Hosting and servers - We're getting there

[caughtatwork]

Code: Select all

$ cat /proc/cpuinfo
processor         : 0
vendor_id         : GenuineIntel
cpu family        : 15
model             : 4
model name        : Intel(R) Xeon(TM) CPU 3.60GHz
stepping          : 3
cpu MHz           : 3600.425
cache size        : 2048 KB
physical id       : 0
siblings          : 2
core id           : 0
cpu cores         : 1
fdiv_bug          : no
hlt_bug           : no
f00f_bug          : no
coma_bug          : no
fpu               : yes
fpu_exception     : yes
cpuid level       : 5
wp                : yes
flags             : fpu vme de pse tsc msr pae mce cx8 apic sep mtrr pge mca cmov pat pse36 clflush dts acpi mmx fxsr sse sse2 ss ht tm pbe lm constant_tsc pebs bts pni monitor ds_cpl est tm2 cid cx16 xtpr
bogomips          : 7204.74
clflush size      : 64

processor         : 1
vendor_id         : GenuineIntel
cpu family        : 15
model             : 4
model name        : Intel(R) Xeon(TM) CPU 3.60GHz
stepping          : 3
cpu MHz           : 3600.425
cache size        : 2048 KB
physical id       : 0
siblings          : 2
core id           : 0
cpu cores         : 1
fdiv_bug          : no
hlt_bug           : no
f00f_bug          : no
coma_bug          : no
fpu               : yes
fpu_exception     : yes
cpuid level       : 5
wp                : yes
flags             : fpu vme de pse tsc msr pae mce cx8 apic sep mtrr pge mca cmov pat pse36 clflush dts acpi mmx fxsr sse sse2 ss ht tm pbe lm constant_tsc pebs bts pni monitor ds_cpl est tm2 cid cx16 xtpr
bogomips          : 7200.44
clflush size      : 64

processor         : 2
vendor_id         : GenuineIntel
cpu family        : 15
model             : 4
model name        : Intel(R) Xeon(TM) CPU 3.60GHz
stepping          : 3
cpu MHz           : 3600.425
cache size        : 2048 KB
physical id       : 3
siblings          : 2
core id           : 0
cpu cores         : 1
fdiv_bug          : no
hlt_bug           : no
f00f_bug          : no
coma_bug          : no
fpu               : yes
fpu_exception     : yes
cpuid level       : 5
wp                : yes
flags             : fpu vme de pse tsc msr pae mce cx8 apic sep mtrr pge mca cmov pat pse36 clflush dts acpi mmx fxsr sse sse2 ss ht tm pbe lm constant_tsc pebs bts pni monitor ds_cpl est tm2 cid cx16 xtpr
bogomips          : 7200.56
clflush size      : 64

processor         : 3
vendor_id         : GenuineIntel
cpu family        : 15
model             : 4
model name        : Intel(R) Xeon(TM) CPU 3.60GHz
stepping          : 3
cpu MHz           : 3600.425
cache size        : 2048 KB
physical id       : 3
siblings          : 2
core id           : 0
cpu cores         : 1
fdiv_bug          : no
hlt_bug           : no
f00f_bug          : no
coma_bug          : no
fpu               : yes
fpu_exception     : yes
cpuid level       : 5
wp                : yes
flags             : fpu vme de pse tsc msr pae mce cx8 apic sep mtrr pge mca cmov pat pse36 clflush dts acpi mmx fxsr sse sse2 ss ht tm pbe lm constant_tsc pebs bts pni monitor ds_cpl est tm2 cid cx16 xtpr
bogomips          : 7200.48
clflush size      : 64



