New Custom Build for Server Application

[AgentCipher]

Hey all,

My boss decided that we need to network all of our computers together in our research laboratory for data backup and storage (after we just had a HD fail). However, he's adamant against a home build for warranty reasons, so he's leaving it to me to get some information.

However, after wading through the muck of the Dell, IBM, Lenovo, and HP websites and seeing myself being ridiculously overcharged, I decided to move towards the custom-build companies geared towards gamers. I was just coming here for testimonials of different companies you know/like. The only one I really know of is Ibuypower.

The basic thing we're looking for is the ability to get large hard drive space (1 - 2 TB) in a RAID1 configuration.

Thanks!

 

[Zap]

If it isn't your money, just do what your boss says. Big companies like Dell, etc. have larger service networks in place specifically to support businesses. Yes, it will cost you, but if it breaks down you will get your replacement within a certain amount of time.

If a home built (or boutique builder) system breaks for any reason your boss may blame you because you didn't do as he said.

 

[mfenn]

Hell no, do not custom build a server for work. A server from a Tier 1 vendor (IBM, Dell, HP) is going to cost most than the sum of its parts, but that's not what you're really paying for. What you're paying for is the service and support, as well as the guarantee that you will be able to get next business parts for it 5 years down the line. This might sound harsh, but IMHO you deserve to be fired if you custom build a server for work and a failure costs the company money.

It sounds like your need are fairly basic and you don't have a lot of infrastructure in place, so I'd recommend the Dell T-series of tower servers. Specifically, you can get a T110 with a Xeon X3430, 4GB of RAM, two 1TB HDDs behind a PERC H200 and a 3 year NBD onsite warranty for about $1300. That's pretty reasonable in the grand scheme of things. A Windows Server R2 license is another $700 or so.