Rackmount Server Build

A

akanekal

New Member
Rackmount Server Build - UPDATE 30/12/06

Updates

Project Intro + Sketchup - 29/12/06

Case + Switch Pics - 30/12/06


Planning

Introduction

Hey everyone,

My name's Amit (akanekal on Bit Tech) and this is my first major case modding/system building project on Computerforum.com. I've been interested in computers for a long, long time now and I've been into networking since primary school (damn, I'm such a geek).

I was introduced to Computerforum by a good friend of mine and CF Moderator, Dragon2309. He will be helping me with some aspects of the build and I'm very grateful of this.

The Build

The aim of this project is to create a rackmount server that will be used to house a low power, Linux running computer system. The sytem will function as a personal webserver and a file server for my home.

In addition to the fuction of the system, aestetics will also be important as I do not want another beige box or ruined mod sitting in my room. I will be incorporating lighting of some sort into the case which must be toggleable on and off on demand.

Specifications

Hardware

Most of the specifications of the system have not been finalised yet but here is a brief summary of possible hardware.

CPU: AMD K6 either 500Mhz or 700MHz/733Mhz
Motherboard: Aopen....
RAM: Either 256mb or 128mb at PC100 or PC133
Case: 4U, to be made from A Maplin Instrument Rack Case
Secondary Display: PS1 LCD

As the case was not originally designed to be used for this purpose, it may have to be modified slightly so that all the components can fit in it correctly. Also, as you can see, I will be modding a PS1 LCD into the front of the rackmount case. This will be used to display current statistics about the system (temperatures, fan speeds, CPU/RAM utilisation etc.).

Software

Operating System: Some Distro of Linux (probably Fedora Core)
Statistics Display: ???
Server Software: Apache, MySQL, Samba

I will be running a Linux distro with a standard LAMP setup and I will also install SAMBA as I will need it for Windows sharing. I don't know what software I'm going to use to display statistics on the second display yet.

Budget/Cost

I will have to try to keep the spend on this project down the a minimum and I am going to put a spending limit at £100. This means that I will have to aquire part in whatever way possible.

Issues

At the moment I have a few issues that need to be solved:

  • What software can I use to display system statistics as described above in Linux?
  • How can I get the secondary display on a second graphics card working through VGA in Linux? (Software setup-wise)
  • Will the stock cooler on the CPU be enough?
  • Is the airflow in the case going to be affected badly by the positioning of the components? (Look at Design section)

I am fully open to suggestions and I would very much appreciate them from the Computerforum community.

Design

Sketchup

Because I suck with Sketchup, Dragon2309 offered to help me with the basic design of the case. Below are some screenshots of the model made in Sketchup. (Since the screenshots were posted, a 120mm fan has been added above the I/O ports on the back of the case, an 80mm fan has been added above the PSU and power/reset buttons and lights have been added)



 
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wow very nice drawing, BUT you might want to think about putting in an exhaust on the case so it will have good cooling


i would put the exhaust fan behind (as low as you can) the CD/DVD drive so draw cool air across the hardware
 
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The_Beast said:
wow very nice drawing,
Click to expand...

Hehehe, you can thank Dragon2309 for that!

The_Beast said:
BUT you might want to think about putting in an exhaust on the case so it will have good cooling


i would put the exhaust fan behind (as low as you can) the CD/DVD drive so draw cool air across the hardware.
Click to expand...

Yup, thats been done. Theres a 120mm fan above the mobo I/O ports and an 80mm fan above the PSU now.
 
I second what the Beast says, you might want some more cooling.]
Edit: oops, i posted after you said that by a small amount of time. That would be adequate then.
 
i just noticed that you will have a PS1 LCD as a monitor

Are you going to put the monitor in front of the fan???
 
joeswm8 said:
go with a sempron 2800+ for $31.50 from newegg
Click to expand...
As akanekal has said, budget is a key aspect to be watching here, so using existing hardware and items whereever possible is a must.

