Need help with choosing server for Application + Database

[firdousamir]

Hi Guys!

Need a server to run J2EE applications and Databases (Postgres and mongo). Budget is around $5000-$7000. Initially 4-6 core is sufficient with 32GB memory and 3TB RAID5. But should be able to scale to 10-12 cores and more disk. Support and reliability is extremely important.

I have kind of comparing between IBM x3550 and HP DL380 Fujitsu RX300 S7. What is the best bet here for a cost effective solution?

Any advice highly appreciated.

 

[bambiboom]

firdousamir,

I'm not by any description an expert on servers, but of the models you mention, an IBM x3550 M4 seems to have very good features, excellent expandability, and IBM has a reputation for good build quality, reliability, and very good service. The x3550 M3 I wouldn't recommend as it uses the Xeon x56XX series CPU's, which are socket LGA 1366 and not hyperthreading- not a good future. IBM RAID controllers also have a good reputation. The M4 can use two Xeon E5-26XX CPU's, up to 768GB RAM, either 8TB SSD or if you use 3.5 SATA or SAS drives, up to 12TB. An M4 could start out with one Intel Xeon E5-2643 [4-core 3.3/ 3.5GHz 10MB cache, 1600MHz, 130W] or Processor E5-2640 [6- core 2.5GHz 15MB Cache 1333MHz 95W] and 32GB and later add a second E5-2643 and a matching 32GB RAM set. An x3550 M4 with one E5-2643 (4-core) , 4GB RAM, and so on- is about $3,900. The idea of the faster 4-core that can use 1600 RAM and that can be doubled later seems like a better cost / performance choice. Or, your upper budget of $7,000 may well be sufficient to start with the dual E5-2643 configuration and plenty of RAM and at least three drives.

In my limited view, the HP DL380 has some features that seem a bit from the previous generation, but will probably be a bit less expensive. I don't know enough about Fujitsu servers or the company to really comment, but their reputation in the US is that their consumer products are lesser in terms of build quality.

I hope that those with more server knowledge and experience will also comment.

Cheers,

BamibBoom