I'm looking to buy a server on the CHEAP that I can use as a testbed at
home for Docker, HyperV, and probably to run the BBS. I'm looking for
something low-end, doesn't need to be high-availability (I'm content with opening the case and swapping SATA drives, don't need hot-swap bays or two power supplies.

The Dell Optiplex 990s tower desktop PCs a few years back had Intel RAID on
the motherboard, I could do a desktop as long as it had room for a couple
of drives. I don't know if I need RAID 5, mirroring might be good enough.
If I did a desktop, I'd need at least an i5 to be able to run HyperV.

Does anyone have any recommendations online for something like this?

I've been poking around NewEgg, and there's a ton of server systems. I've
seen a ton of HP and Dell models, not a clue as to what differentiates the models.

Any and all suggestions, feedback, and experiences welcome.

... "I speak to machines with the voice of Humanity..."
--- MultiMail/XT v0.51
■ Synchronet ■ realitycheckBBS -- http://realitycheckBBS.org

Re: Looking for server hardware
By: poindexter FORTRAN to All on Fri Mar 08 2019 09:43 am

I'm looking to buy a server on the CHEAP that I can use as a testbed at home for Docker, HyperV, and probably to run the BBS. I'm looking for something low-end, doesn't need to be high-availability (I'm content with opening the case and swapping SATA drives, don't need hot-swap bays or two power supplies.

Check E-bay or some of the used/refurbished server resellers like www.servermonkey.com (I've never used them and know little about them, this is not an endorsment, just an example).

In the past I've had clients buy used/refurbished servers from companies and they've worked out pretty well. Basically they're machines that are out of warranty so the original company that used them sold them off to a reseller who fixed them up and is re-selling them.

DaiTengu

... A sharp tongue and a dull mind are usually found in the same head!

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■ Synchronet ■ War Ensemble BBS - The sport is war, total war - warensemble.com

Re: Looking for server hardware
By: poindexter FORTRAN to All on Fri Mar 08 2019 09:43 am

I'm looking to buy a server on the CHEAP that I can use as a testbed at
home for Docker, HyperV, and probably to run the BBS. I'm looking for something low-end, doesn't need to be high-availability (I'm content with opening the case and swapping SATA drives, don't need hot-swap bays or two power supplies.

You can get a pretty beefy Dell R710 on ebay right now (that is what I use) that will run anything you can throw at it. Keep it mind it is a full 2U server and draws about 150 - 175 watts. However, it is still one of the recommended servers for homelabbers.


dmxrob ■ BBSing from St. Louis, Missouri since 1988

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■ Synchronet ■ Gateway to the West - St. Louis, Missouri - bbs.dmxrob.net

Re: Looking for server hardware
By: DaiTengu to poindexter FORTRAN on Fri Mar 08 2019 01:48 pm

Check E-bay or some of the used/refurbished server resellers like www.servermonkey.com (I've never used them and know little about them, this is not an endorsment, just an example).

Thanks for the pointer, I'll check them out. I found an interesting couple of servers on Craigslist, hadn't thought to check them for server equipment...

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■ Synchronet ■ realitycheckBBS -- http://realitycheckBBS.org

Re: Looking for server hardware
By: poindexter FORTRAN to All on Fri Mar 08 2019 09:43 am

The Dell Optiplex 990s tower desktop PCs a few years back had Intel RAID on the motherboard, I could do a desktop as long as it had room for a couple of drives. I don't know if I need RAID 5, mirroring might be good enough. If I did a desktop, I'd need at least an i5 to be able to run HyperV.

Does anyone have any recommendations online for something like this?

How much are you willing to spend? I'm looking at 2 Dell Towers, one of them we bought for like $12k and barely did more than power it on a few times. It's "decommisssioned" because our IT B_tch is stupid/retarded, she wiped the drives (6 drives, mix of raid 1 and 5 I think, about 2TB storage), and scratched off the OEM sticker, but thankfully I took a photo so you can reinstall Win2k8r2 server probably. Honestly if you find the DELL oem install disks for the computer it'll probably boot up no problem.

Since I commute by Aptos you might even avoid shipping, this thing is heavy.

Drop me a note, I'll get you a service ID so you can look up the specs online.

-Andy
--
Android8675@ShodansCore



... Database administrators do it with their relations

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■ Synchronet ■ Shodan's Core @ ShodansCore.com