Server requirements

[wilsonian]

Hello,

After being out of the industry for over 5 years alot has changed, last time I looked at a price list items like the X800 pro graphics card were showing as new and 775 chipsets were only just coming in (oh how things change).

Recently I was given the option to install a server in the data centre I work at - now the two main functions I want this server to do are Cisco ACS (which doesn't take much hardware power) and GNS3 (a cisco router and switch emulation software) - this is the power hungry software I doubt my A64 2.8ghz(1gb ram) will keep up with.

Now I'd like to have around 6-8gb of RAM but I'm unsure which Case, Motherboard and CPU I should get. I have an overall budget of just £400 for these bits.

What items are good enough for the task without breaking the bank?

[dirky]

Does it need to be rack mountable? if so - do you have a case, and if so what size is it
Do you need storage or just enough for OS etc?

[wilsonian]

Rack mount isn't a problem as I can install a shelf in the cabinet and the case will be a lian li PC 60 (Only spare case I have lol) The storage etc again isn't a problem as I have a few 120gb hard drives which should act as an OS drive and the other in a caddy as a "briefcase" roll.

Just wondering what CPU, motherboard, PSU and RAM to get, everything else isn't a major issue.

[dirky]

Do you have a 64Bit OS? It might be an idea going for an AM2+ system as atleast you can go for DDR2. 6-8gb of ram is going to be the majority of your purchase I think!

[arthurleung]

I think some of the Cisco software are not 64-bit OS compatible?

[b0redom]

Virtualbox is your friend.

[Jay]

do you have an amp limit for this box? If not just get a DL360G4 from ebay, that should do what you need it to do. It will probably be around 1 amp though.

[wilsonian]

Well speaking to other people who use GNS3 they normally run it on a system with around 4GB Ram so the 6-8GB is prob no longer required.

There is no amp limit to the rack so I could use a DL360G4 - haven't thought of that route - would prob save a few pennies too.
Good Idea