Re: Blade server recommendations?
I have access to some IBM BladeCenters where I work, but they are using
Red Hat. They work pretty well. Disk performance sucks due to those
laptop drives, but they work.
> 1. Will it run Debian 3.1?
As long as you can get network drivers for it, it's good.
> 2. Heartbeat - no serial cables.
I don't know about the HP/Compaq models, but the IBM's have a shared
backplane which is accessible via a second Ethernet interface for each
blade. So, you can get your OOBM or heartbeat off of that. Also useful
for clustering communications.
> 3. HP, IBM/Intel or someone else?
Too bad RLX isn't making hardware any more. They were pretty good. I
worked on a lot of those.
And while you didn't ask, and I hate to say it; with the exception of
web hosting, 90%+ of all blade server implementations that I see are
unjustifiable. They could have used a couple of 1Us, or didn't need
multiple systems at all.
People get sold on blade servers through things like "they save rack
space", "it will save money because we need 14 new servers", "they are
more reliable", "they are easy to cluster", "less power", or something
else. But really, I get the impression that most businesses that buy
blade server chassis did it because they thought they looked cool or
they gold sold on it by some sales guy.
There are some good uses for blade server chassis implementations out
there, but I don't see many in practice.
Just thought I would rant there for a second. Don't mind me. =)
On Fri, May 13, 2005 at 12:50:55PM +0200, James Flinton wrote:
> Good afternoon,
>
> We're looking to buy some blade servers, and wondered if anyone could
> offer advice on which to buy or avoid?
>
> I have read that HP support Woody on their servers, although this
> article was dated 2002.
> I have also read that Intel/IBM are pushing their "open" blade
> architecure, and seem to be winning.
>
> My primary concerns are:
> 1. Will it run Debian 3.1?
> 2. Heartbeat - no serial cables.
> 3. HP, IBM/Intel or someone else?
>
> Should a blade act like any other machine, and work out of the box, or
> are there any particular things to watch out for? We don't want to use
> binary drivers, thery're too much trouble.
>
> As for heartbeat, we prefer to use serial connections for heartbeat,
> rather than tcp/ip, but we have not seen any blades with serial
> connections - do they even exist?
>
> Any recommendations, on or off list would be welcomed.
>
> Regards,
> James Flinton
>
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# Jesse Molina
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