".:mmac:." wrote:

>     Every server I have worked with has been a generic high end motherboard
> white box machine. I have never used an actual "server". I am running
> Exchange2k, web sites and SQL2k on these machines with no noticeable bad
> effects. Emphasis on noticable....
>     I have been trying to figure out a very occaisional SQL timeout and the
> only thing MS PSS can guess is that the machine gets tied up sometimes and
> ignores another machines request for interaction. So they said to go dual
> proc.
>     So I am considering purchasing my first actual server machine, but I
> have to ask you all if its worth it. I am looking at a DL380 Dual proc from
> the refurb dept and even though they are refurb, they are still pretty proud
> of these so before I dive in, can I have some feedback on whether I should
> just get a dual proc workstation or go all the way to the 380.
>     This unit will be the only server and will handle Win2k3 A/D and SQL2k.
> It might handle an internal web site at some point but that usage would be
> tied to the SQL anyway.
>     There are about 12 workstations, 9 of which are cash registers and the
> SQL traffic is minimal. Even on the current "server" the unit is idle most
> of the time.
> Comments please?
>
>
>

"Manny Borges" <MannyBor***@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:DD1ACF49-DD3F-43AE-9189-0A9644B2F0F2@microsoft.com...
> The basic diffrence is hardware and capabilities. But you know that.
> I work primarily with servers, and have grown a disdain for using desktop
> PCs for centralized roles. Much of that is bias. So after thinking about
> the
> question I can stae several generic plusses to servers:
> 1. rackmount, easy storage and access. Add a nice 1u flatpanel KVM and you
> can drastically reduce the evil wires.
> 2. Many servers (most dl380s for example ) have built in raid controllers
> and hot swap bays. A fault tolerant disk loses all street cred if you have
> to
> reboot the serve to repair it.
> 3 Multiple powers supplies
> 4 Typically use registered and ecc ram. More stable and recover single bit
> memory errors.
> 5 replacement parts are available for years and years. This is one of the
> big reasons that most admins think it is irresponsible to use white box
> systems. If your dl380 mobo goes south (unlikley since the quality control
> is
> great) you can replace it with an exact duplicate repair part and not
> worry
> about having to reinstall the whole OS because the back up blue screens
> when
> you restore it.
> 6 I have never seen a high end PC motherboard that can handle 8 GB of ram.
>
>
> That being said, the use you dictate doesn't scream that you need a
> server,
> except that I heard cash registers in the statement. Taking money is a
> fundamental business need. Some would say the only thing a business must
> be
> able to do is take money. Don't play with a whitebox system, would be my
> advice.
>
>
>
> Keep in mind:
> http://h20000.www2.hp.com/bizsupport/CoreRedirect.jsp?targetPage=http%3A%2F%2Fh200002.www2.hp.com%2Fbc%2Fdocs%2Fsupport%2FSupportManual%2Fc00257520%2Fc00257520.pdf
>
>
> ".:mmac:." wrote:
>
>>     Every server I have worked with has been a generic high end
>> motherboard
>> white box machine. I have never used an actual "server". I am running
>> Exchange2k, web sites and SQL2k on these machines with no noticeable bad
>> effects. Emphasis on noticable....
>>     I have been trying to figure out a very occaisional SQL timeout and
>> the
>> only thing MS PSS can guess is that the machine gets tied up sometimes
>> and
>> ignores another machines request for interaction. So they said to go dual
>> proc.
>>     So I am considering purchasing my first actual server machine, but I
>> have to ask you all if its worth it. I am looking at a DL380 Dual proc
>> from
>> the refurb dept and even though they are refurb, they are still pretty
>> proud
>> of these so before I dive in, can I have some feedback on whether I
>> should
>> just get a dual proc workstation or go all the way to the 380.
>>     This unit will be the only server and will handle Win2k3 A/D and
>> SQL2k.
>> It might handle an internal web site at some point but that usage would
>> be
>> tied to the SQL anyway.
>>     There are about 12 workstations, 9 of which are cash registers and
>> the
>> SQL traffic is minimal. Even on the current "server" the unit is idle
>> most
>> of the time.
>> Comments please?
>>
>>
>>

".:mmac:." <lost@sea> wrote in message
news:ubYq2%23KbFHA.3144@TK2MSFTNGP14.phx.gbl...
>    Every server I have worked with has been a generic high end motherboard
> white box machine. I have never used an actual "server". I am running
> Exchange2k, web sites and SQL2k on these machines with no noticeable bad
> effects. Emphasis on noticable....
>    I have been trying to figure out a very occaisional SQL timeout and the
> only thing MS PSS can guess is that the machine gets tied up sometimes and
> ignores another machines request for interaction. So they said to go dual
> proc.
>    So I am considering purchasing my first actual server machine, but I
> have to ask you all if its worth it. I am looking at a DL380 Dual proc
> from the refurb dept and even though they are refurb, they are still
> pretty proud of these so before I dive in, can I have some feedback on
> whether I should just get a dual proc workstation or go all the way to the
> 380.
>    This unit will be the only server and will handle Win2k3 A/D and SQL2k.
> It might handle an internal web site at some point but that usage would be
> tied to the SQL anyway.
>    There are about 12 workstations, 9 of which are cash registers and the
> SQL traffic is minimal. Even on the current "server" the unit is idle most
> of the time.
> Comments please?
>