Server Recommendations??
Joe DeBiso
I have a client who needs a new server. I normally do HP/Compaq. He does
not want them! Any suggestions?? I need a good size machine with same day
onsite support vailable. Like dual 1.7mhz, raid, 1gb ram. 36gb disk
minimun. I need to run OpenServer 5.
Thanks!
Joe
Ken Wolff
Joe,
I've had great luck with DELL servers. Their Perc raid controllers work
fine with OSR506 (and 505). You can get hot swapable/redundant drives and
power supplies on these. Honestly though we never have had to place a
service call. Hope this helps.
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Ken Wolff
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Steve Gardiner
most of them with 4 hour response contracts. I don't often have problems.
When I need a part replaced, they're very prompt. I've had them out at
midnight, Sunday afternoon, and all hours in between.
Steve
Joe DeBiso
matter. They said they will go to another vendor if I can't provide
something else. They must have been burned at some point??
Joe
"Steve Gardiner" <ste...@drapers.com> wrote in message
news:3DB029EF...@drapers.com...
Tony Lawrence
> I'm curious why they don't like Compaq. I have a dozen or so Compaq servers,
> most of them with 4 hour response contracts. I don't often have problems.
> When I need a part replaced, they're very prompt. I've had them out at
> midnight, Sunday afternoon, and all hours in between.
A few reasons I don't like Compaq (and none of these necessarily stop
me from using their machines; just general gripes):
1) The hardware is often bleeding edge and Unixish OSes tend not to be
aware of it or to have strange problems- sometimes Compaq resolves this
kind of thing quickly and well but sometimes they don't. When they
don't, it can be hellish. There we are with a very expensive box that
was supposed to work and it doesn't, or it doesn't completely- very
annoying. I do have to say that MOSTLY they've been real quick to fix
this kind of thing.
2) Just about everything in the box, sometimes even the screws, is
proprietary. If you want to add a tape drive or dvdram or whatever you
usually have to buy special rails from Compaq. If your power supply
fails, you probably can't run down to your local store and replace it.
3) As to service contracts, yeah, they can be pretty good- better than
most I guess (but also more costly). On the other hand, if you aren't
running Windows the onsite people are usually pretty helpless so you
need someone who isn't to be there with them. Of course that's true for
just about any vendor- though lately I've actually had techs who know a
little Linux- refreshing, though a scary data point for Microsoft :-)
--
Please note new phone number: (781) 784-7547
Tony Lawrence
SCO/Linux Support Tips, How-To's, Tests and more: http://pcunix.com
Free Unix/Linux Consultants list: http://pcunix.com/consultants.html
Scott McMillan
wrote:
Along with Compaq, we have used Dell PowerEdge and IBM e-series
servers. Both Dell and IBM have had very good response times when
called upon for support (in our case, anyway). The problem we have
with IBM is getting our hands on the system - They have a habit of
holding the entire order if any single item is not available.
I've read here that Dell is placing RAID controllers in their servers
that don't have corresponding SCO OSR5 drivers. IBM's RAID offering
works well with OSR5 - At least in the servers we've dealt with.
Scott McMillan
Ken Wolff
The Perc raid controller is, I believe an AMI controller. Using the
standard amird drivers have worked fine for us. The last DELL we purchased
was a few months back so they may have changed controllers, and I believe
there is maybe one person at DELL support with SCO knowledge. But if the
server does have a Perc controller, the amird driver works.
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Ken Wolff
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Scott McMillan
wrote:
Well, not exactly. Dell sells many versions of the Perc controller -
the models of which escape me right now - which use the AMI chipset as
well as the Adaptec chipset (see Bob Meyers' post - "Anyone used an
Adaptec 2200S RAID?" - earlier). AFAIK, Dell also suppli[es, ed] an
embedded RAID controller on some of their models, which was/is not SCO
OSR5 compatible.
Best to check the driver availability online _before_ investing in a
new server, just in case. And even that can get dicey, as Dell
doesn't always make their drivers easily available on their website.
Scott McMillan
Ken Wolff
>Well, not exactly. Dell sells many versions of the Perc controller -
>the models of which escape me right now - which use the AMI chipset as
>well as the Adaptec chipset (see Bob Meyers' post - "Anyone used an
>Adaptec 2200S RAID?" - earlier). AFAIK, Dell also suppli[es, ed] an
>embedded RAID controller on some of their models, which was/is not SCO
>OSR5 compatible.
>
>Best to check the driver availability online _before_ investing in a
>new server, just in case. And even that can get dicey, as Dell
>doesn't always make their drivers easily available on their website.
>
>
>Scott McMillan
I do agree Scott. We have not run into any problems with the Perc's we
have, all amird. Doesn't mean that is what will be shiped next week. To
be safe, one could get their own controller after the fact, but the
original poster was looking for an all in one solution with on site
service. Our Dell 6400 and 2500's work fine. But you do need to do
homework when it comes to raid.
I also agree with Tony regarding Compaq's servers. I've work with a few of
them and between drive rails, screws and special patches needed from
Compaq, I chose not to use them any more. Also, since HP is Compaq (or
Compaq is HP), I have been staying away from them.
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Ken Wolff
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Bob Meyers
"Scott McMillan" <sm...@usa.net> wrote in message
news:61d0ru8bgqkr0t8te...@4ax.com...
I have read it from the horse's mouth: Dell is tossing the 2500 with
Perc3/di, new model is 2600 and it is, as Tony says, bleeding edge. Dell
said flat out, after a long bout of research, "the 2600 will not run SCO
5.0.6".
Then the horse hung up the phone, busting it with his steel shoe.
Bob Meyers
"Ken Wolff" <kenw...@iserv.net> wrote in message
news:5.1.0.14.2.200210...@mail.iserv.net...
> I do agree Scott. We have not run into any problems with the Perc's we
> have, all amird. Doesn't mean that is what will be shiped next week. To
> be safe, one could get their own controller after the fact, but the
> original poster was looking for an all in one solution with on site
> service. Our Dell 6400 and 2500's work fine. But you do need to do
> homework when it comes to raid.
>
by numerous manufacturers: AMI, Adaptec, and so on. Each "Perc" has a
different submodel number - hence the change in OEM deal.
Doug Robinson
We use IBM Netfinity servers inhouse (as do many of our customers,) and I
lke the feature that includes the guy with a car and a screw driver.
They always show up to fix them (after the lightning strike for instance)
and we are back in business in no time. They also go like the wind. We
have others but these are the favoites.fdr
Mike Brown
It may be worthwhile asking your customer what the issue is so that you
can make sure not to set them up with a different vendor that may have
the same problem. Compaq/HP does show an interest in supporting SCO
that may other vendors do not. I just finished a week at the HPETS
( HP Enterprise Technical Symposium ) and came away with the message
that HP/Compaq is trying hard to be #1 in the SCO arena.
It doesn't mean that some circumstance can be unsatisfactory for a
customer, for what ever reason.
If you do every find out what happened, I would be interested in
hearing the details.
Mike
--
Michael Brown
The Kingsway Group