Image Server

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Archive 2009 · Image Server

scottmead
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p.1 #1 · Image Server

Aloha! I've recently relocated and expanded my studio, which now encompasses two levels and several computers, which means I finally have to migrate to a image server. HP has its line of Mediasmart servers, which from the looks of the specs, will do the job. I've looked at HP & Dell business servers, but those can get quite pricey. Is there a better solution out there? Mahalo!

Nov 18, 2009 at 04:55 AM

John--G
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p.1 #2 · Image Server

I would be surprised if you really need that much horsepower for an "image server" as it will simply be actiing as a file and print server.

However, you get what you pay for. If your business operations will now be dependant on this server, you will want it to be as redundant as possible. That means at a minimum fault tolerant disks and power supplies. It also means having a support contract where someone will show up and repair it the same day.

Nov 18, 2009 at 12:31 PM

dan727
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p.1 #3 · Image Server

What kind of budget? How much data? What is your data backup plan?

The media start servers look good for the price. I guess these HP servers have a more sophisticated software RAID thanks to the OS... so you can add 2tb of redundant storage for $400. Or drop to 1.5 terabytes for around $250.

Dell servers start a little higher and by he time you throw on the OS and raid... you are looking at a $1000. Of course you get hardware RAID, business support, etc.

Nov 18, 2009 at 04:53 PM

scottmead
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p.1 #4 · Image Server

Not to sound cheap, but I've budgeted $750 for the server, and backups will be performed by a couple of Drobos that I already have. I'm looking at a total of 2TB to start, and upgrading from there (to date, I have 1.2TB of images in the collection).

Nov 18, 2009 at 10:58 PM

robstein
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p.1 #5 · Image Server

Edit - Scratch that, Your looking for a server. I use an old USRobotics NAS and it's been bullet proof - I have @1tb of RAID5 (lose one of the 4 drives).

If you want something local....

I have been looking at this

8 drive bays (2x4 really) and at $350 plus drives, pretty decent.

Nov 19, 2009 at 12:53 AM

Erie Patsellis
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p.1 #6 · Image Server

Were it me, for mission critical storage, I'd look to something that has dual PS, RAID 5 and feed each PS from a separate UPS (fed off each leg of the main supply). Running Linux, should be bulletproof. Depending on your level of knowledge (or a good IT person), it needn't be terribly expensive.

The UPS part is critical, "real" server grade hardware with at least dual supplies fed by individual UPS's mitigates hardware failures. I've found that getting -1 or -2 generation first tier (Compaq, HP, Dell) hardware can be relatively inexpensive. You could certainly get it within your budget, if buying used. If you buy used, find a good reseller and buy at the least a spare power supply, though I'd recommend a complete spare server (less case). The trend in IT circles is ~18 month life cycles, so a 2 gen old machine is at most 3-4 years old. My server has quad Pentium Pro processors, 3 750w power supplies and 3 RAID 5 arrays, and even on this older hardware, is network bandwidth limited. I'm due for an upgrade, and I'll be glad to not hear 21 10,000 RPM drives spinning.

Nov 19, 2009 at 02:30 AM

dan727
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p.1 #7 · Image Server

Erie Patsellis wrote:
Were it me, for mission critical storage, I'd look to something that has dual PS, RAID 5 and feed each PS from a separate UPS (fed off each leg of the main supply). Running Linux, should be bulletproof. Depending on your level of knowledge (or a good IT person), it needn't be terribly expensive.

RAID 5 is going to be a must in his case. The OP is already at 1.2TB. Max capacity at the moment is 2TB and there have been scattered reports of problems with certain brands. A mirrored volume will have 50% overhead so he will only be getting about 800Gb of additional storage or breaking the bank to buy more drives.

$750 will be cutting it close. You are looking at $300 at least for three 1.5TB drives (3Tb storgae for RAID 5)... or $450 for three 2TB drives (4TB total). Leaving about $300-$450 for hardware and OS. Although I have seen Dell sell their low end servers for under $250... but not sure how much room for additional drives there would be.

Now this is just an image server, mission critical yes, but he needs to determine how much $$$ it will cost to be down. If it were a business application server and downtime cost him $500 and hour then he should be more concerned with dual UPSes.

To me the important thing would be a stable server that is easy to manage.

Nov 19, 2009 at 03:11 PM

eddiejclayton
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p.1 #8 · Image Server

Any updates on what you decided to go with?

Dec 01, 2009 at 04:27 PM

scottmead
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p.1 #9 · Image Server

After spending a couple of weeks researching, talking to a few computer geeks, and speaking with sales associates from Dell and HP, I decided to go with HP's Mediasmart EX490 server, which includes a 1TB Seagate (ugh) drive.

In a nut shell, this turned out to be the perfect solution for my needs. The server was pretty much self-installing: Just plug it into your router or switch and the supplied software finds the server and loads the necessary software. The total initial setup time was about 20 minutes, and I had all three computers linked to the server within two hours.

One minor thing about this server: if you have a computer accessing the network via a wireless connection, the software tends to time out. I moved the machine where I could directly plug into the router, loaded the software, then returned it to the wireless network, and it found the server just fine.

After the server was setup, I added two additional 1TB Western Digital drives, which was a piece of cake - just insert the new drive into one of the expansion bay trays, then "add" the drive in the server's console software.

As I'm not an IT guy, I found this solution to be quick, easy and painless. Moreover, I now have access to my entire collection of images (plus all of our administrative documents and spreadsheets) from any computer in the Studio, plus remote access if I desire (I don't think I'm gonna setup that feature just yet.

Mahalo to all for your input!

Scott
ScottMeadPhotography.com

Dec 04, 2009 at 10:36 PM

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