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Talking Out Loud with ASB

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Home Network Virtualization Project, Part 2

When I wrote , I didn't realize that I actually had an . 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  For one thing, the matter of a surviving Intel Pentium2-400 which has not yet been replaced by an AMD Sempron 3400+, although I have the motherboard and case sitting in a corner of my lab.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 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 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 , 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 , or I could roll my own via the 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 .)

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...  Big Smile

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.

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Posted: Sunday, October 14, 2007 7:24 PM by Logik!

Comments

Logik! said:

I'm going to have to look into Open-E DSS some more. It might be an option if I go the custom, build-to-order hardware route:

http://www.open-e.com/data_storage_solution/server/service_and_support.php?lang=en&subserv=prodcomp&hardkind=Tape%20Drive

# October 14, 2007 10:26 PM

Eagle117 said:

Are you sure you want Standard Server on there? I was under the impression that with Microsoft's virtualization you were only allowed one virtual server with standard, 4 virtual servers with Advanced, and unlimited with Datacenter.

# October 15, 2007 10:31 AM

Logik! said:

Good point, but I have sufficient licenses either way.

What running Enterprise Edition will get me is the ability to run 4 instances on a single box from a single license, rather than needed 4 separate licenses.

In most cases, getting 6-8 Standard licenses will cost less than two Enterprise licenses, so I'll still be ahead of the curve...

# October 16, 2007 7:00 AM

Eagle117 said:

Interesting. I did not interpret their website in that way.

# October 16, 2007 3:35 PM

Logik! said:

Yep... Check out the Virtualization FAQ:

http://www.microsoft.com/licensing/highlights/virtualization/faq.mspx

I've also been directed to look at MySAN from Nimbus software for building my own SAN:

http://www.mysan.com/company/pr/2006_08_14.htm

http://www.mysan.com/products/mysan/mysan.htm

I'm very intrigued about this possibility, as I only have to obtain a chassis and some hard drives...

# October 19, 2007 7:10 AM

Talking Out Loud with ASB said:

After many months, and a few miscellaneous upgrades to other parts of my network, I'm finally about to

# March 31, 2008 4:50 PM

Talking Out Loud with ASB said:

On June 26, Microsoft released Hyper-V for Windows Server 2008 to manufacturing. You can download it

# July 1, 2008 9:42 PM
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About Logik!

Andrew S. Baker aka ASB aka Logik!

Andrew is an accomplished, hands-on executive with broad technology expertise and proven track record of generating sustainable business results through implementation of effective processes and controls, design and deployment of superior technology infrastructure, and strategic and tactical leadership of IT teams.

He regularly provides thought leadership on business and technology issues via mailing lists, technical forums, blogs, professional networking groups, as well as contributions to podcasts, webinars, and technical/business magazine articles. Additionally, Andrew holds active roles 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...

View Andrew S. Baker's profile on LinkedIn A condensed version of Andrew's current resume is available here.