I've been using SuperMicro from ABMX (www.abmx.com) and have been very happy. ABMX offers a number different of storage servers, but I prefer to use the 2U (226SB7-8) and add my own SuperMicro AOC-SAT2-MV8 card for 8 drives (I'm doing all my RAID using AFR in Gluster). This gives you 16Tb for less than US $3000. If you need 10G, SuperMicro also makes adapter (AOC-EXPX9502FXSR). Quick Google for the 10Gb adapter shows it for $492.79 from http://www.pcconnection.com/1/1/143396-supermicro-standard-low-profile-2-port-10 -gigabit-ethernet-lan-card-aoc-stg-i2.html. I'm sure you could also use other 10Gb cards as well. Configured machine with Intel Core2Duo E7500, 8Gb memory, 8 x 2Tb drives, KVM over LAN, dual 1Gb Ethernet, redundant power supplies, and a 3 year (depot) warranty will run you about US $2800. I'm getting 30+Mb per second to my mirrored servers (via AFR). By using AOC-SAT2-MV8 card and using Gluster to do all my RAID-ing, I get 100% of my storage (well actually 50%, but full 50%) and there's no real reason to use the more expensive "RAID certified" (and more expensive) hard drives. I've had two of these machines in production since last December and love them. I've used other ABMX hardware for probably 5 years and have been very satisfied with their reliability and their service (when required). At their prices, I find I can usually buy a spare. Hope info helps, Larry Bates vitalEsafe, Inc. ------------------------------ Message: 3 Date: Fri, 24 Sep 2010 14:30:55 +0200 From: Janne Aho <janne at citynetwork.se> Subject: Hardware advice? To: gluster-users at gluster.org Message-ID: <4C9C99FF.2050706 at citynetwork.se> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8; format=flowed Hi, We are looking into setting up a glusterfs cluster to store VM images (for KVM and VMware). Usually we have machines from Dell, but we haven't found any good machine to use which allows a good amount of disk space and possibility to have at least 4 NICs (we are thinking about using 10 gigabit network, otherwise we need to bond and use more NICs). Sure we could buy just off the shelf stuff to keep the cost down, but we are looking for having a good hardware support (to be sure if something breaks down, that we will get spare parts). Does anyone here have suggestion on hardware that can do the following: 1. having iDrac or similar (remote access to console) 2. at least 4 NICs which can be 10 gigabit (this for redundancy). 3. have an architecture which is supported by gluster (with other words no mc68k). 4. having space enough for a good amount of disks or jbod that can be connected to the machine (please no suggestion on Promise jbods). 5. It has to be rack mounted If suggesting something else than Dell, please give some price indication on the hardware, don't care if it's accurate or not, just that I get some understanding if it's something that can fit our budget. Thanks in advance for your replies. -- Janne Aho (Developer) | City Network Hosting AB - www.citynetwork.se Phone: +46 455 690022 | Cell: +46 733 312775 EMail/MSN: janne at citynetwork.se ICQ: 567311547 | Skype: janne_mz | AIM: janne4cn | Gadu: 16275665 ------------------------------
