This is an old revision of the document!
Table of Contents
Hardware Info
This is a description of the hardware being used for our new Linux servers.
Hardware
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.
| Serial numbers | |
|---|---|
| bud: | D008CJR3K042 |
| budlight: | |
It did take some work to get the servers up and running.
We tested the hot-swappable power supply units by pulling one while the system was running. Note that there are 2 plugs in the back that both need to be plugged in — 1 for each PSU.
Firmware Configuration
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 3 hard drives in the RAID 5 set, and 1 as a spare in the array. 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.
On B system, physical drives show as negotiating as NARROW SCSI. carl has configured the array A as Raid 5 + standby spare but on boot it has all 4 drives red and reports drives not communicating, possible SCSI error.
We set the system clock to GMT.
Specs
| Bud and Budlight | |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer: | Compaq (now HP) |
| Model: | ProLiant 6400R |
| CPU: | 4 x 550 MHz Pentium III |
| RAM: | 4 GB |
| HD: | 4 x 18 GB, attached to RAID controller |
| NICs: | Compaq NC3131 (2 in bud, 1 in budlight) |
| Case: | 4U rackmount (deep, probably 26") |
| PSU: | Redundant hot-swappable power supplies |
Old New Hardware
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.
| Loaner from Craig | |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer: | F5 (mainly known for their BigIP load balancers) |
| Model: | 3-DNS (DNS appliance) |
| CPU: | 850 MHz Pentium III, socket for a 2nd CPU |
| RAM: | 512 MB |
| HD: | 30 GB IDE |
| NICs: | 2 Intel 100 Mbps (one on-board, one PCI) |
| Case: | 2U rackmount |
