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List:       lartc
Subject:    Re: [LARTC] OT: vendor hw recommendations
From:       Mohan Sundaram <mohan.tux () gmail ! com>
Date:       2007-11-21 1:29:16
Message-ID: 4743871C.9060707 () vsnl ! com
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C. Bergström wrote:
> I'm mostly just a lurker here, but with recent discussion just wanted to
> toss this question out to the community/vendors.
> 
> My preferences are..
> 
> 	a) low thermals (maybe sbc)
> 	b) routes 100-200Mbps with shaping
Most low thermal SBCs come with low end network controllers like 100Mbps 
RTL8139. Getting 100Mbps thro' most of these is impossible.
> 	c) 1U-4U rack mountable factor
I'd recommend a 1U server m/c. I used a Sunfire x2100 in March 2006 
costing $750 on the Net. Added a dual port PCIe GigE Intel board for 
$175 and was home booting from a USB stick with a memory based Linux for 
routing (persistent storage on USB stick for config).
> 	d) not sparc, alpha or mips based
> 	e) pci-x /pcie slot so I can put some quad port nic (open to
> suggestions)
Go Intel
> 	f) priced between 300-1000 USD
> 	g) serial port preferably with bios level access
> 
The Sunfire had a management processor independent of the Opteron which 
is a nice thing. Did not try to access it though. Helps if the systems 
hangs for some reason. Need to see if you can login to the processor 
thro' the onboard ethernet so that you can reboot the system remotely 
without a KVM/power control.

The Opteron generates a lot of heat. 1U chassis is well provisioned to 
cool it. These machines being servers are rated to run non-stop for 
pretty long. You may want to look at water cooling rigs to be safer.

Since these are not just routers, I know guys like IEI have OEM network 
boxes made for networking with multiple high end nics and switches on 
board. Helpful if you want to run large stateful firewalls or IDS etc on 
the edge. I'd be satisfied with a 1U server for your requirements though.

Mohan

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