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19K views 293 replies 19 participants last post by  Liranan 
#1 ·
I am looking for a server that will be running a VM of Windows Home Server 2011 for home use and another VM that will just be minecraft servers. I have seen these options.

DELL CS24-TY

DELL POWEREDGE C1100

I basically need something that has alot of ram, pretty good cpus, and a fair amount of hdd space.
Will these work?

*edit* Most of the actual build and technical questions in are the 3rd page and on.
 
#2 ·
Great links.
wink.gif


I say go for the C1100. Minecraft is single threaded (at least it was the last I checked) so those additional 2 cores per CPU don't really matter. Also, Minecraft loves RAM so definitely go with the C1100 that has 72GB of RAM. With the money you saved, buy an SSD as your Minecraft drive (or a couple 15K SAS drives to put in RAID 10).

Heck, with 72GB of RAM you could easily build out a RAMdisk for your Minecraft worlds and run them from there, while backing them up to spindle drives.

I also recommend using MineOS CRUX as your OS for your Minecraft VM. You can manage your worlds, backups, start/stop, and even create RAMdisks all from a web GUI. So nice.
 
#3 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by tycoonbob View Post

Great links.
wink.gif


I say go for the C1100. Minecraft is single threaded (at least it was the last I checked) so those additional 2 cores per CPU don't really matter. Also, Minecraft loves RAM so definitely go with the C1100 that has 72GB of RAM. With the money you saved, buy an SSD as your Minecraft drive (or a couple 15K SAS drives to put in RAID 10).

Heck, with 72GB of RAM you could easily build out a RAMdisk for your Minecraft worlds and run them from there, while backing them up to spindle drives.

I also recommend using MineOS CRUX as your OS for your Minecraft VM. You can manage your worlds, backups, start/stop, and even create RAMdisks all from a web GUI. So nice.
Would the system be fine with a VM of windows home server 2011?
 
#4 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by xNovax View Post

Would the system be fine with a VM of windows home server 2011?
Of course. Use the hypervisor of your choice (I prefer Hyper-V if there aare any Windows VMs) and you can run up to 30 modest VMs with that server. Tons of smaller Linux based VMs if you wanted.
 
#5 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by tycoonbob View Post

Of course. Use the hypervisor of your choice (I prefer Hyper-V if there aare any Windows VMs) and you can run up to 30 modest VMs with that server. Tons of smaller Linux based VMs if you wanted.
Ok, Looks like I will be getting this instead of a new monitor. Do you think I should go for the model with dual 6 cores and 72 GB of ram for expandability or the one with dual 4 cores and 72 GB of ram?
 
#8 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by xNovax View Post

Ok, Looks like I will be getting this instead of a new monitor. Do you think I should go for the model with dual 6 cores and 72 GB of ram for expandability or the one with dual 4 cores and 72 GB of ram?
For hosting a few VMs and Minecraft servers, save the money and go with the quad cores. Keep in mind that these CPUs have hyperthreading, so that's 8 cores but 16 threads. The six cores are nice, and give you a total of 12 cores and 24 threads, but you don't exactly NEED them for what you are doing, I promise. If you want to spend the extra money, go for it.
Quote:
Originally Posted by xNovax View Post

Here are my options.

1

2

3

4

5

Which should I go with? I don't know about multiple nodes, it just seems like it would be more work to set up and have running.
Well first off, 4 and 5 are the same thing. The difference is that #4 has a $45 shipping cost, and #5 does not. I also don't recommend #2 because it uses the X5560. The great thing about using the Xeon L5520 is they are low power CPUs.
So it comes down to 1, 3, and 5. I like the C6100s, and it's pretty much like having 4 C1100s, but they share a single PSU and they only have 3 drives each. For my C1100s, I like to have a 60GB SSD (OS), 500GB SSD (high IOPS for VMs), 2 x 3TB 7200RPM drives (RAID 1 for local backups, and low IOPS VMs), so for me the C6100 isn't an option.

