Virtual server

I am planning my next server.  I want to build a server that is optimized for running virtualized computers and large disk storage. I'm using this post to take some notes. With all of this information in one place my goal is for it to help me design my next computer. There is a lot of information about computer parts on the Internet and this is the source of this information.


Some of my friends have asked why I build my own computers and I always reply because it is fun and I learn a lot. I rarely document my design process so here is a place to watch how I do it.

Intel® Xeon® Processor 7000 Sequence

These processors are for servers

Processor number?	L2 cache	L3 cache	Clock speed	Front side bus	System type	Power	Number of cores
45-nm technology
X7460	9MB	16MB	2.66 GHz	1066 MHz	MP	130W	6
L7455	9MB	12MB	2.13 GHz	1066 MHz	MP	65W	6
L7445	6MB	12MB	2.13 GHz	1066 MHz	MP	50W	4
E7450	9MB	12MB	2.40 GHz	1066 MHz	MP	90W	6
E7440	6MB	16MB	2.40 GHz	1066 MHz	MP	90W	4
E7430	6MB	12MB	2.13 GHz	1066 MHz	MP	90W	4
E7420	6MB	8MB	2.13 GHz	1066 MHz	MP	90W	4
65-nm technology
X7350	8MB	0	2.93 GHz	1066 MHz	MP	130W	4
L7345	8MB	0	1.86 GHz	1066 MHz	MP	50W	4
E7340	8MB	0	2.40 GHz	1066 MHz	MP	80W	4
E7330	6MB	0	2.40 GHz	1066 MHz	MP	80W	4
E7320	4MB	0	2.13 GHz	1066 MHz	MP	80W	4
E7310	4MB	0	1.60 GHz	1066 MHz	MP	80W	4
E7220	8MB	0	2.93 GHz	1066 MHz	MP	80W	2
E7210	8MB	0	2.40 GHz	1066 MHz	MP	80W	2

I will go with the cheapest 45nm quad core with 12mb L3 cache, the Xeon E7430.  Now I'll search for a motherboard.

Intel® Xeon® Processor 5000 Sequence

These processors are for workstations.

Processor Number?	Cache	Clock Speed	Front Side Bus	System Type	Power	Dual-core	Quad-core
45-nm technology
X5492	12MB	3.40 GHz	1600 MHz	DP	150W
X5470	12MB	3.33 GHz	1333 MHz	DP	120W
X5482	12MB	3.20 GHz	1600 MHz	DP	120W
X5472	12MB	3.00 GHz	1600 MHz	DP	120W
E5472	12MB	3.00 GHz	1600 MHz	DP	80W
E5462	12MB	2.80 GHz	1600 MHz	DP	80W
X5460	12MB	3.16 GHz	1333 MHz	DP	120W
X5450	12MB	3.00 GHz	1333 MHz	DP	120W
E5450	12MB	3.00 GHz	1333 MHz	DP	80W
E5440	12MB	2.83 GHz	1333 MHz	DP	80W
L5430	12MB	2.66 GHz	1333 MHz	DP	50W
E5430	12MB	2.66 GHz	1333 MHz	DP	80W
L5420	12MB	2.50 GHz	1333 MHz	DP	50W
E5420	12MB	2.50 GHz	1333 MHz	DP	80W
L5410	12MB	2.33 GHz	1333 MHz	DP	50W
E5410	12MB	2.33 GHz	1333 MHz	DP	80W
E5405	12MB	2.00 GHz	1333 MHz	DP	80W
X5272	6MB	3.40 GHz	1600 MHz	DP	80W
X5270	6MB	3.50 GHz	1333 MHz	DP	80W
X5260	6MB	3.33 GHz	1333 MHz	DP	80W
L5240	6MB	3.00 GHz	1333 MHz	DP	40W
E5205	6MB	1.86 GHz	1066 MHz	DP	65W

For a 3D expert system Intel recommends this Xeon X5482 configuration.



The motherboard is a dual processor with LGA771 socket design.

ASUS DSEB-DG/SAS

High Power Efficiency Platform with SAS Support Ready

ASUS new server board DSEB-DG/SAS is based on 45nm Intel® Xeon® 5400/5300/5200/5100 processor with the green design of 90%+ power efficiency. Featured with leading-edge technology including FSB 1600MHz, FB-DIMM 800MHz, PCI-Express Gen2 x16 and SAS support, the DSEB-DG/SAS is the most out-performance server board which is ideal for enterprise-class and computing demanding applications.

