Server Specs

[Dokeman]

I am kinda new to building servers and am starting to do a lot of it for my business. The problem is that I am not sure what is over-kill for each kind of server. I know not to build a 1gig PIII to use as a file server for 2-3 machines, but what about web-mail-file servers? I know it has mostly to do with the number of users and how much traffic goes across it. I guess my question is what is a good site that deals with server specs. For example, this network that im putting in consists of 6 PC's running a DOS bases program off of a server. The PC's wont drill the server all day log, but it wont be slow by any means. The software that bought (about $6000) came with some sys requirements which were pretty outdated. The workstations are supposed to be PII 300mhz or higher w/ 32mb RAM. I am giving them Celery 766's w/ 1287mb so thats no problem. I wanted to give them some room to grow(office 2000) later on if they wanted. But about the server. The sys req. are PII 400 with 64mb RAM. I quoted them a PIII 800 with 256 RAM and an IDE RAID 0 w/ 2 WestDig. 40gig 7200 drives. Do you think that would leave enough room to grow into a mail-file-web server later on. My biggest problem is that cclients cant see paying 5000 dollars for something they dont need yet, but the dont want to spend a bunch upgrading or even changing servers later on.

[DVNT1]

I don't have any sites to refer you too but I can offer an opinion. First off, many software vendors can give you good ideas about ram requirements needed per connection and/or data size. Although it's hard to find at times. Novell in particular is good about it if you look in their Knowledge base.

I would keep the web server seperate from everything else unless it is only for internal use on a small LAN. This is due to security and the near daily patching-rebooting required if it is an IIS server. http://www.sysopt.com/forum/wink.gif

If it's an Exchange email server you had in mind, then I would keep it seperate too, for similar reasons.

I think some of the "appliance" servers are very good for very low maintenance web and email servers. Very easy to do upgrades/changes without affecting the users or putting thier core data files at any risk.

As for the system you mentioned building, using a RAID5 may be worth it to them (and you) if a hard drive fails. It really depends on thier dependance on the data. Ram is cheap, 256 is a good start based on your info. hard drive space is so easily added and abundant that it doesn't seem likely that it is a big discussion point. Go with a good value that covers their projected needs for the next 2 years. The PIII 800 seems fairly cost effective right now and going slower won't save much cash. It also sounds more than adequate.

A tape backup unit might also be considered for the server.


As a side note...those "Celery 766's w/ 1287mb " are a little overkill on the ram though.