Ultimate Server, Minimal Currency

[agent00013]

Recently, I've been putting some thought into getting another box to run as a server. The problem is I don't have a lot of $$$ 'cause of the money being funnelled straight from my paycheck into school. From this server, I'd like to be able to fiddle with Perl, server side Java, Everything, and run an FTP server. I'd like to run a flavor of Linux such as Redhat 7.1 or Mandrake 7.2.

Given these specifications, what's the minimum CPU speed, ammount of RAM, and hard drive RPM I should have? I don't expect to have much more then 20 active users at any given time, if even that much. Even so, I don't want it lagging or running slow.

Any suggestions for brand specific hardware? (Pentium vs. Athalon, yada yada).

---

Love is random; fear is inevitable. -- Orson Scott Card
PerlMonks is good for Perl, but JavaJunkies is good for Java

[VSarkiss]

The Duke of URL runs a (bi-monthly?) Linux Buyer's guide that you may want to look at. The latest is Issue #12.

HTH

[ralphie]

my experience with servers of virtually any kind is that ram and disk io are the primary considerations. look around at ebay for a good used raid controller (i've seen hp and compaq controllers going for ca. $40) get a box with a big case (or assemble one yourself) and load up with as many scsi drives as you can that are a generation or so old. though there shouldn't be any trouble with name-brand controllers, you may want to double-check compatibility for your own peace of mind if nothing else.

if you don't want a raid controller, you can still gain the benefit by buying a good scsi controller and configuring software raid. this can be done very easily in the redhat setup. whether you choose hardware or software raid, i'd suggest configuring with raid 5, so if one of your drives were to go down you can easily rebuild with the parity information.

i'd also consider looking into a dual-processor motherboard. you don't have to be looking at dual xeons, but you'd be surprised at how responsive even a dual pentium pro with a lot of ram and a raid array can be. if you have the requisite knowledge to assemble your own box it can be done inexpensively. i picked up a gateway dual p2-p3 server board with dual scsi channels from www.compgeeks.com for $50 a few months ago. getting a case to fit it in is another story, but that's beyond the scope of our current concern. ;->

[adamsj]

I asked a somewhat similar question last Christmas--you might find some general guidance on buying on the cheap in that thread. And I'll reiterate something I've seen many places--you wouldn't believe what large companies throw away. I'm still kicking myself for not picking up those beautiful old IBM servers--3274's I believe--out of the dumpster last summer before the guys I worked with beat me to them.

adamsj

They laughed at Joan of Arc, but she went right ahead and built it. --Gracie Allen

[mugwumpjism]

At least 64MB RAM, and any processor above 200MHz will do the job, if you code it well. Save your money on the hardware and buy some Perl books with it.

[xphase_work]

RAM is still inexpensive so load up on RAM, since for speed you want as much as posible to run in RAM. I've noticed that linux kernels previous to 2.4(I've never used the 2.4 kernels) can get very greedy with memory(and swap). Also make sure you get SCSI disk drives. In my experience more drives == better speed, since you can seperate which things reside on which drives.

I think that these will allow for an inexpensive yet speedy multi-user *NIX system.

--xPhase

[John M. Dlugosz]

I might have an 800MHz Athalon to sell, cheap.

More generally, look for bargains. Not just the "half price" computer junk stores, but more to the source—anyone getting rid of stuff, upgrading, etc.? Even aquantances you are not as close to might barter, where you help them with the upgrade if you keep the replaced part.

I maintained my PC "on the cheap" for many years, before I got a career.

[melguin]

I'm not going to comment on hardware since you've already been given good advice. However, (and trembling in fear of starting a distribution flame war) I will give you my small opinion and experience with distributions.

If you want to do basic stuff and don't care much about getting in deep or serious, most will work fine (RedHat and Mandrake included). However, for more than learning on and messing around with, if you want to run a server, I would go with something other than Mandrake.

Having said that, I love Mandrake and I use it everyday, with version 8 being really awesome in many respects, but only on my desktop. I guess it just comes down to not which is best, but which is best for your purpose.

melguin.