Suggest server configuration please

Hi,
For "Microsoft Windows", what would be a good hardware configuration to run a decent server? And what minimum connectivity should I use to provide a good speed?
The websites that will run on this server will use a lot of "run time memory"...
Also which version of Windows OS would you recommend to be stable and easy for server management?
Kindly suggest.
Thank you

 

You've not highlighted what kind of apps you'd run on the server and budget.

I can only give an outline :

Dual core CPU (AMD X2/Core2Duo/PentiumD 900 series)
DDR2 RAM ~2GB+
100Mbps port
Win2003 server (though I like CentOs linux for servers)

 

Hi,
Thanks for the information.
Ram and CPU were my major concerns. You provided that information.
Is it needed to use a 100mbps port? The sites on this server will mostly be text and minimal graphics only...
It'll be a windows OS with php and cgi running. (No special apps)

Thanks
Green added.

 

If you get good traffic, then 100Mbps connection will be a good choice...as you had mentioned "a lot of run time memory", I assumed you need good processing power too; hence dual core cpu and 2GB DDR2 RAM.

Get feedback from others and experts before commiting.

 

If you're not running any heavy duty apps, databases, etc..
Then you probably don't really need dual core or dual cpu.

You can take that savings and use it towards a backup drive and/or a RAID configuration, to protect your data.

 

If you are really only interested in running php and cgi then why not give linux a try.

 

So 100mbps it is. Thank you

Other than 1 or 2 pages, the sites will be all database powered... There will be a backup hard disk. Thanks for the reminder

Actually, I'll make the machine, install the softwares and then move to a datacenter. I'm not very good with linux... It'll take me a lot of time figuring things out, and managing them in times of problem.

Why do most people avoid windows for servers anyway? Most of the servers I've seen used windows...

Thanks

 

100mbps unmetered is going to cost you a fortune, so I hope you mean you're gettting metered bandwidth on a 100mbit port. 100mbps unmetered is over a TERABYTE (1000GB) of transfer a day.

 

Yes...shared 100Mbps metered port.

Also, windows itself is a resource hogger...add to it the load of your sites that need "a lot of run time memory"...hence th high configuration I suggested. As you're building the box yourself, get AMD X2 or Core2Duo...these are affordable dual core processors.

Why windows? Heck, my latest $10/month VPS is with just 128MB guaranteed RAM.
And with linux I manage to keep mem use below 100MB for most of the time!

 

Hi,
I went shopping today, In dual core I'm getting a "cache cpu memory" of 2mb and 1 mb. External RAM 2GB.
Should I go for 2mb cache, or 1 mb cache is OK?
Thanks

 

Intel Core 2 Duo E6300 (~$180) or AMD Athlon 64 X2 4200+ (cheaper, but good enough)
Insist on DDR2 RAM.

BTW, how much are they taking for the 1U chasis?

 

I'm shopping in India (Delhi). I'll try and convert...
There was a price range for 1U's, between $150 to $250 approx...
Thank you
regards

 

Oops...I thought you live abroad!

BTW, where are you colocating the box and approx cost of colocation ?

 

Same here. I thought "you" were in abroad...
Just noticed you are in India as well.
After testing the machine for a few days here, I'll send it to some of my old friends (old office), and they will move it to a DC. I don't really have too much idea about this...

Thanks for your help. I'm going for a Core2duo.
Thank you

 

All I know about DC's in India is that the only options available are VSNL,Reliance or Sify.

good luck with your server.