Rack Servers

tony5429 · 2015-02-22 13:59:36

I've set up many laptops and desktops as LAMP servers using Arch through the years. I am now looking to purchase a legitimate 1U rack server for a small business application (probably this one www.amazon.com/ThinkServer-RS140-70F90007UX-i3-4130-3-40GHz/dp/B00KXEBE58). Can I just plug this thing into the wall (power and ethernet), plug in a keyboard and monitor, plug in a USB drive with Arch, and install Arch on the system just like a regular computer? Silly question probably, but I want to confirm before we purchase. Thanks!

Last edited by tony5429 (2015-02-22 14:08:52)

Trilby · 2015-02-22 14:22:02

Short answer: yes. But all hardware is different, so the install procedure includes various conditional steps depending on the hardware, but there is no categorical difference between a rack-mount and a desktop tower. Essentially, they are just different shape.

I've been looking into servers as well - and while I am no expert, that doesn't seem like a very good deal to me. 1 x dual-core should be cheaper than that (but perhaps it's because I've been looking primarily at good condition used / refurbished where at that price you should be able to get 16 cores, not 2).

QuimaxW · 2015-02-24 22:59:04

I'll agree with the short answer above...

I assume the small business you have already has a rack that you're mounting this rack mount thing into. Take a serious look at SuperMicro servers, I've found a much higher bang-for-buck with their lines than with the "brand names" Since you're installing Arch anyways, generic is often easier to work with. That's my 2 cents.

EscapedNull · 2015-02-26 17:03:29

Unix Surplus has some reasonably priced rack mount servers, primarily Dell, HP, and SuperMicro. I've never purchased anything from them, nor am I endorsing them or affiliated in any way, I'm just putting it up as an idea. As far as installation goes, you'll sometimes find servers with remote management cards in them, allowing you access to the BIOS, boot loader, and local TTY, but every one I've seen allows you to connect a monitor and keyboard just as you normally would.

tony5429 · 2015-02-27 03:41:33

Thanks, all, for this info! Yes, QuimaxW, we have access to a rack (it's a colo situation). Per your suggestions to look around for a better deal, I'm now looking at this server: http://www.amazon.com/HP-Proliant-Serve … B0096CMENO One more question: it says it has two processors... So if I were to install Arch on it, would Arch know how to use both processors, or would it only ever use one of the processors?

Alad · 2015-02-27 04:17:21

tony5429 wrote:

Thanks, all, for this info! Yes, QuimaxW, we have access to a rack (it's a colo situation). Per your suggestions to look around for a better deal, I'm now looking at this server: http://www.amazon.com/HP-Proliant-Serve … B0096CMENO One more question: it says it has two processors... So if I were to install Arch on it, would Arch know how to use both processors, or would it only ever use one of the processors?

180 $ for 2xQuad-core, 16GB RAM and SAS drives. To add a silly question, what prevents me using that as a workstation? (besides the, I imagine, obscene noise levels)

PS: https://projects.archlinux.org/svntogit … /linux#n39

Last edited by Alad (2015-02-27 04:21:35)

tony5429 · 2015-02-27 04:25:23

Haha, I guess you're saying this is a better deal than the first one I found

Thanks for the postscript; that answers that!

Trilby · 2015-02-27 11:15:31

tony5429 wrote:

it says it has two processors... would Arch know how to use both processors

Yes. No configuration needed. Linux uses any cores and/or processors available.

Arch Linux

#1 2015-02-22 13:59:36

Rack Servers

#2 2015-02-22 14:22:02

Re: Rack Servers

#3 2015-02-24 22:59:04

Re: Rack Servers

#4 2015-02-26 17:03:29

Re: Rack Servers

#5 2015-02-27 03:41:33

Re: Rack Servers

#6 2015-02-27 04:17:21

Re: Rack Servers

#7 2015-02-27 04:25:23

Re: Rack Servers

#8 2015-02-27 11:15:31

Re: Rack Servers

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