That leaves #1 and #3. They are the same except for the CPU.I assure you that #1 will have more power than you will known what to do with, and it can be easy to think that you want the six core. The six core has a slightly slower clock speed, and for single threaded applications (such as Minecraft) that will make a difference. If you feel like paying $230 more to gain 4 more cores (8 more threads), and don't mind the slightly lower clock speed, go for #3. I still say go for #1 though, the price for what you are getting just cannot be beat.
Quote:
Originally Posted by xNovax View Post

Should I get a rack at first?
Only if you want one. My C1100s are not in a rack currently, but they will be eventually. If you want a rack, be patient and watch Craigslist in your area (if you live in a larger area). You could even get build a Lack Rack for it since it's just a little 1U server.
 
#9 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by tycoonbob View Post

For hosting a few VMs and Minecraft servers, save the money and go with the quad cores. Keep in mind that these CPUs have hyperthreading, so that's 8 cores but 16 threads. The six cores are nice, and give you a total of 12 cores and 24 threads, but you don't exactly NEED them for what you are doing, I promise. If you want to spend the extra money, go for it.
Well first off, 4 and 5 are the same thing. The difference is that #4 has a $45 shipping cost, and #5 does not. I also don't recommend #2 because it uses the X5560. The great thing about using the Xeon L5520 is they are low power CPUs.
So it comes down to 1, 3, and 5. I like the C6100s, and it's pretty much like having 4 C1100s, but they share a single PSU and they only have 3 drives each. For my C1100s, I like to have a 60GB SSD (OS), 500GB SSD (high IOPS for VMs), 2 x 3TB 7200RPM drives (RAID 1 for local backups, and low IOPS VMs), so for me the C6100 isn't an option.

That leaves #1 and #3. They are the same except for the CPU.I assure you that #1 will have more power than you will known what to do with, and it can be easy to think that you want the six core. The six core has a slightly slower clock speed, and for single threaded applications (such as Minecraft) that will make a difference. If you feel like paying $230 more to gain 4 more cores (8 more threads), and don't mind the slightly lower clock speed, go for #3. I still say go for #1 though, the price for what you are getting just cannot be beat.
Only if you want one. My C1100s are not in a rack currently, but they will be eventually. If you want a rack, be patient and watch Craigslist in your area (if you live in a larger area). You could even get build a Lack Rack for it since it's just a little 1U server.
Im looking at this

Rack

Also sorry about 4 and 5 I just realized.
tongue.gif
 
#10 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by xNovax View Post

Im looking at this

Rack

Also sorry about 4 and 5 I just realized.
tongue.gif
Honestly, a rack is a rack. Seeing how you are in Canada is that is local pickup in Maryland, I don't see that being logical for you to go get, and even if shipping was free, $320 for a 42U is expensive when you can get used ones on Craigslist for like $100.
 
#12 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by xNovax View Post

How loud do you think the server will be?
It can be considered loud at first start up, but after about 4.5 minutes it really quiets down. Do I think you want to run it in your bedroom? No. A closet, basement, or home office? Not a problem. My custom storage server is louder than my C1100s, so I think they are pretty calm (but definitely not silent). Here is a video I made that might give you some insight:
 
#13 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by tycoonbob View Post

It can be considered loud at first start up, but after about 4.5 minutes it really quiets down. Do I think you want to run it in your bedroom? No. A closet, basement, or home office? Not a problem. My custom storage server is louder than my C1100s, so I think they are pretty calm (but definitely not silent). Here is a video I made that might give you some insight:
Ok, that should be fine. It is going into a computer room so it should be fine. I just didn't want a blender going on in my computer room.
 
#15 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by xNovax View Post

I can't decide. I am going to get either of these.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/200940792426?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=200943931581&ssPageName=ADME:X:AAQ:US:1123

The first one will be all I need for a long long long time but it is twice the money and has less RAM per computer.
If you plan on running all 4 nodes of the C6100, keep in mind that you only have 3 drives per. That's my biggest problem.
 
