Others: web sites, code samples, build setups, community projects.
New Staging Server
Our new Staging Server, a Craigslist special we've heavily modified.
AMD Processors: 2x Opteron 246-HE's
Raid Controller: 3ware 9500S
Chassis: Chenbro RM12404
RAM: 6 GB Kingston
Project Description: Low maintenance staging server.
Goal: To develop a staging server that is both small and quite without having any over heating issues. Addressing the CPUs and PSU were a priority.
Outcome: Cooling the CPU we utilized over sized fans to move large amounts of CFM with low RPMs over passive heat sinks which resulted in quiet cooling. When it came to quietly cooling the PSU we had to supply the great amount of CFM that is needed to cool the unit, but due to the small surface area of the PSU's top case made it impossible to use over size fans like we used with the CPUs, so we decided to use an adjustable blower fan to keep the noise level down and provide sufficient amount of CFM to cool the PSU.
Updates
Feb 28, 2012 - Small upgrade
A small upgrade to the hardware. The CPU's have been changed to 2 Opteron 8425 HE, giving us a small 400mhz bump, but more importantly 2 extra cores per CPU. At the same time to put 4 more GB of memory.
Mar 16, 2011 - RAM Upgrade
While decommissioning our old server, Calidus, we salvaged the ram dimms and put them in our new server.
Mar 14, 2011 - CPU Change
Originally, the server came with AMD Opteron 250's. These are nice CPU's but they are also very hot. For our needs we decided to replace them with AMD Opteron 246-HE's. The obvious difference is a slight preformance cut, 2.4Ghz to 2.00 Ghz, but it also reduced the power consumption from 89w to 55w.
Luckily, we happened to have these 246 HE's from our previous server, which has since been decommissioned.