looking for Blade Server info

[mtutaj]

Tring to understand what is needed, and how it all works to get some working knowledge of this type of setup. I am needing to add some additional render nodes. and am looking at this as a possibility.

 

Thanks,

 

Mike

[Tim Nelson]

I would look into the Tyan barebones servers. I just put together my first 1u machine from scratch and it wasn't too bad. But if I was going to do it again, I think I would just buy a barebones system that already has the motherboard mounted to the chassis. It's just one less thing to worry about if you know that your motherboard and chassis are designed to work together. If you want to build from scratch, Tyan will list on their website which boards are 1u compatible. Really the only specialty part you will need for a 1u is the heatsink & fan for the cpu's that has low clearance. You probably won't need any add on cards, as long as you pick a mb with on board video.

 

Sound is also a factor if your server room is close to your working area. The one I just put together is incredibly loud. I think I could make it a little more quiet, but I would have to pay another $60 for some nicer case fans with a lower db rating. Something I am seriously considering because it's starting to drive me nuts!

 

The boxx render blades look nice too. You will, of course, pay more, but the nice thing is you don't have to put all the time into researching and building. Just order it, set it, and forget it! Unfortunately it looks like they now only offer the socket F for AMD processors, which I'm sure are faster, but also more expensive. The 200 series Opterons that they had a couple weeks ago were a pretty good deal. But right now I think Intel's Xeon Woodcrest line is outshining the AMD Opteron Socket F.

[Tim Nelson]

Oh, as a side note. Unless you already have a dedicated server room with a rackmount setup, it may be easier, cheaper, and just as effective to build regular workstations and use them only as render slaves. Takes up more room, but that is probably the only drawback.

[mtutaj]

Thanks Tim,

 

I do have a server room with 2 file servers and 5 stand alone systems. would like to clean it up since I am going to be adding more systems.

 

I've been debating tring to do a blade server. I know that I will need to add between 5-10 dual core cpus by the middle of next year. I have actually designed my own 2U case. and had it laser cut by one of the subs that we use. He did it as a test for me, so I should have it formed in the next week or 2.

 

Just tring to get the best bang for the buck and not have systems piled on top of each other.

 

I am also going to send you an email.

 

Thanks,

[DavidR]

We got 12 HP dual Opteron 270 blades last year, and the IT guys freaking love them from a space+management POV, and we love their performance. I know that any similarly-specced machine will perform the same, but The IT guys found HP's system very flexible (config), well supported, very competitively priced, and the thing takes no space.