Re: New server setup

On Fri, Mar 1, 2013 at 3:43 AM, Niels Kristian Schjødt <
nielskristian(at)autouncle(dot)com> wrote:

> Hi, I'm going to setup a new server for my postgresql database, and I am
> considering one of these:
> http://www.hetzner.de/hosting/produkte_rootserver/poweredge-r720 with
> four SAS drives in a RAID 10 array. Has any of you any particular
> comments/pitfalls/etc. to mention on the setup? My application is very
> write heavy.
>

I can only tell you our experience with Dell from several years ago. We
bought two Dell servers similar (somewhat larger) than the model you're
looking at. We'll never buy from them again.

Advantages: They work. They haven't failed.

Disadvantages:

Performance sucks. Dell costs far more than "white box" servers we buy
from a "white box" supplier (ASA Computers). ASA gives us roughly double
the performance for the same price. We can buy exactly what we want from
ASA.

Dell did a disk-drive "lock in." The RAID controller won't spin up a
non-Dell disk. They wanted roughly four times the price for their disks
compared to buying the exact same disks on Amazon. If a disk went out
today, it would probably cost even more because that model is obsolete
(luckily, we bought a couple spares). I think they abandoned this policy
because it caused so many complaints, but you should check before you buy.
This was an incredibly stupid RAID controller design.

Dell tech support doesn't know what they're talking about when it comes to
RAID controllers and serious server support. You're better off with a
white-box solution, where you can buy the exact parts recommended in this
group and get technical advice from people who know what they're talking
about. Dell basically doesn't understand Postgres.

They boast excellent on-site service, but for the price of their computers
and their service contract, you can buy two servers from a white-box
vendor. Our white-box servers have been just as reliable as the Dell
servers -- no failures.

I'm sure someone in Europe can recommend a good vendor for you.

Craig James

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