Question Server or server alternative ?

[navnetsen]

Hi everyone,

I have been lucky enough to start a tiny company. It is very tiny and does not generate a huge amount of profit. Nevertheless, I do feel that I need a platform to store my data and run my applications.

So far, I have been running everything from my desktop, but it isn't sustainable going forward.

I need a "platform" that allows me the following:

1. Is online 24 / 7
2. Able to run an XAMPP apache server (or something similar) to store sqlite databases and some files and images.
3. Run java applications. Small stuff really. Checking databases and sending mails. Or API-stuff (REST / SOAP).
4. Run a vaadin application (I think it runs on a java servlet and requires something called Servlet API 3.0). This runs on an open port. The port is accessible online.

So, I would store less than 250 gb of data. All data is solely accessed through my applications (Java/Vaadin). The only "online access" is the port for the vaadin-application.

I am not experienced with servers or anything. I am kind of looking for a cheap and reasonable "step" before the real step; where you get an actual expert to set up server-towers or whatever you need.

Feel free to ask any questions and provide any idea or concern.

Also: I am a bit familiar with Linux Mint (I normally use windows 10). I code in many languages. I have 1gb download and 0.5gb upload speed. I have built/assembled 2 desktops in the past.

 

[Ralston18]

Budget: quantify "cheap".

You have the requirements in place.

Remember that most applications provide some listing of the hardware needed to support the app. Usually the list is in the form of "minimal", "recommended", and "best".

You do not want minimal and you do want as much best as you can afford.

My recommendation is to proceed with a server "build" or "purchase" whose hardware and software spec's meet your requirements.

Post that "build" and request comments and suggestions. Include what's and why's for your component choices.

That will be a positive starting step to help you learn more about servers and gain the corresponding experience.

You may discover a need to revise your budget as well.

 

[navnetsen]

Budget: quantify "cheap".

You have the requirements in place.

Remember that most applications provide some listing of the hardware needed to support the app. Usually the list is in the form of "minimal", "recommended", and "best".

You do not want minimal and you do want as much best as you can afford.

My recommendation is to proceed with a server "build" or "purchase" whose hardware and software spec's meet your requirements.

Post that "build" and request comments and suggestions. Include what's and why's for your component choices.

That will be a positive starting step to help you learn more about servers and gain the corresponding experience.

You may discover a need to revise your budget as well.

Thank you for your response. I really appreciate it!

Cheap could be around 300-400 euros. But then again, I do not know what servers this size should cost.

So the requirements seem to be (and forgive me if I misinterpret this completely)

1. Ability to run jetty server
2. Ability to run apache server (xampp)
3. Ability to run java runtime environment

Let us say, I get a Dell EMC PowerEdge T40 Xeon Quad-Core. Could I install Ubuntu as a server OS on it and then just "use" it as I would a desktop? I.e. download jetty, java, and xampp.

And if so, would it be overkill or underkill for a first attempt. Moreover, would the "approach" be scalable or only suitable for smaller server projects?

Edit: Googled linux server os and found you could use Ubuntu (maybe?).

 

[kanewolf]

Hi everyone,

I have been lucky enough to start a tiny company. It is very tiny and does not generate a huge amount of profit. Nevertheless, I do feel that I need a platform to store my data and run my applications.

So far, I have been running everything from my desktop, but it isn't sustainable going forward.

I need a "platform" that allows me the following:

1. Is online 24 / 7
2. Able to run an XAMPP apache server (or something similar) to store sqlite databases and some files and images.
3. Run java applications. Small stuff really. Checking databases and sending mails. Or API-stuff (REST / SOAP).
4. Run a vaadin application (I think it runs on a java servlet and requires something called Servlet API 3.0). This runs on an open port. The port is accessible online.

So, I would store less than 250 gb of data. All data is solely accessed through my applications (Java/Vaadin). The only "online access" is the port for the vaadin-application.

I am not experienced with servers or anything. I am kind of looking for a cheap and reasonable "step" before the real step; where you get an actual expert to set up server-towers or whatever you need.

Feel free to ask any questions and provide any idea or concern.

Also: I am a bit familiar with Linux Mint (I normally use windows 10). I code in many languages. I have 1gb download and 0.5gb upload speed. I have built/assembled 2 desktops in the past.

I would recommend using AWS or other hosting service. That will make the cost a monthly operating cost rather than a capital cost.

 

[Ralston18]

Yes - a hosting service. That is indeed a very good option. Hand off the technical issues for the time being.

Makes sense financially as well. You will likely end up with a better sense of the requirements and know what is truly needed with respect to a server and its' support.

Focus on getting your company up and running to successfully and profitably serve your customers.

Many small business owners work very long hours. You do not want to get bogged down into dealing with why your server is "down". Or trying to restore a backup, etc. while upset customers are constantly calling you....

Being able to prioritize and delegate are important success factors.

 

[ohio_buckeye]

Another route, look at Amazon for refurbished servers. We’ve bought a few for work that way in about the 600 dollar range. You can sometimes get them with 2 cpus, 6 2tb sata drives and 64-128gb of ram. So something like that you could use raid 6 for example, you’d just need an os for it. Depending what you are doing, a cloud backup of some kind is a good idea.

If it’s for just files for example (sounds like yours is a bit more than that), I’d recommend using Dropbox or OneDrive etc instead.

 

[navnetsen]

Would this work?:
Hardware = Dell EMC PowerEdge T40 Xeon Quad-Core
OS = Ubuntu with GUI

 

[kanewolf]

Would this work?:
Hardware = Dell EMC PowerEdge T40 Xeon Quad-Core
OS = Ubuntu with GUI

Unknown. You provided a model number but not a proposed configuration. The 8GB RAM that is the default is way too small.

 

[navnetsen]

Unknown. You provided a model number but not a proposed configuration. The 8GB RAM that is the default is way too small.

Here are the full-specs. How much ram would I need to invest in. And how far would I be able to go with such a machine?

If I could slowly upgrade the rams and HDD's as needed without running into issues, it would be ideal for me.