On Tue, Apr 06, 2004 at 10:31:02PM -0700, Jimmy Wales wrote:
Going under the assumption that we will be buying a new db server to replace geoffrin, please everyone take a look at: http://www.siliconmechanics.com/
and help me decide on a suitable configuration. Assume a budget of $9,000-$10,000, but don't hesitate to go under (of course!) or over (if for a good reason!).
RAID 10? That's what geoffrin had, and it was sweet. But RAID 5 would give more disk space, right?
We have two needs from what I see: * Fast database disks and * large disks to store log files, dumps, etc
As it is hard to cover these needs with only one type of disks, we should use two types of disks for these needs.
What are our disk requirements for the db server? Let's be generous with ourselves here. But, also let's think about whether disk space needs might in some cases be better handled by a big slow cheap SATA storage server?
Small faster SATAs for the DB, big slower disks for the dumps.
We have a crucial responsibility to be good stewards of our donor's money. That means two things -- first, we don't buy hardware just because it sounds cool, but to meet specific needs. But second, the money wasn't given to us to sit in the bank forever, it's to give the donors what they want -- a fast fast wikipedia. So we should not be cheapskates, either.
Proposed config:
SM 2880SATA 2* Opteron 240 # CPU is idle, I/O is the bottle neck # Would one CPU be sufficient to cover # current needs? 8 GB RAM # You can't replace RAM by anything but RAM 3Ware 8 Port SATA RAID 4* WD 10Krpm 74 Gig # the faster ones for the data base. # no 15Krpm ones. But we have RAM to handle # this. RAID 10. 148 Gig net capacity 2* WD 7.2Krpm 250 Gig # The big ones for the dumps. Hotswap Power Supply # I'm a paranoid coward. And having a RAID # for the disks but only one PS seems # pointless.
Total price: 7,576 US$.
Maintenance upgrade to 5*8 next business day on site is at 415 US$. Perhaps service is better when they have to come to us instead of us having to send them the server.
Overall CapEx: 7,991 US$
Regards,
JeLuF