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Building the Ultimate White Box Server for under $2000

Tuesday, June 23rd, 2009 – running time 30:34
Building the ultimate white box ESXi server for under $2000! Can it be done? Darren and Matt grab the company credit card and answer that question.

When it comes to building a white box server for ESXi your best resources are vm-help.com, UltimateWhiteBox.com, the VMware Compatibility Guide, and the VMware community.

We carefully selects ESXi supported components based on reliability and value. If this were the ultimate $3000 white box server we might have picked a server board with dual Xeon's and ECC memory, but to keep it under that magic $2000 price point we went with beefy "desktop" components such as the Intel Core i7 920, the ASUS P6T Deluxe, and 12 GB of Corsair XMS3 memory.

Drive wise you can't go wrong with the 3ware 9650SE-4LPML. It supports four SATA II drives in RAID 0, 1, 5, 10 or JBOD. It's bigger brother the 9650SE-16ML sixteen channel SATA II controller is hot too -- just at three times the price. The 9650SE isn't supported out of the box by ESXi, however 3ware provides a knowledge base article and drivers necessary to add support for the card after your ESXi box is built.

Drive wise we picked up four Western Digital Caviar Black 1TB drives since they're cheap and reliable.

To make things easy when installing all these components in our Rosewill RSV-Z4000 4U rackmount case we picked up a 4 Drive trayless how swap sata backplane from StarTech. IcyDock makes one too. This was the only $100 spent for convenience over performance/value, but anyone who has dealt with 5.25" to 3.5" mounting brackets will agree it's worth every penny.

Rather than installing ESXi on the RAID, we used a 4GB USB drive from Patriot. The Xporter XT. It boasts really fast read/write times. I'm sure any old 1gb or larget USB drive would have done but they're so cheap, why not?

We're doing a little white box server contest. Winners will get all sorts of swag from the Hak5 Store. Check out all the details in the episode release thread at Hak5.org

Highlights
hard drives ( 5:21, 7:29, 10:16, 18:39, 25:31, 5:21, 7:29, 10:16, 18:39, 25:31 ) squarespace ( 0:29, 6:04, 6:08, 6:15, 6:23, 6:30, 6:36, 6:39, 0:29, 6:04, 6:08, 6:15, 6:23, 6:30, 6:36, 6:39 ) video game ( 18:06, 18:06 ) tekzilla ( 4:07, 4:07 ) hard drives ( 5:21, 7:29, 10:16, 18:39, 25:31, 5:21, 7:29, 10:16, 18:39, 25:31 ) squarespace ( 0:29, 6:04, 6:08, 6:15, 6:23, 6:30, 6:36, 6:39, 0:29, 6:04, 6:08, 6:15, 6:23, 6:30, 6:36, 6:39 ) video game ( 18:06, 18:06 ) tekzilla ( 4:07, 4:07 )

Automatically Generated Transcript(may not be 100% accurate) ( more )

" War."

" Coming up on the show building. 2000 -- sexy white boxer from start you've finished. All that and more on this episode of Hak5. This episode of Hak5 is brought -- you by godaddy Squarespace game fly and viewers like you everybody well."

" This week's episode of Hak5 I met last I'm scared kitchen and I'm Shannon march. And we have to show that a lot of -- asking about recently since we started -- sex series. And that being. Building a purpose. Machine purpose built machines specifically for yes it's time now we know that we can actually take. Some Harlem -- laying around. And it's only it's a time that we've done that before but. You have a need -- some some hardware so."

" That's what we're doing and I do I do look -- remember how like a while ago right I talked about how basically they're two different types of it means there's you. -- Abbas the -- here's the MX how fun. And then you know there's has more of maintenance and then because we don't have a whole lot of money and then you know to them with a small company in an. Well I do I've really gotta make it stretch especially you know on these tough economic times that shot -- you know make this stuff stretched so yeah I mean it's it's it's to look."

" Point where you know your infrastructure is aging much quicker. Than you know it had it so yeah while everything was good. Now things Europe approaching you know level of critic reality that it's like. And I believe it's -- a little bit of money in this yet so so that's what -- do we've got a server here now. Talking about you know purpose built yet. So. Your goal was to get the most if you possibly could on -- 2000 -- that was."

