Technology Tidepool

I’m about to install Windows Server 2008 on an older Dell PowerEdge SC1420 server. It is nicely equipped, with 1x Xeon 2.8 GHz CPU, 2x 2 Gig DIMMs, 2x 250 Gig SATA HDs, and a newly installed DVD-R/W drive. I expect no problems, but I’m prepared for the worst.

After assembling the parts, I put the machine together and have the following notes:

• The machine can take more RAM, but 4 Gigs is plenty for my purpose (training server working on MS certification on my own dime/time).
• The stock CD-R/W drive was pulled, and replaced with an IDE DVD-R/W drive (est. cost about $25) to allow me to simply toss an install DVD in the machine and go – sure, USB DVD drives are available (I have one), but it’s so much nicer to have a DVD drive built-in to the server, and for $25 – I couldn’t say no. NOTE: Just make sure the drive is set to Cable Select (CS), as is the norm in most Dell systems I’ve come across.
• There is room for a second CPU, but to add a second CPU I’d need to secure not only an appropriate CPU and appropriate heatsink, but I’d also need the right add-in VRM – if I could find all that for $50 or less on eBay, I’d happily jump, but beyond that, I have a Hyper-V server if I need more “umph”. For my training purposes, a single CPU is fine.
• I have a surplused APC SmartUps 1500 that I’ll add to the system to keep it running through power outages, spikes, etc. I’ll initially connect it via direct USB link, but the SmartUps also has a network card that I’ll configure as time permits.
• This server has lots of room for expansion cards (3x PCI-X slots, 1x PCIe 4x and 1x PCIe 8x, as well as a PCI slot occupied with a very basic video card, an ATI Rage XL), so I can add RAID or NICs easily – if needed.

My next update will document the actual install – any special concerns or issues I think you should be aware of on this particular server for Windows Server 2008 (locating needed drivers, BIOS settings, etc.). I will NOT be installing a Dell Utility Partition on the HDs, nor will I be using a Dell Server Assist CD for the install – I’ll just be booting off the MS install DVD.

Stay tuned…

Tags: Install, sc1420, Windows Server 2008

This entry was posted on Tuesday, April 20th, 2010 at 8:27 am and is filed under DIY Datacenter. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.