#17 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by xNovax View Post

Can you not get an external HDD server for it?
You can easily, but speeds will be slower while transferring data. I like everything to be internal, so I dont have to worry about extra parts, but that is completely up to you!
Also If I was you, I would save $145, and get this one, http://www.ebay.com/itm/DELL-POWEREDGE-C6100-XS23-TY3-2U-4-x-HOT-PLUG-NODES-8-x-2-26GHz-QC-L5520-96GB-/121145333519?pt=COMP_EN_Servers&hash=item1c34d3170f.
Unless you are for certain you are going to need 32gb per node. I know it wouldnt be for a minecraft server, because you would need higher bandwidth before you hit that ram cap, but then again I only have a vague idea on what you are wanting to do.
Thanks,

Steve
 
#18 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by badboy2020 View Post

You can easily, but speeds will be slower while transferring data. I like everything to be internal, so I dont have to worry about extra parts, but that is completely up to you!
Also If I was you, I would save $145, and get this one, http://www.ebay.com/itm/DELL-POWEREDGE-C6100-XS23-TY3-2U-4-x-HOT-PLUG-NODES-8-x-2-26GHz-QC-L5520-96GB-/121145333519?pt=COMP_EN_Servers&hash=item1c34d3170f.
Unless you are for certain you are going to need 32gb per node. I know it wouldnt be for a minecraft server, because you would need higher bandwidth before you hit that ram cap, but then again I only have a vague idea on what you are wanting to do.
Thanks,

Steve
What about something like this for storage?
http://www.ebay.com/itm/130949270450
 
#19 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by badboy2020 View Post

You can easily, but speeds will be slower while transferring data. I like everything to be internal, so I dont have to worry about extra parts, but that is completely up to you!
Also If I was you, I would save $145, and get this one, http://www.ebay.com/itm/DELL-POWEREDGE-C6100-XS23-TY3-2U-4-x-HOT-PLUG-NODES-8-x-2-26GHz-QC-L5520-96GB-/121145333519?pt=COMP_EN_Servers&hash=item1c34d3170f.
Unless you are for certain you are going to need 32gb per node. I know it wouldnt be for a minecraft server, because you would need higher bandwidth before you hit that ram cap, but then again I only have a vague idea on what you are wanting to do.
Thanks,

Steve
I want to be able to run Windows Home Server 2011 for home use, have multiple minecraft servers running concurrently, and be able to experiment with some vms.
 
#20 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by xNovax View Post

What about something like this for storage?
http://www.ebay.com/itm/130949270450
Yeah, that's a cheap storage container. But that storage chassis is for Fibre Channel hard drives and Fibre Channel networking. You would have to buy a Fibre Channel switch and adapters for each node of the C6100, and you are talking a lot of money for all of that.
Quote:
Originally Posted by xNovax View Post

I want to be able to run Windows Home Server 2011 for home use, have multiple minecraft servers running concurrently, and be able to experiment with some vms.
You would definitely be able to do that with the C1100 with 72GB of RAM, which is still my recommendation.
 
#21 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by tycoonbob View Post

Yeah, that's a cheap storage container. But that storage chassis is for Fibre Channel hard drives and Fibre Channel networking. You would have to buy a Fibre Channel switch and adapters for each node of the C6100, and you are talking a lot of money for all of that.
You would definitely be able to do that with the C1100 with 72GB of RAM, which is still my recommendation.
How do I expand my storage on the C1100?
 
#22 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by xNovax View Post

How do I expand my storage on the C1100?
Direct Attached Storage or Network Attached Storage, is the easiest way. You could buy a pre-built NAS from Synology, Thecus, Drobo, QNAP, etc and just put that on your network and use that for the C1100.
 
#23 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by tycoonbob View Post

Direct Attached Storage or Network Attached Storage, is the easiest way. You could buy a pre-built NAS from Synology, Thecus, Drobo, QNAP, etc and just put that on your network and use that for the C1100.
Thats one of the reasons I want to go with the server. I want to stay away from the prebuilt NAS.
 
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