$ sudo lshw -C MEMORY
  *-memory
       description: System Memory
       physical id: 1000
       slot: System board or motherboard
       size: 4GiB
     *-bank:0
          description: DIMM DDR Synchronous 400 MHz (2.5 ns)
          physical id: 0
          slot: DIMM 01
          size: 512MiB
          width: 64 bits
          clock: 400MHz (2.5ns)
     *-bank:1
          description: DIMM DDR Synchronous 400 MHz (2.5 ns)
          physical id: 1
          slot: DIMM 02
          size: 512MiB
          width: 64 bits
          clock: 400MHz (2.5ns)
     *-bank:2
          description: DIMM DDR Synchronous 400 MHz (2.5 ns)
          physical id: 2
          slot: DIMM 03
          size: 512MiB
          width: 64 bits
          clock: 400MHz (2.5ns)
     *-bank:3
          description: DIMM DDR Synchronous 400 MHz (2.5 ns)
          physical id: 3
          slot: DIMM 04
          size: 512MiB
          width: 64 bits
          clock: 400MHz (2.5ns)
     *-bank:4
          description: DIMM DDR Synchronous 400 MHz (2.5 ns)
          physical id: 4
          slot: DIMM 05
          size: 1GiB
          width: 64 bits
          clock: 400MHz (2.5ns)
     *-bank:5
          description: DIMM DDR Synchronous 400 MHz (2.5 ns)
          physical id: 5
          slot: DIMM 06
          size: 1GiB
          width: 64 bits
          clock: 400MHz (2.5ns)

That's what's in each one. At a pinch I could take two 1GB RAM sticks from one machine and pop them into the other. That would increase the initial machine to 6GB RAM and decrease the other to 2GB RAM. We could then buy some replacement RAM for the 2nd machine for when we want to use it.

Or we just put in what we've got, see how it goes and then if necessary upgrade it.

Thoughts?

[CraigRat]

That, dear sir, would appear to me to be quite a grunty setup for one site... says he, trying to NOT underestimate the amount of loading it will get.

I think we should try with one for starters, and see how we go.
IIRC this server is meatier than the current one anyhow, at worst we will be providing a similar experience to what we currently have, but without impacting on other non-gca stuff.

It's not going to hurt to try with one, we can at least get the ball rolling with migration etc!!

Plus it doubles how long we can run on current funds..... which is something to consider..... no point running 2 if it's cosing us an buttload.

[caughtatwork]

Deal, done.
Did you have a preference for any particular colo?

[Papa Bear_Left]

You can also have the other server backing up the live one regularly, just in case there's a major hardware failure (or the co-lo goes into receivership or gets raided by the feds for hosting stuff from The Naughty List!)

We lose nothing by giving it a go, except maybe some of your time to re-jig things later if we do end up needing to run a dual server setup.

Oh, and you could also develop on the off-site machine and allow select beta testers to try out major new software on it.

(gc.com have finally started doing that recently, using the reviewers as the guinea pigs. If you didn't like some of the recent changes, you should've seen them BEFORE the beta testing!)

[CraigRat]

Deal, done.
Did you have a preference for any particular colo?

I like the look of the Burst deal, plus they will kick it in the backside for free if needed!

[caughtatwork]

OK.

I've fired an email to confirm that they do Melbourne colo for the same price as per their website.

This is an offering I spotted:
http://www.webhostingtalk.com.au/austra ... -8836.html

1RU colocation:
1x network port
1x power port
2x IP's
100Gb Bandwidth
$150/m inc GST

(With 2 IP's we can utilise the iLO port for remote reboot if the thing locks up or someone shuts it down without the -r)

They say they're in the new Pegasus Data Centre in Melbourne which I think is here:
http://maps.google.com.au/maps?f=q&sour ... 27637&z=15

This is their ABN search.
Been around for about 9 years (not necessarily all that time in hosting though).
http://www.abr.business.gov.au/(tabvzr5 ... earch=True

I'll give them a call on Tuesday. Port Melbourne is between home and office so I can easily drop past almost anytime (before my bedtime that is).

If it all looks OK when I speak to them I'll report back and we'll move on.

[SamCarter]

<silly mode>
I just did a careful study of the specs in caughtatwork's post at the top of the page.

WHERE ARE THE HIGH SPEED MUFFLER BEARINGS????

</silly mode>

OK ... You can get back to the serious stuff now.

