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xServe, some general, yet specific questions
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Senior User
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Pittsburgh, PA
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Offline
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Ok, so I have another thread going addressing some specific software / directory / domain setup questions ( http://forums.macnn.com/90/mac-os-x/...n-team-config/), but I guess this will address some server hardware concerns.
I am looking into getting a machine to run OSX server, I'm stuck between the MacPro and an xServe, but am turned on by the lights-out management stuff, etc.
Basically I need a machine to run a fairly simple FileMaker Pro Database using FMP9 Server, and I need the system to have some sort of redundant storage (RAID 5?) for the FMP database file, and a file storage bank thing. My question is really about the best way for hard drive configuration while trying to avoid getting an xServe RAID.
The xServe has 3 drives so my thought was an 80gig boot and then dual 750s in redundant RAID? I guess that's not quite redundant enough so... external FW800s? I dunno... Should I partition for the FMP database (maybe 50gig?) and then all the file sharing stuff on the rest?
As I ended the other thread, thoughts?
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15" MacBook Pro 2.0GHz i7 4GB RAM 6490M 120GB OWC 6G SSD 500GB HD
15" MacBook Pro 2.4GHz C2D 2GB RAM 8600M GT 200GB HD
17" C2D iMac 2.0GHz 2GB RAM x1600 500GB HD
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Posting Junkie
Join Date: May 2001
Location: Portland, OR
Status:
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First, just as an aside, I'm surprised you're considering an XServe or a Mac Pro as a Filemaker Server. At work, our Filemaker server runs on a Blue and White G3 just fine. For heavier use I'm not sure Filemaker is a good system, but I digress, and I'll trust you know what you're doing.
The redundant raids should be ample. I don't see your server getting blown out and both hard drives getting toasted. Just in case though, perhaps you should do nightly backups. If you're working with multiple servers, it might be worth it to look at a SAN system for backing up to.
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8 Core 2.8 ghz Mac Pro/GF8800/2 23" Cinema Displays, 3.06 ghz Macbook Pro
Once you wanted revolution, now you're the institution, how's it feel to be the man?
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Posting Junkie
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Houston, TX
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With a database only 50GB, you could buy 3 500GB (or even 250GB... or 1TB if you're seeing fast growth) drives, create a 20GB partition on one for the OS and a 480GB RAID1 mirror across all 3 for your data. The unused 20GB on each of the remaining disks could also be partitioned for non-redundant usage.
Of course you still need a backup solution in case the machine burns/sinks, preferably offsite.
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Senior User
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Pittsburgh, PA
Status:
Offline
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The main point of the xServe is a little bit of overkill and so that it can be completely managed off-site if need be. Also it will be doing some semi-heavy filesharing stuff along w. filemaker, it should do the job well, though it is overpowered.
I like your suggestion mduell, I'm thinking something like, 20gig boot, and then the RAID1 mirror storing the filemaker database, and then having 2 shares, 1 to allow a central place for them to swap files, and then another to store finished projects.
Then perhaps an external FW800 to backup the database to nightly.
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15" MacBook Pro 2.0GHz i7 4GB RAM 6490M 120GB OWC 6G SSD 500GB HD
15" MacBook Pro 2.4GHz C2D 2GB RAM 8600M GT 200GB HD
17" C2D iMac 2.0GHz 2GB RAM x1600 500GB HD
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