Build’s Name: Janus
Operating System/ Storage Platform: esxi
CPU/Motherboard : Supermicro X10SDV-6C+-TLN4F, 6 Core Intel Xeon D-1528
Chassis: Circotech RM-2270
Drives: Intel 3500
RAM: 32 GB/node
Add-in Cards:
Usage Profile: Learn esxi/docker and other platforms .
I was an MS application developer and have always had a few Windows Server boxes that I have used for R&D. My virtualization experience has been limited to Hyper-V to host my various SQL/Exchange/Biztalk etc VMs. My current setup is (1) Gen 7 Microserver, (1) Gen 8 Microserver, couple of white box Dual Xeon nehalems in Chenbro 4U cases and 2 other file servers (Windows) based on Adaptec 5805 and 7805 with intel expanders.
I recently decided to do some consolidation and planned out the following layout
Lab :
(1) Dual Xeon (????) with atleast 64 GB RAM for Application development in a 4U Case
-- Will retain one of my existing servers for now and retire the other.
(1) 12-16 Bay FreeNAS File Server (Primary)
(1) 12-16 Bay FreeNAS File Server (Backup)
-- These will host important media (Photos/Home Vids), Documents and Backups. TBD.
(2) Xeon D Based esxi hosts
-- This Build
.
(1) Sandbox Server
-- TBD
Home :
(1) 8 Bay Media Server
--- Will Host all Media and serve a few plex clients, AD, DNS, Security Cam NVR, sabnzbd etc. Recently pulled the trigger on a U-NAS NSC-810 that was delivered today. Still undecided on Mobo/CPU to use here. This will run Windows 2012 R2.
(2) HP Micro Server Gen 7 running FreeNAS.
--- Will host backups for my workstation and the various laptops.
The Build :
I was looking to get the GigaByte MBD-DS3 1541 board but got a really good deal in ebay for a used Supermicro 1528. So went ahead and got one more from WiredZone.com as I was looking to build 2 identical nodes.
I had ruled out 1u cases due to the noise factor and came across the Circotech RM 2270 dual Mini ITX case which seemed to be a good bet for the Xeon D boards. Decided to bundle the PSUs along with the case from Cirotech.
When I first opened up the case after I got it, it was a mess of wires and everything longer than it really needed to be.
The PSUs were very quiet but the 4 80 MM Case fans were too loud and were not PWM Fans. Ordered a 4 Noctua 800 Redux PWM fans to replace them. Also picked up a couple of 3.5 to 2 2.5mm brackets from my local Fry's for 3 bucks each.
Installation was simple. Cut all wires to a more manageable length and re-crimped them. installed the new Fans. Installed the SSDs. The SATA Cables I had were all too long. Ordered a pack of 8 inch cables from Amazon to complete the build.
Realized that I hadnt connected the Front USB ports to the headers but was feeling too lazy to customize the cable so just plugged them in. Added a few cable guides to keep the cables neatly grouped.
On Booting had issues with the IPMI running the fans at full speed as the Noctuas' low speed was below the threshold. Booted each of the boards with a freenas usb drive and used ipmitool to lower the fan speed thresholds.
Pretty Satisfied with the build So far.
2 CPUs, 12 cores, 24 threads, 128 GB RAM, Direct connected with 10GBase-T connections.
Now looking for some VMWare for dummies to start using it. Here's the final build.
Operating System/ Storage Platform: esxi
CPU/Motherboard : Supermicro X10SDV-6C+-TLN4F, 6 Core Intel Xeon D-1528
Chassis: Circotech RM-2270
Drives: Intel 3500
RAM: 32 GB/node
Add-in Cards:
Usage Profile: Learn esxi/docker and other platforms .
I was an MS application developer and have always had a few Windows Server boxes that I have used for R&D. My virtualization experience has been limited to Hyper-V to host my various SQL/Exchange/Biztalk etc VMs. My current setup is (1) Gen 7 Microserver, (1) Gen 8 Microserver, couple of white box Dual Xeon nehalems in Chenbro 4U cases and 2 other file servers (Windows) based on Adaptec 5805 and 7805 with intel expanders.
I recently decided to do some consolidation and planned out the following layout
Lab :
(1) Dual Xeon (????) with atleast 64 GB RAM for Application development in a 4U Case
-- Will retain one of my existing servers for now and retire the other.
(1) 12-16 Bay FreeNAS File Server (Primary)
(1) 12-16 Bay FreeNAS File Server (Backup)
-- These will host important media (Photos/Home Vids), Documents and Backups. TBD.
(2) Xeon D Based esxi hosts
-- This Build
. (1) Sandbox Server
-- TBD
Home :
(1) 8 Bay Media Server
--- Will Host all Media and serve a few plex clients, AD, DNS, Security Cam NVR, sabnzbd etc. Recently pulled the trigger on a U-NAS NSC-810 that was delivered today. Still undecided on Mobo/CPU to use here. This will run Windows 2012 R2.
(2) HP Micro Server Gen 7 running FreeNAS.
--- Will host backups for my workstation and the various laptops.
The Build :
I was looking to get the GigaByte MBD-DS3 1541 board but got a really good deal in ebay for a used Supermicro 1528. So went ahead and got one more from WiredZone.com as I was looking to build 2 identical nodes.
I had ruled out 1u cases due to the noise factor and came across the Circotech RM 2270 dual Mini ITX case which seemed to be a good bet for the Xeon D boards. Decided to bundle the PSUs along with the case from Cirotech.
When I first opened up the case after I got it, it was a mess of wires and everything longer than it really needed to be.
The PSUs were very quiet but the 4 80 MM Case fans were too loud and were not PWM Fans. Ordered a 4 Noctua 800 Redux PWM fans to replace them. Also picked up a couple of 3.5 to 2 2.5mm brackets from my local Fry's for 3 bucks each.
Installation was simple. Cut all wires to a more manageable length and re-crimped them. installed the new Fans. Installed the SSDs. The SATA Cables I had were all too long. Ordered a pack of 8 inch cables from Amazon to complete the build.
Realized that I hadnt connected the Front USB ports to the headers but was feeling too lazy to customize the cable so just plugged them in. Added a few cable guides to keep the cables neatly grouped.
On Booting had issues with the IPMI running the fans at full speed as the Noctuas' low speed was below the threshold. Booted each of the boards with a freenas usb drive and used ipmitool to lower the fan speed thresholds.
Pretty Satisfied with the build So far.
2 CPUs, 12 cores, 24 threads, 128 GB RAM, Direct connected with 10GBase-T connections.
Now looking for some VMWare for dummies to start using it. Here's the final build.
