So, having returned from a month's vacation, I'm back to work on attempting to build a set of small form factor CentOS compatible computers. I've really tried to do my homework, but this doesn't appear (at first glance) to be at all easy. It's not made easier by the fact that I have to get it right the first time (and I haven't built a PC in a decade); the time and money cost of shipping anything to and from my remote location in Chile means I can't afford to waste time buying and returning things. First question: does anyone have any experience with the Jetway NF9E-Q77 or ZOTAC Z77ITX-A-E motherboards? Having struck out on Intel Q77 or Z77-based SFF motherboards (the DQ77** series is completely out of stock everywhere, and the DZ77** series is ATX only), I have found a couple of Mini-ITX systems based on these two motherboards. Second question: Where can I get information about which Intel chipsets (Z77 vs Z87 vs Q77 vs C602 vs ...geez, there are a LOT of chipsets, as evidenced by http://www.supermicro.com/support/faqs/os.cfm) are supported by CentOS 6 / RHEL 6? I have not been able to find this information on either the Intel, RedHat, or CentOS web sites. Third (more general) question: My requirements are (I believe) modest: * 1U short-depth rackmount chassis OR Mini-ITX small-footprint chassis * Dual GbE network ports * Dual 1920x1200 monitor display * One SSD drive * 32-bit CentOS 6.4 compatible. It's the combination of the first, third, and fifth requirements that really seems to get me hung up. I've found plenty of 1U server systems (such as SuperMicro), but none of them support dual displays. (Some of them have a PCIe16x riser card that could conceivably accomodate a separate graphics card, assuming I could find one that fits; I have Emails in to various tech supports to inquire about this. I've found LOTS of 2U solutions, thanks, but only have 1U of available rack.) As far as Linux support goes, the RHEL Hardware List has thus far been pretty useless (much of the hardware on it is obsolete or discontinued), and most manufacturers' web sites have been equally useless. (One exception being ASUS, which has a Linux-compatibility list at http://www.asus.com/websites/global/aboutasus/OS/Linux.pdf SuperMicro has a very nice list referenced above, but none of their small form factor motherboards support dual displays AFAICT; I have found nothing useful at Intel's site.) Does anyone have any resources they'd like to point me to? Thanks, -G. -- Glenn Eychaner (geychaner at lco.cl) Telescope Systems Programmer, Las Campanas Observatory
Glenn Eychaner wrote:> So, having returned from a month's vacation, I'm back to work on > attempting to build a set of small form factor CentOS compatiblecomputers. I've> really tried to do my homework, but this doesn't appear (at first glance) > to be at all easy. It's not made easier by the fact that I have to get it > right the first time (and I haven't built a PC in a decade); the time and > money cost of shipping anything to and from my remote location in Chile > means I can't afford to waste time buying and returning things. > > First question: does anyone have any experience with the Jetway NF9E-Q77 > or ZOTAC Z77ITX-A-E motherboards? Having struck out on Intel Q77 orZ77-based> SFF motherboards (the DQ77** series is completely out of stock everywhere, > and the DZ77** series is ATX only), I have found a couple of Mini-ITX > systems based on these two motherboards. > > Second question: Where can I get information about which Intel chipsets > (Z77 vs Z87 vs Q77 vs C602 vs ...geez, there are a LOT of chipsets, as > evidenced by http://www.supermicro.com/support/faqs/os.cfm) are supported > by CentOS 6 / RHEL 6? I have not been able to find this information on > either the Intel, RedHat, or CentOS web sites.<snip> VERY STRONG RECOMMENDATION: DON'T buy Supermicro. They have a *lot* of trouble with this new, fuzzy concept called "quality control". For example, we have a cluster with 21 Penguin servers, about half with 48 cores, and the rest with 64 cores. You'd think this kind of hot, high end server would call for a lot of attention. No. We've sent back to Penguin at *least* 5 or 6, and a couple of those went back *twice*, and almost all had m/b's replaced, and one a CPU, I think. That's an absurdly high percentage.... Now, about what you're looking to build - you say that you want 1U, and mention rackspace: in my experience, rackmounts are a *lot* larger than a pizza box, so I'm a little confused at the requirements you're building for. mark
On 8/12/2013 9:14 AM, Glenn Eychaner wrote:> * 1U short-depth rackmount chassis OR Mini-ITX small-footprint chassis > ... > * Dual 1920x1200 monitor displaythose two requirements together are unusual. most rackmount 1U systems are headless, except a basic VGA for initial configuration. dual display is generally found on a desktop system. -- john r pierce 37N 122W somewhere on the middle of the left coast
m.roth at 5-cent.us wrote:> Now, about what you're looking to build - you say that you want 1U, and > mention rackspace: in my experience, rackmounts are a *lot* larger than a > pizza box, so I'm a little confused at the requirements you're building > for.The rack is already full; I only get that 1U of space by removing a spare part to another location, and unfortunately, I have a depth limit due to the power distribution module on the rack rear. These computers are replacing tower PCs that sit on the floor under a desk in a rather hostile environment, so I'd like to move them to either the desktop or the adjacent rack, but have limited space in either location (1U of short-depth rack or about room for a miniITX box on the desk). -G. -- Glenn Eychaner (geychaner at lco.cl) Telescope Systems Programmer, Las Campanas Observatory
John R Pierce wrote:> On 8/12/2013 9:14 AM, Glenn Eychaner wrote: > > * 1U short-depth rackmount chassis OR Mini-ITX small-footprint chassis > > * Dual 1920x1200 monitor display > > those two requirements together are unusual. most rackmount 1U systems > are headless, except a basic VGA for initial configuration. > dual display is generally found on a desktop system.I agree. In this case, the floor is not the best environment for the equipment, the adjacent rack has only 1U of short-depth rack space available, and the desktop is already crowded with keyboards and monitors. Since the reqirements are (relatively) modest (except those two), I was hoping to squeeze something in. Looks like I'm out of luck, and buying another full tower to hold a motherboard, a disk drive, and one expansion card. Sigh. -G. -- Glenn Eychaner (geychaner at lco.cl) Telescope Systems Programmer, Las Campanas Observatory
On Mon, Aug 12, 2013 at 12:14 PM, Glenn Eychaner <geychaner at mac.com> wrote: [snip]> Third (more general) question: My requirements are (I believe) modest: > * 1U short-depth rackmount chassis OR Mini-ITX small-footprint chassis > * Dual GbE network ports > * Dual 1920x1200 monitor display > * One SSD drive > * 32-bit CentOS 6.4 compatible.For the display configuration, do you need to run any graphics-intensive software? If not, I have seen some devices that act as miniature broadcast devices. The monitors don't need to be physically attached to the system unit. They do need some sort of wireless access to the server though. They are useful for monitoring stations, electronic signage, etc.., but not so good for fast updates (i.e., no games, videos would probably be degraded).
> > Since the reqirements are (relatively) modest (except those two), I was > > hoping to squeeze something in. > > how about an ultrasmall form factor desktop, such as the Dell Optiplex > 7010 USFF ? those have dual displayport outputs (requires $7 optional > video output panel), and are 24x6.5x24cmI didn't even know that the Optiplex 7010 was CentOS compatible (though someone may have mentioned it in my previous thread); it is not on the RedHat Hardware List, not does Dell's web site go out of its way to mention it. Again, how does one find this kind of thing out? There has to be a better solution than 3 days of web searches, Emails to tech support, and forum posts. In addition, the USFF Optiplex seems to be limited to a Core i3 processor and a mere 2GB of memory, which while acceptable is not optimal (and worse than some other solutions I'm looking at). And for everyone suggesting KVMs, VMs, SSH, or other solutions...this is a telescope operations system, so none of those are really appropriate to the task, I'm afraid. I really want direct monitor/keyboard/mouse connections (and yes, I keep a hotspare warmed up at all times in case of a critical failure, and have had to use it on more than one occasion). And I'm sorry my postings don't seem to thread right in the archives. I subscribe to the Digest form orf the list and am compiling these replies using the web archives. Anyway, -G. -- Glenn Eychaner (geychaner at lco.cl) Telescope Systems Programmer, Las Campanas Observatory