Re: IXS Server Cards

On Thu, Jun 10, 2010 at 22:45, Michael Ryan <michaelrtr@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:

I don't think I would buy any IXS server cards. Buy a PC server if you want
PC server functionality. I think it would be less expensive and perform
better.

Better yet, make cost comparison. If you want a decent System x setup
today, you'll need a hypervisor and a SAN - and at least two System x
boxes with lots and lots of RAM.

As an entry into virtualization, consider the following:

Two System x3650 M3, 48GB RAM, two X5670 CPUs, SAS Controller, two
147GB Disks (Hyper-V, Xen) or one ESXi USB Option
One System Storage DS3524, one controllers, SAS attached, 24 300GB 10kRPM Disks
One System x3250 M3, 4GB RAM, one X34xx CPU, two 147GB Disks (to run a
physical DC)
One System x3250 M3, 8GB RAM, one X34xx CPU, four 147GB Disks (to run
HV management)

This setup will only give you basic HA. If a machine fails, you're
fine. If the SAN fails, you're toast.

Be aware that HA with ESXi costs money, but is free with Xen and
Hyper-V. We mostly use Hyper-V, because it has a very good
price/performance ratio, is easy for other Windows admins to get their
heads around it, but it sucks if you want to virtualize anything
except Windows. For shops that also run Linux, we use VMware. Never
worked with Xen except from labs, but heard good things about it.