" But it was 2000 dollars that we it was like 1950. Shipped. So you know posted on and more on drugs unhappy on this but anyway the point being. Is that. What I need these do you are basically run you know. You know domain controller you know a couple of windows boxes and -- them you know just set up AD the B key and the RRA -- Now a couple of little do that and there may -- accounting systems and a couple other others you know. Hosted -- up. And an anti yes all of your servers in the office now. Are they all that's taken in use for some purpose or another so you don't have anything yeah he's. Plate at the thing is everything is physical right so mean I can play all I want in my life little test lab upstairs with no -- hardware that are apparently around. It's one thing to play with that and learn and experiment you like wow I could really late you know totally replaces network with a single machine. But I'm not about -- A spare Indian that I got man ground and actually like the plea that expected to you know run and I wouldn't call -- and nobody gonna die. If the web servers down for ten minutes. It that. The servers. But yet so. So it's nice to have you because every it's just like war others that are. Physical machines. You know to -- web you know they're running out than an average of 15 to 10% if you it's pretty pathetic life. Now. Anyway so we got money -- but with some fun stuff and so that's what we're getting it here's -- in general purpose. He effects -- server for your enterprises is and specifically. For like oh we need you know the best database or read it to grant right. -- best applications -- this this is the -- general server. But anyway so this is not that purpose we don't have 15000 rpm drives we don't have. You know dual Xeon running you know that back stuff but -- into -- if you're you're Patrick show Tekzilla. You'll note that you know 500 dollar gaming rig can exist and I'm saying the 2000 dollar. You know. Rack mount happy server to replace for aging pieces of crap that is doable well yeah -- yeah exactly get into it let's. Yet I -- I'm waiting for -- that you called I didn't want to mention. That want to the other reasons why I'm going this route. Is because I mean to go where adults are okay so and there's nothing wrong with that there's nothing wrong B and HP shop -- especially -- I mean that's what I. Patent oath and you know -- scratch so. So support was never an option anyway right I'm this -- and some -- with that right. And and you know. Tax we just get that call -- little nine in the patents on that but. What is trying to say was -- backed -- that's similar rate over it though. Like 4500 dollars and -- wasn't even to go to -- You know -- To do like a when he active is that there is an active yet something like it is when he is in nineteen anyway. Late start he get. It's human level Letterman and you get the eighty -- are currently. Need to really -- hard drives are -- group earned you know. If you got a lot of cool stuff there were actually you know that. The first time that we've actually audit and we've been building machines for ourselves personally for a long time but you know. This thing this is just a box well loss this yet cool well let's get into the boxes -- Austin but first let's kick him when Shannon and see what's going on this."

" Week in trivia. This is Lan party this next here in it right. This month -- party is counterstrike source so we're gonna be playing over at CSS dot Hak5 dollar on Saturday June 27 which is. This Saturday make sure to sign up and vote for future games over Hak5 -- dot Squarespace dot com."

" Thank you scripts. As you know Squarespace is the quick and easy way to build a beautiful blogger website without ever messing with -- And over the last six months Squarespace is grown over a 100%. May attribute much of that group of fans like you. As a special thanks Revision 3 fans Squarespace will be giving away an iPhone a day for the next thirty days to lucky fans. -- have to do is include how Squarespace to a tweak. He entered into the drawing a winner will be chosen at the end of each day and announce on Squarespace dot com and twitter.com slash Squarespace. "

" Stevens creek and then we're gonna get into hardware and there's probably going to hurt itself."

" Sorry guys so as you can see and we are just about ready to Starr are construction project. And if you don't know how -- screw driver. -- learn how it's basically turn it yet we're gonna move kind of fast. Finally pop up when we need to the first renewable Leo we've actually got. Right here we've got a three. Bay. Enclosure. What if it in your its five and quarter run it it yet 35 and quarter inch bay. That holds four hard drives that are hot swap mobile. It's -- kind of connectors on the fact that you connect directly in. On the slide in all pretty and stuff and -- gonna do that hopefully it doesn't break west frontier Western Digital one terabyte black conditions that we got. On C broken already they're probably okay -- you know bombs just terabytes. Yet you wrote."

