This is a description of the hardware being used for our new Linux servers.

We bought 2 Compaq ProLiant 6400R systems for $650 from a member who posted them on our mailing list. Both systems are maxed out with RAM and CPU, and he threw in some spare CPUs and PSUs. We thought it was a pretty good deal for the price. It did take some work to get them up and running though; we had some difficulty getting the hardware working.

To configure the RAID array and the hardware, we had to download, burn, and boot the HP SmartStart CD. SmartStart version 5.50 is required for these systems. SmartStart 7.x does NOT support these systems.

We first configured the drive array, to place all 4 hard drives in the RAID 5 set. Then we created the system partition, to hold the Compaq System Configuration Utilities. We then installed the System Configuration to the partition, and the ran the System Configuration Utilities.

The plan was to use a Compaq ProLiant 5000R as bud, and another ProLiant as budlight. However, we weren't able to get Debian installer to recognize the Compaq SMART-2/P Array Controller (even though it has been supported by Linux for a long time now) and the second ProLiant never materialized.

In order to install and configure a system to get started with, Craig donated another rackmount system for us to use as a loaner, until we got some new permanent systems.