[gmj3191]

Is that 55 Crockford Street? If so we just vacated it in August last year. It is mainly office accommodation with a raised floor computer room at the rear.

[caughtatwork]

Is that 55 Crockford Street? If so we just vacated it in August last year. It is mainly office accommodation with a raised floor computer room at the rear.

That's where the Pegasus centre is, yes.

[caughtatwork]

I emailed burstnetworks on Monday and they responded with:
Yes we do, however as for pricing and bandwidth i will have to pass this onto someone in accounts who will be in touch with you tomorrow.

Me to myself:
Huh? http://www.burstnetworks.com.au/colo.html This says $120 a month for 100GB, why would they need to get sales to get back to me.

So today I called them up and the guy I spoke to had an attention span like he was in the middle of playing Halo and why was I interrupting him.

I asked if they did Colo in Melbourne.
He asked if my name was Paul (no preamble, no nothing).
Peter actually I replied.
Oh yeah, did you send in a ticket for colo in Melbourne.
Yes that was me.
Oh OK, we'll get sales to get back to you today.
Why would sales need to get back to me, I asked, isn't the price as per your website.
No, not really, we tried to get a dedicated colo installation in Melbourne but there wasn't the interest but we can do colo in Melbourne.
Um, if you don't have colo in Melbourne, then how can you do colo in Melbourne I ask foolishly.
Mutter, mutter, that's what we need to get the sales guy to get back to you.
Oh OK says I reading between the lines, reseller. Thank, I'll look forward to the mail later today.

So, as far as the email from sales, er, um, nothing, nada, bugger all, zip, zilch.

I wonder if he beat that level in Halo?

If that's the level of customer service, I might have to pass. I'll look later today for other colo in Melbourne.

Please help me look. I'm feeling a little alone on this project. The more people we can get googling the higher the liklihood of someone stumbling across a suitable venue. The general requirements are in this thread.

[CraigRat]

What about these guys?
http://www.neural.com.au/colocation

Pricing seems ok 1RU Server Co-Location Package $119.00 / month

I've contacted them to see where their physical colos are.

1 Free Callout a month, $60 each other callout. GB links.

Seems good.

Looked at 4 or 5 others and they really hit you for the bandwidth!

[Richary]

http://www.surrenderonline.com.au/sydney-colocation.php

$66 pm for 1RU, though then they hit you for data charges as well and meter both ways.

Came across it yesterday looking up something else.

[CraigRat]

What about these guys?
http://www.neural.com.au/colocation

Pricing seems ok 1RU Server Co-Location Package $119.00 / month

I've contacted them to see where their physical colos are.

1 Free Callout a month, $60 each other callout. GB links.

Seems good.

Looked at 4 or 5 others and they really hit you for the bandwidth!

Just re-looked at this plan re-bandwidth, and it's for 50Gb ...niot too sure if thats up AND down or what, but would be fine as is.

After a fair bit of looking, it's still the best overall value for money I've seen.
I'll keep you informed.

Do you think it's worth pursuing a small subsidy on the hosting by offering a 'Rackspace provided by.....' discreetly in the footer and/or in the mailout? It could save us some coin, even if it's $20 a month a it's a few hundred less a year for us to spend......

[mtrax]

what is the current executive level summary of this project
server built % ? and waiting for deployment depending on the above?

is there a "rough" target date or is there some other decisions yet to be made?
eg end-of-month or next month?

note I do appreciate the work so far...
thanks

[CraigRat]

what is the current executive level summary of this project
server built % ? and waiting for deployment depending on the above?

is there a "rough" target date or is there some other decisions yet to be made?
eg end-of-month or next month?

note I do appreciate the work so far...
thanks

Summary is this:
We have yet to find a home.

Server build is partially done (OS and most major components IIRC), no testing has been done yet on the new servers, will have to wait till in its final home.
I've written migration scripts and I have successfully done a 'dry-run' on my dev system.

Date? Well, depends on how long it takes to find a suitable colo. We REALLY need the help of some of our members to find a place for the servers to live. Someone must know someone!