Hey all -
I'm interesting in getting/building a home lab to learn more about running various virtualization platforms (ESXi, KVM, maybe Xen or Proxmox), spin up various server OS's to experiment with, and become more familiar with enterprise-class gear. I'd like to start out with something relatively cheap (<$500 all-in), and found this guy while browsing Craigslist:
CyberWeek_48-GB +8 CORES-SERVER DELL 2900 III- X8 146 GB SAS HD
Dell PowerEdge 2900 Gen III
2x Xeon E5450 quad-core 3GHz
48 GB ECC RAM
8x 146 GB 15k SAS on Perc6i
Dual 930W PSU
$338
I've been finding a variety of Dell PowerEdge 1950 & 2950 in the <$200 range, although not usually with the RAM or storage that I'd want. This listing would certainly be enough to get started without any additional upgrades right away.
Thoughts?
I was reading some of the threads about the C6100 craze - and I see some of them still floating around on eBay for $300-$400. Obviously that would give me more physical hosts to play with. But sentiment seems to be those are getting pretty dated and not a good value anymore.
I'm interesting in getting/building a home lab to learn more about running various virtualization platforms (ESXi, KVM, maybe Xen or Proxmox), spin up various server OS's to experiment with, and become more familiar with enterprise-class gear. I'd like to start out with something relatively cheap (<$500 all-in), and found this guy while browsing Craigslist:
CyberWeek_48-GB +8 CORES-SERVER DELL 2900 III- X8 146 GB SAS HD
Dell PowerEdge 2900 Gen III
2x Xeon E5450 quad-core 3GHz
48 GB ECC RAM
8x 146 GB 15k SAS on Perc6i
Dual 930W PSU
$338
I've been finding a variety of Dell PowerEdge 1950 & 2950 in the <$200 range, although not usually with the RAM or storage that I'd want. This listing would certainly be enough to get started without any additional upgrades right away.
Thoughts?
I was reading some of the threads about the C6100 craze - and I see some of them still floating around on eBay for $300-$400. Obviously that would give me more physical hosts to play with. But sentiment seems to be those are getting pretty dated and not a good value anymore.