[TriLUG] rfc on server

[Jim Ray]

Kevin Flanagan wrote:

> I didn't see the following.
>
> - Redundancy
>    - power supply option

we're running two servers in the environment where the first production 
unit will go in a week.  i figure i'll mirror the data and accept the 
risk of server down.  it won't take long to change a login script for 
the fall back plan.

>
> - Capacity
>    - How many drive bays?

don't care.  it's got at least 3 for RAID5.  hot swap, too.

>    - Second processor?, or more?

nah.  single processor.  our bottleneck is in the disk subsystem, not 
processor.

>    - RAM capacity

don't know.  2 GB is plenty for my customers.

>
> - Add on items
>    - Tape drive options?

i reckon you could add a tape device.  i've had lots of headache from 
tape devices, cleaning tapes and grandfather-father-son tape rotations.  
i use other methods now.

>
>
> - Others
>    - Warranty?

me thinks intel stuff is around 3 yrs.  i'm guessing the same for the disks.

>    - Service?

24/7.  we're 7 employees strong now and just about on our tenth year of 
operation.  i bet i'll get to the customer before dell can dispatch the 
call.  you might have to call a few times to wake my @%#$ up if you call 
at 3 AM; however, i'll rise to the occassion as will the others.  have 
minivan.  will travel.

>
>
>
> The descriptions were confusing, sometimes model designations from the 
> manufacturer and the specs are redundant, better layout may help.

yeah, typical grocery list.  sorry about that.  i was lazy and cut/paste 
direct from tech data's web site.  maybe that marketing class will teach 
me to tweak those important little details.

>
> If you want to compete on price, be sure that it's a real apples to 
> apples comparison, that's one of the things that frustrates me the 
> most when trying to compare things.
> I'd suggest that you also compare IBM and HP servers to yours as well.
>
>
thank you very much for the words of wisdom and for taking a look.  
coming from you with your 1800 servers means a lot to me.

seeya,

jim

>
>
> Just my $.02
>
>       Kevin
>
>
> Jim Ray wrote:
>
>> not to mention any names; however, one of the largest PC 
>> manufacturers is notorious for offering a low price yet leaving out 
>> the components necessary for the system to run properly.  for 
>> example, as soon as you add the necessary memory or whatever the case 
>> may be, the price changes drastically.
>>
>> i'm taking a brand marketing course at nc state this semester and 
>> wanted to bounce off the group my class project:
>> http://www.neuse.net/server
>>
>> instead of offering the lowest price, i wanted to offer the best 
>> server and go straight up against Dell.  does anyone have some 
>> marketing angles that would be appropriate or technical comments on 
>> the design?  many taxpayers are not particularly happy about the 
>> incentives granted to Dell for their new plant when the small 
>> businesses did not get squat.  what will make them squirm the most?
>>
>> i used to be one of their customers (and resellers for that matter) 
>> yet started having a problem from a technical view point when the 
>> same serial number for one of their PCs pulled up multiple choices 
>> for drivers on their support web site.  they used to be #1 in my book 
>> back in 1988 when i bought my first few systems (286 w/ a whole 
>> megabyte of RAM).  they have slipped in my ratings.
>>
>> regards,
>>
>> jim
>>