" I went and and I just didn't wanna. Sourced it and it. Again. --"

" On believe anyway so I put down. Then there's the connector there anyway -- the slide and and then. You know when the -- in --"

" Find out one. And there's a right side anyway. So we've got twelve gigs of course there -- here this is DDR three because we're using it desktop war. We're not using ECC we're not using ACC which is sometimes which you have on. -- the on board you're gonna need to use he sees the so wired but. Desktop port doesn't require and that's how this is coming in under -- is yet as this is you know. Basically it's a very if you workstation but for all intents and purposes is that there. So so that the brings up the core I 7920. -- amazing bang for the buck I think the processors what -- to forty don't know it's all done something like that price but. -- that the price performance ratio of this chip we're not gonna overclocking even though with this beast of -- board. This. -- is a 260. Dollar board on last night checks he 62 wants -- to. Which. Is an absolute be an engineering. It's a shame that in most of the stuff that's actually on the board isn't supported by yes exide. Which is why we had it yet but a couple other things but. Regardless you wanna I wanna -- solid boy yeah they've been having problems yet and that's supposedly what the what he sixty is so you know and I did. Success with -- sports and that's. We've got AM SI 8400. GTs. Decently that some cheap though just video out. Yeah we've got. 650 watt power supply it just so happens to be -- course there it. Probably could've been just about anyone else but you know I wouldn't skimp on it I wouldn't go with like I mean if it's gonna be a server I wouldn't go width. Like a rose well era yes -- Tights years I would even with a pal that's it's pretty much that will take or course there or masterful master. And the last component critical component we've got is that three where raid controller. That's the other side."

" So lots of happy hard drives. And this is I mean it's pretty much -- this and the other PCI and under are the big deal when it comes to the difference between the on board stuff that we would typically be using. If this war in fact or you know just like. You know. Pulling out from -- closet or under a bad computer. Verses in this purpose built. One is that you know we've got dedicated cards to rather than just eating what's on here I mean their dual neck on here we've got to marble. Gigabit next Wii it got a dedicated for that and tinkering with the rate so. Tell me about this freeware because you are crazy."

" Open and that's why -- and why like freeware simply because they offer. You know. Obviously you're not gonna be using. The rate six because you want more storage however. Raid six is raid five bump up a notch it's. And minus two so it's dual -- And the reason that I like -- two drives and still keep go yes that's. But beyond that this supports -- fifty which Olympic report. Proponent if you're running. You know -- or more drives right and the like. And then also you know leaders of this new action -- the nice thing is. If you're looking to spend a little bit of money. Actually a lot of money yet they have a single card that will do sixteen. Drives and it's a card."

" That's that's pretty hot yes yeah. And that might be something that you know I'll consider it later in the other you know kind of cool thing about this particular case which is the -- well but it. It's the case parts like. Is. The for their actions are the three -- quarter action but here and here this one's got it in and at the moment. But later on if that means is that you pop another one of these guys and then go for drives the drive. Of course and -- irate because that he -- single. PCI. With a small connect you can plugs loans and they want to. That's exciting well in that case rate for small ones and big ones what about now so. Without getting too much more ahead of -- something the only other component was the next but it's just here's standard. Intel 1000 -- something like that anyway. Which is on the support -- he had over two vehement the international help. That's the place the they're three CX and it appears that freeware card is supported by. But it's not on the official VMware supported list so going to have to make modifications. To. Yes sex okay and the so this the other difference there is and ask you about this is to reinstall the -- On the -- on our nice little three terabyte raid -- here or do we -- it on."

" Some other drive on big fan of separation and so. We've got a four gig patriot XT. Flash drive that we're gonna actually throw it on two they do make headers for you plug like. USB key rate in two the board but we've actually got. The but I would bet there's gonna break up a dongle yet -- area so troops this box. And when I often do I want to -- should -- cool. Took turns and screwdrivers."

" It's of their first now we're gonna install some processor -- I like to do everything external case. It's because it's easier. Angered we we just went with the the box. Because we're not gonna -- by itself. This is -- hot rod. Yeah and the difference between. The legacy on here vs T I seventh version of -- it is basically. We're not gonna be able to go full processors. Right and that's kind of a shame but if we are building Netflix 2000 dollars. Ultimate. Application server daily everybody would have been better spent in the horsepower arena but I think a single quad cores going to run -- the."

