Small Office Server Build (12-17 users)

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palinopsic

palinopsic

Commendable
Apr 2, 2016
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0
1,510
Hi everyone,



I'm trying to build a server that can run 3 VMs (terminal, file, database) for a small business (12-17 users).

I think I have a ballpark idea for specs, but I'm looking for recommendations to be sure.

Does anyone have experience with office set-ups?

I'm also considering just buying a pre-build for the service and support.

Budget isn't too much of a concern, but of course I don't want to pay for more than I need.
Should be conscious of power since it's going to be a 24/7 server.
Should only need 2TB of HD as there isn't a ton of file sharing.

The main purpose of the server is to run a pre-purchased database system.

Here are minimum requirements from the DB company:



Up to 25 Users:


Database:
RAM=4 GB or greater
Processor=Any new Intel only, x64 capable (EM64T), server class processor (except Itanium) with a clock speed greater than or equal to 2.3 GHz. Due to Oracle Standard One Licensing restrictions, the total number of processor sockets on the motherboard of the database server must not exceed 2 even if the additional processor sockets remain unoccupied.



Hard Drive System=Hardware RAID 5 array with a quantity of 4 10k RPM SAS (SATA drives are not reliable enough for a database). All 4 drives will be in the RAID 5 array. If hot spares are desired, increase the number of drives accordingly. The number of drives is for performance not capacity. The drives should be at least 146 GB each.


Backup System=Integrated removable cartridge/network backup system/other with 72 GB free capacity for the nightly backup.


Software=Windows 2008 R2 Standard Edition x64
Licensing=Windows 2008 R2 Standard Edition Server License (qty=1)
Media Kit=Windows 2008 R2 Standard Edition x64





Terminal Server:
RAM=6 GB


Processor=Any new Intel only, x64 capable (EM64T), server class processor (except Itanium) with a clock speed greater than or equal to 2.3 GHz. The limit of 2 processor sockets listed in the database server section does not apply to the terminal server. The total number of sockets is limited only by the operating system.
Hard Drive System=Single 160 GB SAS/SATA or mirrored pair
Software=Windows 2008 R2 Standard Edition x64
Licensing=Windows 2008 R2 Standard Edition Server License (qty=1)

Windows 2008 Server Client Access License per user (qty=25) **

Windows 2008 Terminal Server Client Access License per user (qty=25)
Media Kit=Windows 2008 R2 Standard Edition x64

 
Solution
kanewolf
The DB requirements are a little dated. You should definitely look at solid state for your DB. You don't want standard desktop SSDs, but a single SSD has much higher performance than the RAID 5 references in the specs. If you are talking to a vendor (Dell, HP, etc) you would tell them you need the high write endurance disks for your DB.

Any dual socket server Dell R730 or HP DL380 would have plenty of RAM with two sockets populated.

If you don't have the facilities for a rack mount server, the HP ML350 is a good choice because it can be configured as a tower configuration and since it is larger it is quieter because of larger slower fans.
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kanewolf

kanewolf

Titan
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May 29, 2013
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The DB requirements are a little dated. You should definitely look at solid state for your DB. You don't want standard desktop SSDs, but a single SSD has much higher performance than the RAID 5 references in the specs. If you are talking to a vendor (Dell, HP, etc) you would tell them you need the high write endurance disks for your DB.

Any dual socket server Dell R730 or HP DL380 would have plenty of RAM with two sockets populated.

If you don't have the facilities for a rack mount server, the HP ML350 is a good choice because it can be configured as a tower configuration and since it is larger it is quieter because of larger slower fans.
 
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Solution
palinopsic

palinopsic

Commendable
Apr 2, 2016
6
0
1,510


I think in the end, we'll probably just buy pre-built, but I'm trying to put together a spec list so my boss at least has the option. So far, this is what I've got:

CPU: Intel Xeon E3-1231v3 3.4GHz (Acceptable or upgrade to E5-2620v3 2.4GHz?)
Motherboard: ???
RAM: Crucial DDR4 2133MHz 8GB (x4)
HDs:
For OS and VMs: ADATA 120GB SSD (x2 mirrored)
For DB: SEAGATE 300GB 10k rpm SAS (x4) - I don’t know if I can get the Intel DC S3700's in Thailand or how much more they would cost here.
Even at US prices, two of them would cost the same as the 4 Seagates.
For storage: A couple 1TB's mirrored
For backup: External 2TB
PCIe: ???
RAID card: (necessary?)
Power supply: ???
FAN: Noctua NH-D9L
 
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kanewolf

kanewolf

Titan
Moderator
May 29, 2013
37,312
3,275
156,790
That really isn't a spec list for a prebuilt. You generally won't have any control on fan, case, powersupply, etc.

I would say you want DUAL hot-swap power supplies. You want ECC RAM.

My spec list would be something like this:
6+ cores at 3.0Ghz or higher
64GB ECC DDR4 RAM
4 high write endurance SSDs of 200GB or greater
hardware RAID with battery backup
dual hot swap power supplies of 600W or greater
2 mid grade SSDs of 400GB or greater
dedicated IPMI port
USB3 support

That is a specifications list. That is something that any vendor could bid against. Your choices might vary, but that is how you should phrase specs.
 
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palinopsic

palinopsic

Commendable
Apr 2, 2016
6
0
1,510


Sorry I wasn't clear. The spec list is for a homemade option, not the pre-built.
Your specs sound like overkill for less than 15 users. I don't want to spend $5,000.
 
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