Home Network Virtualization Project, Part 2
When I wrote part 1 of the home network virtualization project, I didn't realize that I actually had an updated network diagram available. I created it last October, but never posted it -- for reasons which completely escape me right now. I suppose that I was waiting until I actually performed the upgrades at the end year before I would post it.
With just a couple of exceptions, this diagram is pretty accurate, though. For one thing, the matter of a surviving Intel Pentium2-400 which has not yet been replaced by an AMD Sempron 3400+, although I have the motherboard and case sitting in a corner of my lab. The diagram also doesn't reflect my little 500GB NAS device that's getting full.
As I mentioned in my previous post, however, it's the new changes that I'm contemplating that will have a significant impact on my network configuration. I really need to look at virtualization so that I can consolidate my five existing servers down to two, while still obtaining better performance and redundancy.
While nothing would please me more than being able to get a couple of HP DL380 or 385 servers as my virtual hosts, I'll be able to get a bit more merchandise for the money by going with a custom server builder, like:
I'd even be willing to settle for a refurbished Dell server, but they're not selling any of the configurations that I desire...
The config below is what I'm aiming for:
| Virtualization Host: 4-6 VMs w/Local Storage |
| Server Chassis: | 2U Server Chassis w/6 Hot-Swap Drives (e.g. HP DL380/385) |
| CPU: | Dual Proc -- 2.0+ Ghz Dual Core CPU with large CPU cache |
| RAM: | 8GB RAM - Dual Channel |
| Disk 0: | 120GB Hard Disk (SATA II) |
| Disk 1: | 120GB Hard Disk (SATA II) |
| Disk 2: | 250GB Hard Disk (SATA II) |
| Disk 3: | 250GB Hard Disk (SATA II) |
| Disk 4: | 250GB Hard Disk (SATA II) |
| Disk 5: | 250GB Hard Disk (SATA II) |
| Disk Controller: | Multi-Channel RAID Controller (RAID1, RAID10) |
| Optical Drive: | DVD-ROM |
| Floppy Drive: | Standard 1.44MB Floppy |
| Networking: | GigE Network Card (2 each) |
| Video: | Standard Server Video |
| Power Supply: | Redundant Power Supply |
| Miscellaneous: | n/a |
| OS Support: | Windows Server 2003 R2, x64 Standard Edition |
| Other Software: | VMWare Server -OR- Microsoft Virtual Server 2005 R2 |
| | |
The other device I really, really need on my network at this point is a nice iSCSI SAN. Of course, there are many ways to go about getting one. I could go with an appliance like an iStor S325, or I could roll my own via the Open-iSCSI project. Looking at my current storage utilization, I have about 2TB of data stashed across different devices on the network. And it's growing daily as I add streaming audio and video from various Internet broadcasts.
From a budgeting standpoint, this proposed network upgrade is definitely non-trivial. So far, I'm coming up with $3-4K per server in this arrangement. And a decent iSCSI SAN can range from $2K to $12K for the 6 to 8TB of storage that I'd like to put together. (Besides current storage requirements, I'm very interested in performing disk-to-disk backups at the block level.)
That puts this project in the $6-22K range, depending on how new the equipment is, how much of it I put together myself, and how much software is involved. My timeframe is March/April 2008, but it's a matter of funding or time, and presently, I lack both... 
That's not going to stop me from refining this plan as I close out the year. I have a similar project going on at work right now, on a larger scale, and I'll get a better idea of what my options are by the time that bigger project is complete.
About Logik!
Andrew S. Baker aka ASB aka Logik!
Andrew S. Baker is a business-savvy, hands-on IT leader with expertise in mentoring people, mitigating risk, and integrating technology to drive innovation and maximize business results. He creates competitive advantage for organizations through effective IT leadership: implementation of processes and controls, and architecture of robust business solutions.
Mr. Baker has successfully led a number of high-performance technology teams in designing, deploying and maintaining secure, cost-effective computing environments for well-known companies, including Warner Music Group, The Princeton Review, Bear Stearns, About.com, and Lewco Securities.
For over a decade, Andrew has exhibited thought leadership on technology and business topics via mailing lists, technical forums, blogs, and professional networking groups, along with contributions to podcasts, webinars, and over 20 technical/business magazine articles. He also serves on several boards and committees for non-profit organizations, and within the Seventh-day Adventist church.
His personal interests include Astronomy, Basketball, Bible Study, Chess, Comics, Computers,
Family Life Ministries, Reading, Strategy/Role Playing games, and Professional Networking...
A summary of Andrew's current résumé is available here, and he can be reached on a variety of social and professional networks, including LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter.