Dedicated server?

[djpope15]

Good afternoon

At the end of the year I will start with a partner the creation of a computer company.
We will offer: web design, backups for companies, cloud data storage and assembly of network infrastructures in principle.

My doubt is when buying the server. I don't know if to buy a powerful dedicated Hp server or to build a desktop PC with powerful components that will replace the server function.

See if someone can give me their opinion and the pros and cons.

[Bm4n]

I don't know how the prices of professional components are going, but normally if you build it yourself you get something more quality, custom and not always paying more. The question is whether you need a guarantee and assistance that obviously you are not going to have in the same way as if you hire it with the company of the moment. What is your budget and what type of server, storage only?

[lforos]

If you are planning the server to provide the data services in the cloud or backup storage that you mention, I think you are having an inconsistent approach...

A service of this type requires commitments of, at least, guarantee of information recovery and protection of confidentiality and, even, of availability and accessibility of data. It is not enough to have a powerful PC that stores the information. You will need at least a minimum redundancy of storage, perhaps clustering to ensure availability, segment the network well to have security of access, encryption, etc., etc.

You will need to think not in a single server but in configuring a mini-data center if you want to give credibility to your clients. Perhaps a server with some redundant components (network card, power supply, etc.) and a NAS with a good level of disk redundancy, dual controller, etc. You would have to have a good dedicated firewall team with serious software and carefully configured and maintained, because if you have any leak of something affected by confidentiality you could have serious legal problems.

HP servers (or other equivalent) will be more expensive for worse performance, but you can hire different maintenance services (logically at an interesting cost) to ensure their repair in a short time if there is any problem.

If the server is for other issues, forget everything above...

[djpope15]

The server is focused on dhcp functions and data storage.
The backup issue, what I had in mind is to use a raid and perform daily backups via ftp using free software. And the cloud service I was going to contract with another company and offer it.

[Bm4n]

True, setting up something professional is not that easy, if you want to provide web services it will be much cheaper to outsource the servers. Otherwise, make sure you always have a backup server, a redundant NAS, configure the firewall and security very well, and have a good UPS system.

[lforos]

@djpope15:

The server is focused on dhcp functions and data storage.
The backup issue what I was thinking is to use a raid and perform daily backups via ftp using free software. And I was going to hire the cloud service from another company and offer it.

So it's much simpler. With this scope I would consider setting up the server myself, although trying to look for redundancies or have replacement material to have a service recovery in a short period (less than a day to ensure you can continue offering the daily backup). It all depends on what kind of availability and security you want. From a simple raid (although for these things it is recommended 0+1) to setting up the NAS I told you that allows you to change the disk hot or have spare disks (unused disk that is added to the raid if any fails).

Since you do not propose a permanent operational service but rather you would do the backup in batch processes, you solve the security issue somewhat better (just do not have it "connected" while the backup process is not being done). Just keep in mind that the transfer is encrypted and things like that to give more confidence to the client. Also be careful to establish the conditions of the service you offer properly. I say this because if, for example, in the data you are backing up there is child pornography, it could splash you if you have not clarified it well in the service contract that the client accepts (for example that your company is exempt from all responsibility regarding the backed up information since it is a purely instrumental service and all those things).

[djpope15]

lforos you are a machine!
Now I have a clearer understanding… The only thing that is still unclear to me is the function of the NAS, because I have a Synology NAS (Ds209j) at home and the function it has is to download xD.. I think I am underutilizing it.. so I don't know what a NAS has to do with a server.

Throughout the day I will see which components I choose. Any opinions on processor, RAM and motherboard?... I am thinking of an I7, 12GB RAM, I haven't thought about the motherboard yet and the hard drive capacity is still unknown, but the brand is Western Digital.

[Bm4n]

@lforos:

also be careful to properly establish the terms of service you offer. I say this because if, for example, the data you are backing up contains child pornography, it could get you in trouble if you haven't made it clear in the service contract that the client accepts (for example, that your company is exempt from all responsibility for the backed up information since it is a purely instrumental service and all that).

Well yes, that's true, you have to think about those things too.

For disks in the 24h range for a server like this, the most important thing is that they are reliable and long-lasting. The system could be an X79, there are motherboards with 8 SATA, watch out for the PCI, see what kind of ports the controllers have that you might need in the future, the 1x ones might not be enough for you. I have my doubts about whether you need a six-core processor, but it would be ideal, and 16GB of RAM will be more than enough.

The NAS thing is usually for convenience when connecting, disconnecting, and for space. But you can mount the internal disks if they are backups that don't weigh much, a RAID1 of 2TB disks, 8 disks would give you 8TB of storage. And the rest with controllers.

I would mount it in a rack (something like: RackMatic: Caja Mini-SAS Rack 4U F660 (20 x SAS/SATA2-HDD)) or else with some backplanes for the disks.

[djpope15]

In the end I have researched a bit with your advice and I am almost decided to buy this for the backup issue:

NAS DS1512+
DS1512+ Products Specifications - Synology Inc. Network Attached Storage (NAS) - NEW NAS experience

or

NAS RS812+
RS812+ Products - Synology Inc. Network Attached Storage (NAS) - NEW NAS experience

And about the server for the company that I will dedicate to data storage and network services, what components do you still recommend?

I only need to buy the rack cabinet and the chassis to mount the computer which will probably be this:

RackMatic: Caja ATX Rack 2U F550 (2x5.25'' + 4x3.5'')

[Bm4n]

The box would not recommend a 2U because it forces you to mount low profile cards, buy a 3 or 4U. The one I gave you is very expensive but also has many extra drawers in the front to mount SAS disk hotswaps. There are cheaper ones and besides, if you finally mount the NAS and buy it even to mount in the rack cabinet, you do not need the drawers. A small rack cabinet of 6 or 9U is more than enough for you to mount everything and have space to expand.

[lforos]

@djpope15:

In the end I've done some research with your advice and I'm almost decided to buy this for the backup thing:

NAS DS1512+
DS1512+ Products Specifications - Synology Inc. Network Attached Storage (NAS) - NEW NAS experience

or

NAS RS812+
RS812+ Products - Synology Inc. Network Attached Storage (NAS) - NEW NAS experience

Either of these options will give you reasonable capabilities for the service. The only thing is to think that if you are successful (which I wish you) it may become too small for you and you could consider an extension (I think I saw that they support a maximum of 4 and 5 disks respectively), but logically it will depend on how you see the business.

Bm4n's solution is also good and would allow you to start the service with less cost (with the disks directly in the box) and, when you start to grow, consider moving to a product like the ones you've mentioned.

[djpope15]

Thanks to your answers, I have a clearer decision.
I only have the doubt left that I don't know if to buy the dedicated server already assembled with HP or DELL or to assemble one myself by components.

Any recommendations? … in the case that the recommendation is to assemble it myself, please indicate what types of components. (The use I am going to give it will be a thin client server with a maximum of 10 virtual machines started and the programs I will use will be for web design and maybe some for image design)

[Bm4n]

Lots of virtualization… an X79 with a "six-finger"