or device that can be unplugged and plugged into another computer to restore.
RAIDs have a big vulnerability. If the RAID controller fails, you lose the HDDs. You'd have to go to a specialist to recover data. OR, make regular backups and avoid the need for another expensive consultant. Pay $2k now or $10k later. Your choice.
You should avoid humans touching this thing.
Bro, I think you need a consultant.
gordonv@reddit
Have you ever built a PC and installed Windows on a blank HDD?
hawaiianmoustache@reddit
Serious answer, I would just order one of these;
https://www.dell.com/en-au/shop/productdetailstxn/poweredge-r260
diletentet-artur@reddit
The non redundant Power supply -- wouldnt suggest
MDL1983@reddit
You need a Dell PowerEdge or HP ProLiant Server.
They will have on board graphics which is all you need.
Redundant power means 2x power supplies in the server. UPS should also be used for power failover and power conditioning.
Backup device is tape drive, RDX, external storage of some kind, cloud backup.
Servers will be running windows server, you’ll be able to drag and drop.
1000Mbps is the network speed, gigabit Ethernet.
I have used Proclaim in the past for a 75 user law firm.
You will need more storage than recommended and I suggest running the Proclaim server as a VM with a dedicated NIC for its virtual switch rather than a bare metal server.
Say Hi to Tracy for me.
you_willneverfindme@reddit (OP)
Thanks a lot for the advice, really helpful
1 - Could I get the parts myself and build it to save on costs? Wondering what kind of motherboard I should go for
2 - What did you mean by say hi to tracy for me lol. Is she a higher up in this company or something?
qrysdonnell@reddit
Do not build a server yourself. A lot of what ‘a server’ is is an ultra supportable hardware configuration from a reputable vendor. In many senses (especially for a small business) the supportabiity is more important than the specs. For a ‘proper’ server class system it should have e two hot swappable power supplies. Also a proper server warranty would have replacement parts delivered between 4 to 24 hours. It’s all pretty standard to have a remote management card (Drac/iLo).
Lastly, they probably need someone managing it that can know what to do when the shit hits the fan. You’re going to be running along fine until something goes wrong and they’re dead in the water. If this is a mission critical system for them get ready for a new level of stress.
Also RAID is not backup. Backup means another copy somewhere else. RAID is media resiliency so your media can recover from media failures. It doesn’t allow you to recover from deletion, corruption, ransomware. I always say if you only have one copy of your data you don’t really want it. That hold true to RAID. (The most it relates to backup is that it lowers the number of possibilities for times you might need to restore from backup.)
Generally a server doesn’t have a GPU (unless it’s running specific computational software that needs it, but if it was you would know that).
disposeable1200@reddit
kicsi2l8@reddit
Thought I was in another sub for a minute…..
i_am_art_65@reddit
If you are going to attempt this, purchase all of the parts from somewhere like Supermicro and assemble them yourself. It won't be any cheaper than buying it already assembled but it will accomplish your goal of learning. Just make sure the customer knows they have no warranty and that you are not responsible for data loss / corruption.
Or just buy one from Dell, HPE, or Lenovo and be done with it.
hawaiianmoustache@reddit
Partner with somebody that has infrastructure experience or simply refer your client elsewhere.
Seriously, stick with what you know and give the hardware problems to the hardware guys. Customer work isn’t the place to figure this out.
you_willneverfindme@reddit (OP)
I will definitely be telling them to run whatever I tell them past a third party and that I've never built a server before. I still think this would be good experience for me and would make good connnections
hawaiianmoustache@reddit
So are you doing the work for free? Accounting for this being a learning experience for you?
Good luck and all with it mate, might work out but you’re a more cavalier man than I am offering to do experimental (for yourself) work on client systems, especially given the questions you’re already asking here.
Just be mindful you can chew all those bites you want to take, there’s a lot for you to choke on bud.
stephendt@reddit
Honestly - don't. There are a lot of red flags here, unless the data is completely unimportant, probably best to direct them to someone who is better suited for this.