[Tfug] ECC (was Re: Using a Laptop as a server)

Fri Mar 15 21:45:02 MST 2013

Hi,

I am not finding that specific intel processor on any boards easily...  
The only real board I am finding is a supermicro X9SBAA-F, which seems 
to be in the ~$250 ish if you can find it.

A dual core (65watt max) AM3 processor will easily be faster then the 
Atom.  And quite possibly lower overall power, since it will be in idle 
mode more then the Atom.

This is more then over kill for what you are doing, and could easily be 
cut down.

The chassis must have either a fanless PSU or a PSU with a rear fan (not 
side)

1x http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811219042 <--- 
2U Chassis, great for sticking under a monitor, etc, and also in case 
you Co-Lo it later

2x http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822236343 <--- 
linux MD Raid 1 for dirvish backup, and for "bulk" storage (possibly 
scripted to be turned off most of the time, could use a single drive 
instead of raid).

2x http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820721106 <--- 
linux MD Raid 1 for OS, Most web content and Databases

2x http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820239370 <--- 
16GB unbuffered ECC memory (most server boards use registered ecc)

2x http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16812270093 <--- 
Sata Cables, board comes with only 2

1x http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16816119028 <--- 
Mounting for SSDs

1x http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103953 <--- 
3.4GHz dual core AMD AM3 processor, 65watt max, and will idle very low

1x http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131795 <--- 
MicroATX motherboard that officially supports ECC memory with AM3 and 
AM3+ processors, serial port is a big plus for a grub/linux serial 
console if needed in the future

1x http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817151097 <--- 
expensive, but VERY efficient PSU, 80plus PLATINUM rated

Total with shipping is under $850, I left out an optical drive, but 
there is physical space to put one in if needed

-Harry

On 3/15/13 8:56 PM, keith smith wrote:
> Wow what an interesting thread.
>
> Thank you to everyone.
>
> Here are some of the points:
>
>
>
> 1) The downside of a laptop is the issue of durability and
> maintainability.  IME, they just aren't designed for long life.
> And, aren't (as) easy to repair/replace (components) when they
> *do* break.
>
> 2) Lack of ECC memory
>
> 3) Lack of redundant hard disk drives
>
> 4) Personally I would probably look at either the HP Microservers, or 
> build something low power based on AM3+ cpus and ECC memory.
>
> 5) Look for an 80+ silver or gold PSU, and the power usage should be 
> similar to a laptop.
>
> 6) HP's Microservers are great hardware, and frequently can be found 
> <$300 on sale.
>
> 7) AM3 stuff tend not to be low powered generally, unless you get into 
> dual core.
>
> 8) If you are really power concerned you might consider an Atom server 
> processor
> Alternatively Intel makes both a 17* and a 20 watt Xeon E3
>
> 9) SSDs
>
> 10) 
> http://ark.intel.com/products/71267/Intel-Atom-Processor-S1260-1MB-Cache-2_00-GHz
> 2 cores, 4 threads, up to 8G Ram, 8.5 watt, and only $65 retail.  It 
> even has Intel® Virtualization Technology (VT-x)
>
> I had not thought about ECC in years.  Maybe over 10 years.  Not sure 
> If I will in the future.  Checked with the data center where the 
> servers are that I do my work on.  The data center owner said divers 
> and power supplies were his main issue not ECC.  He said ECC can be an 
> issue, however from his experience ECC memory is not worth the gain 
> realized.
>
> What made me thing was the question "What do you do with the info?".  
> I have no answer.
>
> I had not thought about building a low power server.  That would be 
> the best of both worlds.  I may do that.  Not as much fun as using a 
> NetBook running an Atom n2600 with 1G RAM.  That would be a cool 
> project however given the processor runs at 1.6Ghtz and the drive runs 
> at 5400 rpm, that might not be a long term solution for hosting a 
> couple WordPress websites.  Cool project though.
>
> I was very intrigued by 
> http://ark.intel.com/products/71267/Intel-Atom-Processor-S1260-1MB-Cache-2_00-GHz
> 2 cores, 4 threads, up to 8G Ram, 8.5 watt, and only $65 retail.  It 
> even has Intel® Virtualization Technology (VT-x)
>
> My question would be, would it be wise to run SSDs on a web server?  
> I'm sure that would make for a much faster server and much less heat, 
> however is that a viable solution at this time?
>
> Thank you all for a very interesting thread!!
>
> Keith
>
> ------------------------
>
>
>
> --- On *Fri, 3/15/13, Bexley Hall /<bexley401 at yahoo.com>/* wrote:
>
>
>     From: Bexley Hall <bexley401 at yahoo.com>
>     Subject: Re: [Tfug] ECC (was Re: Using a Laptop as a server)
>     To: "Tucson Free Unix Group" <tfug at tfug.org>
>     Date: Friday, March 15, 2013, 1:34 AM
>
>     Hi Zack,
>
>     On 3/14/2013 10:00 PM, Zack Williams wrote:
>     > On Thu, Mar 14, 2013 at 7:56 PM, Bexley Hall<bexley401 at yahoo.com
>     </mc/compose?to=bexley401 at yahoo.com>> wrote:
>     >> What would you do if you started seeing four per day (Louis's
>     figure)?
>     >
>     > Check for radon.
>
>     OPen a window!
>
>     >> Or, 250 per day (Google's *measured* rate)? Is your memory now
>     "bad"?
>     >
>     > Call SETI.
>     >
>     > :)
>
>     Ha!
>
>     First Contact:  2078
>
>     Human:  "At last!  We've been able to contact you!"
>     Alien:  "Bah!  We've been sending you messages for 100
>             of your Earth- years!"
>     Human:  (puzzled)  "What?  We've been monitoring every
>             radio band from DC to light and haven't noticed
>             *any* activity at all!"
>     Alien:  "You've been looking in the wrong places! We've
>             been persistently flashing your 'CHECK ENGINE' lights
>             yet no one has seemed to notice..."
>
>     _______________________________________________
>     Tucson Free Unix Group - tfug at tfug.org </mc/compose?to=tfug at tfug.org>
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>
>
>
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