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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: | D008CJR3K047 |
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.
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 |
Problems
Note that the servers will not start up without a keyboard attached.
Battery for RAID array accelerator card is bad on Bud, and probably going bad on Budlight. They need to be replaced.
On budlight, the physical drives show as negotiating as NARROW SCSI. This may be due to the bad battery.
The power supply fans on budlight would not start up when we installed the systems at Primary Networks. The BIOS POST noticed this (reported them as fans #5 and #6) and prevented the system from booting. We removed the fan module (which attaches behind the power supply) and re-seated it. The system then started fine.