" As we explained. We are not installing. The actual ESX server. Upon the on the raid there will be doing is installing it from this little. USB drive and just make sure. -- cleanly he would of these stupid at the office. Unplug their server but we're gonna do is method that there's you know that Paterson -- right onto the motherboard internally USB we didn't spring for that. And just -- the internal. Header that would normally go on if he's got back plain -- here on the back to computer. And we're gonna -- you know US being and then we'll find some -- like suckered in somewhere -- Our operating."

" Right so we are just about ready to wrap this sucker up and actually installed some software but first. Particularly -- Shannon for this week's. Last week's trivia question wives. What'd German researchers discovered in 2008. A flaw in WPA TP IP back and -- short packets such as our messages. It was correctly answer by sounds and congratulations on and he -- whip Eric -- Martin back. -- we're going to be sending you some sleaze -- from the -- Next up I'm gonna tell you about this week's contest. But first let me think -- sponsor godaddy. If you want to make an impact online godaddy.com has what you need dot com names inflows of dollars 99 plus world class hosting fast and easy web site builders and much more. -- Except let me tell you about art contest this week. This week we'll -- you to spec out your own 2000 dollars white box servers. Specifically we want to know why you chose and what parts as. And we want you to tell us about over in the episode 519 released Red -- five dot org slash forums. We'll take our favorite entry and wolves and use them rat pack French flag along with the very last Hak5 shot glass. Next of the guys are going to build is sexy software. And press we're going to think about it."

" I want to let everybody knows that. Dean Klein is an amazing service they are the largest online video game rentals service and offer a choice of over 6000 new and classic titles across all councils and elves we plants are you 15951. Game by members can rent 124 games at a time and keep them for as long. As they like you can also purchase a game if you fall in love with it built into the box and the manual. Pornography. And over to gain slide dot com slash Hak5 to get. Two week free trial membership game line dot com slash act."

" Our guys so the hardware is all assembled we have played in the hard drives at these stores but efforts need to install the software. Possibly because we have -- that we need plea. -- so we're gonna do now as we are gonna start it up. And we have unplugged some. I mean -- and and it's just because you know with the mics and everything. The -- That witness servers are that CD-ROM drives yet the theorem transfer not a choice like that. Now I mean. For example your your server okay is -- it went -- thousand dollars server injured when he gave the program yet. Have how many -- many redundant and what has fans that. That -- and has fans that suck. So it's like a pro. I think I'm doing so awesome so. That thing must really sound like it's taken off well I mean when you first start it gather always you know a 100%. And apparently I missed the new. Protection. -- yet to change in the bias -- The Clinton bias and priority like the idea. A right there we go. After -- a little bit of trouble shooting we found that we actually disabled the storage controller in that attack is the ground is not the same -- I mean here's another whenever any you know that bias the heart's content. What are we doing here so we are loading the yes sex -- four point oh. Installer. Which is its gonna be a little bit more intensive than the three point five version that we installed on the little shot right here. Remember four point 064. Bit. Three point five which -- it's still downloading it keys for. 32 -- yet. In the we're going to be that's right we don't have to act one. Aliens ITT's of that if you do have some air going to support instructions work that's fun. So let's say look this dotted lines if yes art so basically we. Didn't have our data store drives installed right and configure them on the raid controller yet we put them -- so now yeah. So the only thing that's actually storage controller right now is this little. Inky blue light and this is what's actually -- and yet the blinking blue light is a four gig hard drive. And and we're actually installing he has excited this because ES -- Has needed USB. Device. Stores controller -- because that's when you buy one from Dell idea -- HP in -- that ties their ages stick one. On the board and."

" That's exciting -- showing me a a little a little widget that actually goes on the motherboard yet to turn one of those connectors for internal USB. Into an internal -- visiting the poplar drive and that's that's hot. That's good to know that were excellent place to -- only -- it could be going right exactly. What's the -- do do."

