Some questions about servers

T.T Well I'm a dumbass when it comes to servers and their configurations and I just wanted to know a couple of things[more like 100 things].

What is ECC and DDRII? SATA II, SAS, SSD, RAID? Why are they 'essential' or used on servers?

What is SuperMicro Hardware and IPMI2.0?

What is the difference between a Linux server and a Windows one?

Does it matter if they use Intel or AMD?

Sorry for so many questions, but I've been wondering for a time now and I want to get a better understanding in all this.

 

I'll see if I can shed some light, but I'm confident there are smarter, better responses from others.

1. ECC refers to RAM parity and so here is link to help.

RAM parity - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Impact of having ECC RAM is processor cost. Depends on your needs.


2. DDR2 or DDR3 is type of RAM. Different generation, kind of like going from a Pentium 4 to a C2D. Newer costs more.



3. Supermicro is server grade specific hardware, very high end, ergo common terms will be SAS drives. These are customizable to your specs. Essentially, IPMI is Intel's direct competitor to Supermicro. This might mean to some people that all hardware is Intel branded, thus high degree of confidence on compatibility for a particular specification.

Supermicro - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia



4. Linux vs Windows, hmm this could go anywhere, so here is a link to not hold me responsible for my opinion I guess I would say it is personal preference.

Comparison of Windows and Linux - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Linux vs Windows (a comparison)

Basic differences from server standpoint:

Linux uses Apache (predominantly) to server hosting content

Windows uses IIS


5. CPU - Intel vs. AMD. Goes along with personal preference. Depending on your needs, the choice could be linked to stability requirements. For the most part, I would not suspect too much difference b/t the two other than price and grade. Remember that every CPU has a "target" use in mind (e.g., desktop vs server) coupled with processing power. Again, another area that can easily expounded upon based on personal experience, which varies widely because of hardware setup, bandwidth, connectivity, datacenter, etc.


I hope I was able to shed some light. Please do not consider my provided links as a way of saying you could have done that yourself. Everyone searchs differently and comes upon information differently. Some things are best explained by others.

 

Gah!! So much to read, but it did read a bit.

About the supermicro, I recognize the logo, but I don't know from where... Anyways, thank you! I'm still a bit confused about the RAID and other stuff, but you definitely helped me understand a bit!

 

Whhops, forgot to address SSD and RAID.

SSD is Solid State Device. This is the next generation in terms for use as typical hard drives or replacement thereof. SSD have no moving parts. Basically taking our flash sticks and making them capable to be used as HDD applications. I have a very cool YouTube video of this demonstrating their awesome sauce-ness. <brb>

RAID refers to redundance of the hard drives. Basically for protection of the data if say a single HDD fails. There are various RAID configs (0, 1, 3, etc.) and really should be considered with your usage.

 

SSD demo

 

My mom tought me to never argue with a woman, so I'll let you win this battle

They aren't essential, but I'd be looking for DDR2 atleast, and SATA with Raid. SSD isn't really neccassary unless you plan on throwing your server off a wall.

IPMI2.0 will give you control over a private network of the server. If you're server would become unresponsive over the public network, you can usually connect via VPN/IPN/Whatever to the datacenters private IP address, and get access to your server via command line and see vital stats like tempertures.

to many to list. A windows server is essentially like using a windows PC but with more stability, and a lot of changes. Linux is "marketed" as more stable and widely used, but its not really true.

Both are good hosting platforms, and are only as stable as the admin behind them.

Only if you're really breaking things down. Their architecture of their chips are different, and thus result in different performance with different hardware. I generally stick to Intel for top end servers and AMD for lower end things. (nothing against either chip, I just like the performance of Intel over AMD for high end things)

Remember, there are no stupid questions only... :doh:

 

http://www.youtube.com/v/96dWOEa4Djs

Link Fixed. That video never gets old XD.

 

Hahahahaha, oh my lord that is awesome.

 

Thank you sir!!

 

I wish i had that, and i would play FULL GTA 4 Graphics, or Fall Out 3 or like the guy does Crysis..

That would be so dam fun..

 

Oh.

My.

F***ing.

God.

 

Haha, I saw that video a while back, and it's still just as entertaining.