Building a server → Need a motherboard

[sulusulu]

I'm building a new server for my boss, and I need a good motherboard to go with it. Reliability is the only thing that is important. Performance is not going to be an issue. This server will be used as the register software server, serve a small MS Access database, and some light file serving. The registers will not run without the sever, so this is a mission critical system.

This system will be running windows 2003 Sever.

The server will need:

- Reliability!!!
- SATA RAID (mirroring) Onboard is a plus but not required.
- Tagged command queuing would be a big plus. But no hardware SATA controllers.
- Onboard LAN a plus
- Onboard video a plus, but flexible
- ECC memory a big plus
- Sound NOT important but needed. Preferably onboard.
- Reliability!!!
- 64bit PCI is NOT needed.
- AMD would be nice for the price if possible, but intel is ok.

I'm thinking about going with something in a Tyan, Intel, or Supermicro (Basically a server board), but I'm open to suggestions.

I'm planning on using a PC Power & Cooling power supply, SATA Seagate hard drives, and I haven't decided on a case yet. Something that will cool the hard drives well with a filter would be nice.

Also, my boss is looking at Dell servers. Any thoughts? Reliable? Longevity?

Thanks in advance!

[GroundZero3]

well i was in the same situation as you as i am building a server for a small network with win2k3. i knew i could build a nice machine for cheap but my main concern was the hardware. if you go with dell or another pre built company you get a warranty, which it me is one of the most important thing.

Dell pays for the shipping to you and back, you dont have to pay for anything. They have packaged deals where you can get replacement parts overnighted to you if there is an issue. Hardware doesnt die out often, but when it does and if its a motherboard issue, getting a new one ASAP is the most important thing. Espically if the server is mission critical.

I would seriously look into any place that offers a great small business warranty

[sulusulu]

The idea is to biuld a sytem that will not fail for a long time. If the system does fail it would need to be fixed the same day since it runs the regitsters. So, even if dell sent the part nextday we would still have to run someware to get a part to fix it the same day. Sending the server someware to be fixed is not an option. Setting up a redundent system would be to expensive. As far as installing hardware goes we can do that ourselves.

A nice warrenty would be great but we can get an extended warrenty on anything we get at newegg and PC Power & Cooling PSU comes with a 5 yr warrenty.

[GroundZero3]

well if its that critical then you might want to set up a second machine (lower end) to be a back up if the main server fails

[bombledmonk]

If it is truely mission critical, I would not build it myself. If Dell does gets chosen, just make sure that the quickest service plan is chosen. They have 4 hour response plans...

[sulusulu]

Having a second server would be the best way to do this but it would cost to much. I guess what I really want to avoid here are motherboard and PSU failures. A RAID 1 array should take care of HD failures. I'm just afraid that Dell might cut to many corners with their motherboards/PSU and that we could have a motherboard/PSU failure. Even if it's under warrenty it would leave us in a tight spot.

[sulusulu]

Any thoughts on HP or IBM?

[John Prophet]

there are many many good motherboards etc on the market...

you COULD just buy 2 of the same boards in case the board ever failed and maybe a spare cpu and power supply...then just keep good backups

[athlonxpguy]

Well, if you build a system and have a component failure, it will take time to replace. So i can't see your response time any quicker than Dell's. I would go with Dell or HP personally if reliability is that important.

And i would not be using SATA drives either! It would be SCSI all the way.

[sulusulu]

If the server did fail it would have to be fixed ASAP. So, even if the part was under warrenty it would have to be replaced with a part from a local store. I want to avoid having to replace any parts for as long as possible. Thant's why I'm thinking about biulding a server useing high quality, server oriented parts.

What it really boils down to is this: Are Dell servers as reliable in the long run as a system I could biuld with high quality parts?

P.S. My boss doesn't want to pay for the 4hr service plan.

[athlonxpguy]

If things are that critical, I would go with 2 servers. One for fault tolerance. Dell makes good servers, and so does HP (Compaq)

[Xtreeme]

"I'm thinking about going with something in a Tyan, Intel, or Supermicro (Basically a server board), but I'm open to suggestions."

Tyan all the way with servers IMHO. Great high end boards for workstations/servers. When reliability and speed is the issue they dont let you down.

"Dell makes good servers, and so does HP (Compaq)"

Blah/. Ya, if you call reliable not getting your pc fixed in a timely manner. OR being on hold for hours. Nah-be the tech, build it, know how to fix it. And answer to no one. Sides that great 3 years warrenty they offer up front. Like 1 is on the parts-the rest is the crap quality phone tech support. So many think the warrenty is mroe then that! And yet its why most choose them. Hole thing is a farse. Having said that dell is the worst. Ive used Compaq servers and they are pretty good. The bios being on HDD is odd at first to deal with. I havent used any HP ones so cant comment there. But like I said tech support is horrible.