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Who Is The Best Vender For Rackmount Unix Systems?

Posted by Cliff on from the share-your-thoughts-and-experiences dept.

briansp asks: "What hardware vendors are people most happy with for rackmount Linux servers? We've looked at IBM, Dell, VA Linux, and others, as well as putting stuff together from parts. Important evaluation points for me are: price, quality, reliability, support, and quick turnaround on orders. Anyone have any vendors they've been particularly happy or unhappy with?"

2 of 16 comments (clear)

  1. I Like IBM by InitZero · · Score: 3

    We've got over 30 IBM Netfinity servers (3500, 3500M20, 5000, 5600, 8500, etc.) all of them bought in the last couple years. I'm a big fan of them.

    Most of these servers replaced Compaq products. We've ran into problems with Compaq taking too long to deliver product and poor quality control.

    The IBMs are fast and well built. There were some problems early on with Microsoft NT clustering not supporting SSA drives but that was resolved. (IBM and Microsoft worked together to get it fixed within three months. Not bad considering the players.)

    I've got a mostly stock RedHat 6.2 install running on a 3500 and a really warped version of Debian running on a 5000. Our IBM hardware tech is well versed in Linux and has giving me a good feeling about IBM's support of Linux.

    I may be biased, however. I've been working with IBM's RS/6000 products for many years and generally like IBM.

    InitZero

  2. Rack systems by jmdavis · · Score: 3

    We have a variety of VA Linux, Cobalt, Dell, and custom rack boxes.
    In general the VA Linux machines are great. documentation and quality control have suffered somewhat in their fast expansion, but they are still my first choice for linux boxen. We have several of the 4u units and three fullon (2u) servers.
    The cobalts are OK for generic web/ftp servers, but they are lacking as full featured servers.
    Dell has some great machines (including 2u rack units with dual pci busses). They are more pricey than VA Linux and the machines arrive with enough security holes to fly the Enterprise through.
    The custom boxes that we have are in the form of a turnkey 32p beowulf. They are 4u cases that are basically the same as the older VA cases. The systems work great and were secure and ready to roll when they arrived (they were mounted in the racks had the net cables cut and bundled. Once the network was connected and the power plugged in, it was ready to run. These came from Paralogic. (www.plogic.com).