[SOLVED] Important points when buying a new used server

[Emsanator]

Hello,

I will buy a new server to upgrade my current server. The server is second-hand, but the server looks clean.
I will test the server when I buy it, but how can I quickly test the hardware at the time of purchase?
What are the most important points I need to check for hardware?

How can I check if the hardware parts are genuine?

Thank you.

 

[Lafong]

You can use something like HWInfo64 to look at stuff like drive hours, PSU voltages, fan speeds, clock speeds, watts being used, and all kinds of temps...............but it won't tell you what you'd most likely want to know: when will the hardware break down.

Maybe look at SMART data to give a rough indication of drive health.

You could hammer it with something like Intel Extreme Tuning Utility to stress it, but that's not predictive of the future either.

Try to get brand name, model numbers of the major components....CPU, drives, RAM, power supply, motherboard.

 

[Ralston18]

And I will add the suggestion that you post the "new" server specs.

Include source and seller.

What warranties are being offered?

Use a bright flashlight and magnifying glass to inspect the server.

Plug in the server and boot it up.

Take your own boot drive.

 

[Emsanator]

You can use something like HWInfo64 to look at stuff like drive hours, PSU voltages, fan speeds, clock speeds, watts being used, and all kinds of temps...............but it won't tell you what you'd most likely want to know: when will the hardware break down.

Maybe look at SMART data to give a rough indication of drive health.

You could hammer it with something like Intel Extreme Tuning Utility to stress it, but that's not predictive of the future either.

Try to get brand name, model numbers of the major components....CPU, drives, RAM, power supply, motherboard.

Thank you for your suggestions and help.

 

[kanewolf]

Hello,

I will buy a new server to upgrade my current server. The server is second-hand, but the server looks clean.
I will test the server when I buy it, but how can I quickly test the hardware at the time of purchase?
What are the most important points I need to check for hardware?

How can I check if the hardware parts are genuine?

Thank you.

How old is this second hand hardware? Since you have current server(s), you should be familiar with the IPMI interface. I would use that as the first check. HP and Dell have very good hardware information in their IPMI interface. It is unlikely that any used server hardware for sale will have any bootable OS. You need to be sure you know how to boot from a USB or DVD.
I would recommend physically removing the top cover. It will show you things that aren't obvious, like if all the airflow ducts are in place. Or what riser cards are included.

 

[Emsanator]

How old is this second hand hardware? Since you have current server(s), you should be familiar with the IPMI interface. I would use that as the first check. HP and Dell have very good hardware information in their IPMI interface. It is unlikely that any used server hardware for sale will have any bootable OS. You need to be sure you know how to boot from a USB or DVD.
I would recommend physically removing the top cover. It will show you things that aren't obvious, like if all the airflow ducts are in place. Or what riser cards are included.

I have an HP DL 380 G5 server that I bought second hand 4-5 years ago. I upgraded its features, and it performs well, and I can run many virtual machines comfortably with Proxmox, but now I think it's time to change the server.

Postponed to Monday. I think his age is 6 or 7, If it's older, I won't buy it… It's not a person I bought it from, it's a company. It buys and sells second-hand servers by auction. That's why I thought it might change the hardware, or they can do a trick on the hardware. That's why I got your ideas.

 

[kanewolf]

I have an HP DL 380 G5 server that I bought second hand 4-5 years ago. I upgraded its features, and it performs well, and I can run many virtual machines comfortably with Proxmox, but now I think it's time to change the server.

Postponed to Monday. I think his age is 6 or 7, If it's older, I won't buy it… It's not a person I bought it from, it's a company. It buys and sells second-hand servers by auction. That's why I thought it might change the hardware, or they can do a trick on the hardware. That's why I got your ideas.

I bought A LOT (dozens) of DL380 G5s new at work 10 years ago. They are almost bullet proof. VMs are a function of RAM. Remember that those CPUs are triple channel memory controllers so you want multiple of 3 DIMMs / socket.
At an auction, you may not be able to power up anything. But on an HP I would access the iLO and get the hardware inventory.