[caption id="attachment_678" align="alignnone" width="300" caption="Asus DSEB-DG/SAS mother board"][/caption]

Motherboard Specifications

Processor	2 * LGA771 sockets support: Quad-Core Intel® Xeon® Processor 5300/5400 Series Processors Dual-Core Intel® Xeon® Processor 5100/5200 Series Processors
FSB	FSB 667/1066/1333/1600MHz
Core Logic	Intel® 5400 Memory Controller Hub (MCH) Intel® 6321ESB I/O Controller Hub (ICH)
Memory	8 * Fully-Buffered DIMM DDR2 533/667/800 Reg. ECC, Maximum up to 64 GB 1.5V (Low Voltage) & 1.8V supported
Storage Interface	Intel® 6321ESB support 6 SATA2 300MB/s ports LSI® 1068 PCI-X SAS controller support 8 SAS ports
RAID Support	Intel® 6321ESB: 6 SATA2 300MB/s ports Intel Matrix Storage (for Windows only) (Support software RAID 0, 1, 10 & 5)    LSI® 1068 PCI-X 8-port SAS controller: LSI® Integrated RAID 0, 1, 1E support Optional LSI® ZCR(Zero-Channel-RAID) PCI-X card: (For upgrade to support hardware RAID 0, 1, 10, 5, 50)
NIC	Quad-LAN: Intel® 6321+ Intel® 82563EB Dual Port GbE LAN 2 * Intel® 82573L GbE LAN
Onboard Gfx	XGI Z9s VGA Controller / 32MB DDR VRAM
Expansion Slot	2 * PCI-E x16 Gen2
	1 * PCI-E x8 (x8 link)
	2 * PCI-X 100/133 MHz
	1 * PCI 32bit/33 MHz
Form Factor	SSI EEB 3.61, 12” x 13”

Here is a specification for a Dell server.

GROUP: 1	QUANTITY: 1	SYSTEM PRICE:	GROUP TOTAL:
Base Unit:		Quad Core Xeon Processor E53102x4MB Cache, 1.60GHz, 1066MHz FSB, PE 1900 (222-6792)
Processor:		Quad Core Xeon 2nd Processor E5310, 2x4MB Cache, 1.60GHz 1066MHz FSB, PE1900 (311-6842)
Memory:		16GB 667MHz (8x2GB), Dual Ranked DIMMs, Spare-Row (311-7194)
Keyboard:		No Keyboard Selected (310-5017)
Video Card:		LOM NIC is TOE Ready (430-2966)
Hard Drive:		HD Multi-Select (341-4158)
Hard Drive Controller:		PERC 5/i, Integrated Controller Card (341-3018)
Floppy Disk Drive:		No Floppy Drive (341-3052)
Operating System:		No Operating System (420-6320)
Mouse:		Mouse Option None (310-0024)
NIC:		Intel PRO 1000 VT Quad Port (430-2687)
TBU:		No Tape Drive (341-4205)
CD-ROM or DVD-ROM Drive:		DVD-RW Drive, SATA (313-7135)
Cable:		1900 HARD DRIVE CABLE FOR MORE THAN 4 HDDs (310-8432)
Documentation Diskette:		Electronic Documentation and OpenManage DVD Kit (310-8292)
Feature		Integrated SAS/SATA RAID 0 PERC 5/i Integrated (341-4018)
Service:		Dell Hardware Warranty, Extended Year(s) (985-3298)
Service:		Dell Hardware Warranty Plus Onsite Service Initial Year (985-3307)
Service:		Pro Support for IT: Next Business Day Onsite Service After Problem Diagnosis, 2Year Extended (987-2462)
Service:		ProSupport for IT: 7x24 HW / SW Tech Support and Assistance for Certified IT Staff, 3 Year (987-2502)
Service:		Pro Support for IT: Next Business Day Onsite Service After Problem Diagnosis, Initial Year (987-6940)
Service:		Thank you choosing Dell ProSupport. For tech support, visit http://support.dell.com/ProSupport or call 1-800-945-33 (989-3439)
Installation:		On-Site Installation Declined (900-9997)
Misc:		Power Cord, NEMA 5-15P to C14,15 amp, wall plug, 10 feet / 3 meter (310-8509)
		500GB 7.2K RPM Serial ATA 3Gbps 3.5-in Cabled Hard Drive (341-3875) - Quantity 6