Re:Bah what is the fun of dropping cash with a Dell?
I just built us a to-disk backup server with a Sempron 2800+, Nforce 4 MB, 2×80GB drives for the OS and 4×200GB drives in RAID 5 for the backups + SBS 2003, 1GB of RAM, GBit switch, full tower case for about 1700 bucks.
For a similar machine from Dell they were looking at nearly 4K.
I would however let them know the downsides to such a purchase. Such as the support is in house and if she breaks it will require downtime to fix. But I looked at it as Dell usually never showed up within a day anyways at my old work so you dont gain much from them.
I'd use an OEM however in a larger firm that has more money to throw around and more work to be performed. For small offices however DIY can still be a pretty good deal.
Re:CALs: Depends on whether you use a domain or not.
No…don't try to upgrade the components in the server…they're all customized to some extent, and it really messes up your support when you swap out the innards. Personally I'm a Compaq/HP fan, but as long as it comes with a decent on-site support contract, you should be ok.
Since you are/will be subject to HIPAA…you will want to change your network config so that your file storage is NOT your gateway. There shouldn't be any way to access this server from the Internet! (btw…I hope you're not MY doctors office!)
Please use some sort of RAID to protect the online data.
Also set up some sort of backup (not RAID), to have a clean, valid copy of your data files, preferably stored encrypted and off-site.
Re:OP here again. This is a small medical office and we don't really need anything too powerful for what we do, in fact the old server is pretty old but still does the job. Looking at the dells, one of those $300 machines would work out fine I think, but adding the OS and I assume I also need 10 CALs for the 10 other computers, plus we have the other gear and a security camera, which may require more CALs, drives the costs up quite high. Could I just replace the MB, CPU and ram on the old server and continue to use the dell poweredge OS and CALs? Do I even need CALs for this kind of setup?
Re:I agree too, Dell server. I would consider raid though for backup purposes if the data on your server is crucial. Would your company be screwed if your current hard drive took a dump?
Re:I agree on "don't put all the egg in 1 basket". Since you're planning on replacing the old server, you can easily take that old server and make it into uber-powerful router/firewall.
Re:another "Buy Dell" bump. It's not worth the hassle. Also, another "Don't put it all on the one box" bump. Seperate your access from your fileserver, it's MUCH more prone to hacking if it IS the firewall/edge machine. Get a raid 5 and a decent tape backup system.
Re:I haven't dealt with HP/Compaq for server support. I would hope that IBM has better server support than they do desktop support. We used to fight with them over simple RMAs.
Dell, hands-down best support I have personally experienced. 4 Hour gold support here as well. Within a couple hours, they have a tech at one of our remote locations and saves us the expense of sending our own tech. Even their desktop/laptop support has been great, next-day air parts for our certified techs.
I thought about building a server at my old job and came to the conclusion to buy the hardware from Dell and the software from someone else (can save on CALs and 3rd party apps elsewhere, just get the basic Server OS pre-installed). If you build it, your ass gets blamed whenever it crashes. If a Dell crashes and they show up within hours, you will be given kudos on the good choice for support.
Re:Important thing to consider – Don't EVER combine your main file / application server and Internet access together – It's just bad karma. Get a separate Linksys router of some kind and use it for Internet access and stick your server behind it. You'll be much, much happer and waaaaaaay safer.
If you don't think you CAN do this, let us know and we'll help you find a way to do it right.
- G
Re:I've worked with multiple server vendors, and I think dell is one of the best. Having said that, I've also heard many ppl complaints that dell has had high component failure rate. IMHO, if you worked with 50-100 servers, a few things are bound to fail regardless of their brand. Anyway, I really like dell 4HR gold contract. I've gotten part replaced within 1-2Hr from the call I've made to tech support. HP/Compaq support are just as good
Re:Like everyone has said before, stick with a Dell or IBM. Just as easy. As for your firewall/router, you could put linux on there, and IPTables,SmoothWall. There are some HowTo's out there.
Re:Woops! I didn't realize there was a post count requirement that must be met before posting an opinion.
Re:Stick with a prebuilt from Dell or IBM. Get one with at least 2 and hopefully 3 hard drives for RAID support. Stick with SCSI.
Don't use your file server as a router. The chances and repercussions of getting hacked are too high. Use a real router to route or turn your old server into a firewall/router (like smoothwall.)
WEP makes your network too insecure for a business. If your router doesn't support WPA get a new one.
Re:Originally posted by: guy
Sounds like someone who pushes Systemax.LOL. One of the signs to the phenomenon is a combination of very strong language with very small amount of Posts. It usually means a person of ?Interest? (most of the players in the computer world "Game" have people assigned to monitor the major computer Forums). They keep an eye on few BBSs and post when the ?Right? opportunity comes along.
:sun:
Re:Sounds like someone who pushes Systemax. Comments are complete rubbish of course. Absurd. Of course I am spoiled with Plantinum support. Beyond the relatviely difficult conversation understanding an Indian even the basic Dell support is adequate to good. Components are comparable to any other major vendor. Better than most. Systemax? At least recommend something decent.
Re:Dell stinks like rotten cabbage. Pick up a Systemax server. MUCH better support and components. Or hire me to come out there and set up your network RIGHT.
Re:Yeah…get a Dell SC series. They're relatively cheap and have good service contracts available. Try to get one with more than 3 drives so you can do RAID 5…makes it nice if you have a hard drive failure.
Re:On a side note for your existing issue. Move your pagefile off your C: partition to your other partition. That will free up probably 1/2 a gig or more depending on its size, then you can run defrag and do the updates you need to until you get another server.
Re:Agreed. Building your own server these days if foolish. You can barely build for what you can buy new from Dell AND you get support included plus a warranty. Spend the extra money and get a 3 year warranty and the best parts turnaround contract you can afford.
On another note, if this information is important on your current server why is there no backup solution. I'd just repartition with something like partition magic, add some RAM to your existing machine and perhaps put another drive in there. That is the cheapest solution. If they are set on replacing then go OEM. Don't make the mistake of taking on the responsibility yourself of server crashes.
Re:Buy another Dell server instead of building a machine. The machine specs you are quoting are workstations specs not servers. Besides with the Dell they offer business support plans that will ensure that the server is taken car of during any period of downtime.
John
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