Do I Need All These Server Parts? What Comes with a Lenovo ThinkServer Tower?

[LukeCypert]

I have a question about building a server because I know nothing about them:

My friend was given a list of parts that a computer builder was going to buy to build a sever for his business. They wanted to charge him over $5,000 for the build. The parts on Newegg are about $2,900, but I'm not even sure they need half the parts listed.

Here's the items they were told the server needed:

1 Lenovo ThinkServer Gen 5 4XB0G45716 1TB 7200 RPM SAS 6Gb/s 3.5" Enterprise Hot Swap Hard Drive
$234.99

2 Lenovo ThinkServer 70B7002KUX 5U Tower Server - Intel Xeon E5-2407 v2 2.40 GHz - with 8GB RAM and 800W Redundant PSU
$1,299.99

3 Lenovo Storage Controller Battery
$177.99

4 Lenovo 0A89463 ThinkServer RAID 700 Adapter II
$529.99

5 Microsoft Windows Server 2012 R.2 Standard 64-bit - Complete Product - 10 CAL
$660

6 Lenovo ThinkServer 3.5 Inch Hot-Swap HDD Expansion Kit for Tower
$100

I am confused about what the case comes with. Doesn't it already have places to mount and connect the SAS drive? Why do we need the RAID adapter, the hot-swap expansion and the battery?

 

[kanewolf]

The RAID adapter has cache memory on it. The battery allows the RAID cache to stay active during power outages or unexpected power off.
You didn't list the count on disk drives. The expansion kit will be required depending on the number of disks.

It isn't obvious what disk controller is built into the motherboard.

The description of the part number you listed on NewEgg says redundant power supply, BUT the pictures don't show it. It shows the empty slot for a redundant power supply. I wouldn't have a server without dual power supplies.

 

[LukeCypert]

The RAID adapter has cache memory on it. The battery allows the RAID cache to stay active during power outages or unexpected power off.
You didn't list the count on disk drives. The expansion kit will be required depending on the number of disks.

It isn't obvious what disk controller is built into the motherboard.

The description of the part number you listed on NewEgg says redundant power supply, BUT the pictures don't show it...

Thanks for the reply! That makes sense about the cache and the battery. They were only going to get one 7200RPM drive as far as I can tell...

I guess I'll need to look more in depth at the chassis because USUALLY Newegg's specs sheets are accurate, but I could make sure.

I'm trying to figure out more about what the business uses the server for, because it kinda sounds like they just need a NAS instead.

 

[kanewolf]

A single drive is not really appropriate for a server either, IMO. You should have at least two, if not 4 to 8. Why. Separate the local OS from the applications. If the OS fails, the applications (and their data are not on that disk). You really need somewhere to backup to so a second disk provides that. Plus, to buy the RAID controller, you might as well have a few disks to take advantage of it.

 

[LukeCypert]

A single drive is not really appropriate for a server either, IMO. You should have at least two, if not 4 to 8. Why. Separate the local OS from the applications. If the OS fails, the applications (and their data are not on that disk). You really need somewhere to backup to so a second disk provides that. Plus, to buy the RAID controller, you might as well have a few disks to take advantage of it.

Yeah I'll verify it was only one drive... That's really odd.

And do they need a SAS drive if the drive is just 7200 rpm? You can get a great SATA drive for half that price.

 

[kanewolf]

It depends on the workload. SAS is more efficient than SATA for some things. SAS disks usually have a higher MTBF than SATA disks.

WHAT they are doing with this server is what should drive those decisions. Is this a Windows domain controller for 250 people ? Is it a SQL server for an online market place? Is it just a file server for 5 PCs?

Those are the questions to ask. Don't get the hardware THEN figure out what it is for...