Server Hardware

[psionictek]

Is there a big need for server hardware?


I'm just doing a little research to see if I should start building servers.


IMO, alot of the places are overpriced and I could make one for alot cheaper, but if there aren't enough customers then I could be using that time for something else.

[Chicken]

Whenever I read a post like this, I like to substitute just about anything...

Is there a big need for cars?
I'm just doing a little research to see if I should start building cars.
IMO, alot of the places are overpriced and I could make one for alot cheaper, but if there aren't enough customers then I could be using that time for something else.

Could be lawnmowers, pants, pencils, etc., doesn't matter. I honestly don't think you could make one for cheaper than most of the bigger companies (seeing as how they buy processors, harddrives, and other components by the boat load), but you might be willing to sell it for less (which isn't the same thing). Could you provide better servers for less with better service and turn around time? Maybe in the short run, but long run you'd be facing what everyone faces. Is the short run worth your time and effort? My guess is no, unless you want to make a few bucks.

You might also want to look into how companies (big and small) who currently sell servers are doing these days.

[Rob T]

Building servers, especially rackmount servers, is much more difficult than building your standard run-of-the-mill whitebox PC. Sure, any bunch of monkeys that can hold a screwdriver can assemble the parts and call it a 'server', but to do it right requires much more than just basic skill with hand tools.

We spend a significant amount of time testing heat dissipation, power consumption, OS compatibility, and component reliability - and that's just the start. We have to pay attention to TDP ratings of processors, physical dimensions of moterboards, and all sorts of other things that I never even considered back when I was building only PC's.

Keeping that 3.4Ghz CPU cool is easy when you can throw on a heatsink with 3 pounds of copper and 2 120mm fans. Doing it with 40mm fans, air ducts, and a passive heatsink is a completely different story.

I'm by no means trying to discourage you here - just be sure you understand what you are getting into before you jump into this business. If some guys gaming PC breaks, he'll get a little bent because he can't play Quake for a couple of days while it gets fixed. When servers break, people loose money, business, and time, which is a completely different situation.

[Host4Yourself]

We have decided that it is not worth the time and money to build our own servers. We rely mostly on Rob T above for our hardware and he has been a great asset for us.

[shyampc]

Can we start our own hosting service if we have servers? What are the requirements that we need if we need to host our website on our own server? What are the equipments we need for this?

[d3m0n]

routers.. switches.. tech experience.. colocated somewhere.. buy ip transit.. and much more..

[Mr Goodhost]

I'd be interested if you can send them to Canada

[TotallyHost]

Can we start our own hosting service if we have servers? What are the requirements that we need if we need to host our website on our own server? What are the equipments we need for this?

You need more than just a server. You would need a website, domain, billing/support system to just get started, and you would have to know how to manage a server. You might want to just start with a reseller account, it would be a lot simpler.

[HypaCast]

Someone like Layered Tech and the like offer huge amounts of security, power (generators incase of power cut), have 24/7 techs, masses of connectivity, funneling is a big problem. Then you have issues with if there is data that shouldn't be there, i.e terrorism, underage pornography etc, the server can and probably will be taken for evidence...

...and the list goes on, like TotallyHost said, start of with a reseller, open an account with one of the big boys and resell their server.s Coming back to LT (I use them) they offer discounts the more servers you sell, so you can offer servers advertising the same security, power, connectivity etc as them, but under cut their prices with the discounts you will be getting

[Dimension4]

Building servers, especially rackmount servers, is much more difficult than building your standard run-of-the-mill whitebox PC. Sure, any bunch of monkeys that can hold a screwdriver can assemble the parts and call it a 'server', but to do it right requires much more than just basic skill with hand tools.

We spend a significant amount of time testing heat dissipation, power consumption, OS compatibility, and component reliability - and that's just the start. We have to pay attention to TDP ratings of processors, physical dimensions of moterboards, and all sorts of other things that I never even considered back when I was building only PC's.

Keeping that 3.4Ghz CPU cool is easy when you can throw on a heatsink with 3 pounds of copper and 2 120mm fans. Doing it with 40mm fans, air ducts, and a passive heatsink is a completely different story.

I'm by no means trying to discourage you here - just be sure you understand what you are getting into before you jump into this business. If some guys gaming PC breaks, he'll get a little bent because he can't play Quake for a couple of days while it gets fixed. When servers break, people loose money, business, and time, which is a completely different situation.

This couldn't be more true. We build many servers, and the right combination of components, as well as using quality components without over building is a delicate skill. Cooling and reliability are important, where a PC may run part of the day, a server is sometimes getting pounded 24/7 and never gets a "cool off" break. A server needs to be able to take this kind of abuse.