The components will be coming out of an ex-school PC sitting next to me right now. This will help keep costs down without being overkill, lets not forget its a server, not a gaming rig.

Bobo said:
He's using an AMD K6. So exactly why would you recommend a sempron?
Click to expand...
Nicely put bobo...

The_Beast said:
i just noticed that you will have a PS1 LCD as a monitor
Are you going to put the monitor in front of the fan???
Click to expand...
Monitor in front of the fan, well yes, it will be in front of it, but it is on the opposite side of the case... The following picture is of the constantly updating sketchup file that we have been working on. It shows the screen at the front and of course the newly added 80mm and 120mm fans.



This should be getting underway properly within a few weeks. As akanekal has said in the ISSUES section, there are still a few aspects that need t be sorted out, if anyone has any input on these, it would be much appreciated

Thanks all, keep checking back, theres more to come...

dragon2309
 
because a sempron is better... and like no money

and its easy to build a nice $200 balanced 2800 sempron build too
 
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joeswm8 said:
because a sempron is better... and like no money

and its easy to build a nice $200 balanced 2800 sempron build too
Click to expand...
well thats not strictly true.... if it was NO money then we'd all be buying some... As said, budget is key, why spend little money when you could spend NO money....

Also, i reiterate, this is a home server build, there is absolutely no need for anything more than the stated hardware....

dragon2309
 
 
Dude!

Like Dragon said, I'm really trying to keep this at minimum spend. Furthermore buying a Sempron would mean needing to buy a new motherboard too as AMD K6 is Socket 7 and AMD Sempron is Socket 754.

Also, the extra processing power really isn't needed as the system is only going to be used as an internal file server to a home LAN and possible a webserver. These are not exactly CPU stressful activities are they?
 
akanekal said:
Dude!

Like Dragon said, I'm really trying to keep this at minimum spend. Furthermore buying a Sempron would mean needing to buy a new motherboard too as AMD K6 is Socket 7 and AMD Sempron is Socket 754.

Also, the extra processing power really isn't needed as the system is only going to be used as an internal file server to a home LAN and possible a webserver. These are not exactly CPU stressful activities are they?
Click to expand...
Just ignore him, he's never going to shut up.

I can't tell you much about software and Linux, but I can say that you will have enough cooling. I ran a K6-2 system just fine with only the CPU fan. With the 120mm fan in there, unless it is in a very enclosed space, it will run cool enough.
 
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It doesn't matter. We're not a sales agency, we're a computer forum. STOP TRYING TO SELL HIM WHAT HE DOESN'T NEED. Answer his questions. As simple as that.
 
retarded crap, you mean solidly balanced builds that piss you off because you arent the one posting them? and suggestions that help, but they arent yours?

yeah hokay
 
I never said they weren't good. The issue is that you're too ignorant to actually read the thread and do what the original poster asks, and too selfish to admit when you're wrong.

If you want to keep discussing this, IM or PM me, let's keep the forums tidy.
 
Thank you for your input bobo, it's much appreciated. Joeswm8, I'm not too sure what your problem is at the moment, but I sure as hell don't want to carry on experiencing the shock waves of it in mine and my friends thread.

We have BOTH made it abundantly clear to you on more than one occasion that we are NOT willing to pay extra for parts when we have working systems sitting here for FREE. If you read the first post it details the £100 budget we have, thats about what... $220 ish (USD), that would be $200 gone on parts alone, what do you now suppose we spend our $20 (about £12 GBP) on seeing as we need a case, the extra drives, switches, lighting, an actual rackmount server cabinet of some description....? Please if you could fit that into £12 I would actually give the system to you free of charge.

Now seriously, get on topic and just drop the whole thing about extra parts

---------------

OK, Back on topic now, I'm out at work today, when i get back there shall indeed be an update. So for 9hours, i leave you, byeee

dragon2309
 
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