asterisk users - Feb 2006 - Recommended rack-mountable server anyone?

Hey everyone,

I've been doing a lot of research into a decent server for Asterisk
but I seem to be running and circles and now I am turning to you. The
issue I have is it needs to be rack mountable (so a Dell SC430 isn't
going to work) and preferably have 3 pci ports. The problem that I
seem to be running into is that when I look at servers from Dell or
IBM or the like they only seem to support PCI-X which (from what I
understand) does not support the Digium cards that we already have and
that they still make. So if anyone has a suggestion or has a server
they rather prefer for it's reliability, expandability, etc, please
recommend it!

Thank you in advance,
Mitchel

Hello, Mitchel!

At 07:41 AM 02/21/2006, you wrote:
>I've been doing a lot of research into a decent server for Asterisk
>but I seem to be running and circles and now I am turning to you. The
>issue I have is it needs to be rack mountable (so a Dell SC430 isn't
>going to work) and preferably have 3 pci ports. The problem that I
>seem to be running into is that when I look at servers from Dell or
>IBM or the like they only seem to support PCI-X which (from what I
>understand) does not support the Digium cards that we already have and
>that they still make. So if anyone has a suggestion or has a server
>they rather prefer for it's reliability, expandability, etc, please
>recommend it!
As I understand it, PCI-X is fully backwards-compatible with PCI (as 
in the presence of a PCI card on a PCI-X bus will cause that bus to 
drop back to regular PCI mode). If you want something super-reliable 
which can run Linux, Solaris, or Windows, and you require three PCI 
slots, this may interest you:
http://www.sun.com/servers/entry/x4200/

(Click on the "Gallery" link for pretty pictures.)

I'm seriously considering two X2100s (because I don't need four disks 
or any PCI cards):
http://www.sun.com/servers/entry/x2100/

These boxes will run Solaris, Linux, or (ack) Windows, and their 
remote monitoring/management support is second to none.

--
Alexander Burke, A+, CCNA
Kingston, Ontario, Canada

Supermicro!

Cory J Andrews
++++++++++++
VOIPSupply.com
454 Sonwil Drive
Buffalo, NY 14225
++++++++++++++
voice - 716.630.1555 X22
email - Cory@VOIPSupply.com
AIM - B2CORY
----- Original Message ----- 
From: <mitcheloc@gmail.com>
To: <asterisk-users@lists.digium.com>
Sent: Tuesday, February 21, 2006 7:41 AM
Subject: [Asterisk-Users] Recommended rack-mountable server anyone?


Hey everyone,

I've been doing a lot of research into a decent server for Asterisk
but I seem to be running and circles and now I am turning to you. The
issue I have is it needs to be rack mountable (so a Dell SC430 isn't
going to work) and preferably have 3 pci ports. The problem that I
seem to be running into is that when I look at servers from Dell or
IBM or the like they only seem to support PCI-X which (from what I
understand) does not support the Digium cards that we already have and
that they still make. So if anyone has a suggestion or has a server
they rather prefer for it's reliability, expandability, etc, please
recommend it!

Thank you in advance,
Mitchel
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We just installed asterisk for a customer using a Dell 2850.  It has 3 
pci slots.  My customers configuration contained a TE411p Quad Span PRI, 
and a TDM400P with 4 FXS Modules.  The only problem that we had with the 
2850 was getting power to the TDM400P.  We located a power connector on 
the backplane that supplied the required 12v.  I think it was originally 
intended to power a tape backup drive.  We ultimately sacraficed a power 
supply to get at it's 12V P4 connector.  We then used a voltmeter to put 
together a pinout for the dell power port, and frankensteined together a 
cable that could be used to power the TDM400P.    Aside from the power 
issue, the platform seems rock solid.

Stagg Shelton
www.oneringnetworks.com


mitcheloc@gmail.com wrote:
>Hey everyone,
>
>I've been doing a lot of research into a decent server for Asterisk
>but I seem to be running and circles and now I am turning to you. The
>issue I have is it needs to be rack mountable (so a Dell SC430 isn't
>going to work) and preferably have 3 pci ports. The problem that I
>seem to be running into is that when I look at servers from Dell or
>IBM or the like they only seem to support PCI-X which (from what I
>understand) does not support the Digium cards that we already have and
>that they still make. So if anyone has a suggestion or has a server
>they rather prefer for it's reliability, expandability, etc, please
>recommend it!
>
>Thank you in advance,
>Mitchel
>_______________________________________________
>--Bandwidth and Colocation provided by Easynews.com --
>
>Asterisk-Users mailing list
>To UNSUBSCRIBE or update options visit:
>   http://lists.digium.com/mailman/listinfo/asterisk-users
>
>
>  
>