" All right so now. We're not gonna go through the raid configuration per say just because it is different from car -- yet but it's important -- That with this particular white box there are going to be some compromises -- whatnot and -- and our pixel -- frankly I mean you know we're also seeing a couple grand here so the point being. This beautiful little freeware card here that raid controller it's open up the raid five 41 terabyte drives in there is is super sexy and sweet and is supported by. Yes text -- directly from freeware that the difference though is it is not built into the it's built into VMware so it's akin to saying. You know all I got that cool graphics. You -- like it's like installing windows and it. Doesn't recognize your network currently again -- because you decided to get a -- Card instead of Intel in LA out that the good ones only got to do to get this -- a case so this is nice because freeware has a equal knowledge base without step by step so basically always have to use coming here to our and I think actually have to be logged -- to. These here first on the go ahead and do that down here can. And hesitancy and pull up. Is this. He's your client. Login. Art so when loaded up here to these your client and what's cool though is. To install these drivers will we actually view disease here feel I I action. This has been effort I'm excited here and that so what does that we need new -- bumpers. Right and you can probably speak to that better than I could but basically we need to bring the server special -- that we can so that we can mess with it. So we just go into work like here under inventory. And it's an administrative right click -- post now right click here. While law. And yes we know and it's. -- it's in in means it's killing his illness thing pretty worked on. Love and patents and goodness -- and author fingers to yet lord loved us tonight. And we will -- and if not we will have it in Wellington and that's so. Here we are. This is the command line interface basically it's just -- Perl scripts we are on into the bin folder here and we're going to execute the I host -- Perl script here. That's that's -- server are. Root user are marvelous password here and and basically this offline attack bundle does that -- battery. Ease the in the -- that we download from freeware that's our drivers for -- tax side. And it's gonna go ahead with -- signature to what you would on non Q well drivers. And then can presenters who happens and his can see here in the background. We get done as you can see that we've got installed. In progress -- That's time workmanship. So am installed all get a huge kick the server so let's go ahead and an economy that's in here now. Exit maintenance. Or yeah. Right click. They could. Reduced. Yes."

" I mean -- you yeah."

" Reason. -- taught -- goodness here. You know we nearly shut and windows got to play it was you base your you and terror he has a appear here like -- windows and it's like. This server 2003 have like why did I shut down -- like because you're stiff if it thinks that we could see our load. The one. So the good news is after the reboot we actually have the card recognized by ES exide flawlessly. Booted off RUS be and could see our hard drives. Now if we actually go over to the storage adapter list right so we're back here in the these your client and we can take a look here that's. -- How are rated at 96 the T and TSE SATA two raid. And there we go so we can go ahead start creating volumes as you've shown before. And and -- breezed through. I mean didn't even really touch too much obvious anti inflation but you can record prior to. The fact that. But it's exciting to get the new hardware and I think it's a testament to you. You know how are you can take this when you actually do a little research on what white box hardware is compatible and for that we you know cats you. All the white box dot com as well as -- help dot com great places also if you're that means shop on new egg -- stuff just. That feedback stuff. Check at the comments and search within the comment of the effect might and a few hours -- I mean the -- great place to go and just you know VMware community forums like you said."

" Pretty much there's there's a bunch of different places you go. But. Probably somebody's done before then so you just gotta figure out. Who and how they did it -- at work -- percent. But I mean yet we have. If fully functional Quad Core running on an Intel I 7920. With twelve gigs of ram and a bad at --"

" I love it and look we're only -- 43 megahertz being used so we've got a bigger -- to go ahead and write all this on. Accounting servers another excellent. A active directory. Yes. So anyway and that we're gonna put this to use I'm stoked you on I mean like it even mind like port heart -- Like via the I would probably a little more. We do you want to remind you got that we. Guys that you -- it -- if just one of -- That we love your feedback if there's an experimental pages like this one. And go ahead -- feedback -- comments it reforms that work week in losses. Would you guys. Would have -- server here I mean we -- green. Game gaming rigs all day long when you're you're you man. Or you're and certainly not so let us know and we be in the contest thing. And it. I think that's pretty much it's or feedback. You know definitely support the show like -- seen -- to continue you know. A lot. Well. We love your support with this -- Here."

" That article we don't yet know to stick around at the end which after the credits you -- know what pilots eat these. You fight. It's all about said. It's. My media. -- Congratulations there. Together -- about it graphics card. -- prevention you know who refused -- mark remark. I got scores man. She must server running -- three. --"

" But you don't them."

" You did it has to -- Let's -- that. You'll burn. Somewhat. -- earth. I mean this had to the world love that. You could suffocate in here. And fade to black."

" War."

" Coming up on the show building. 2000 -- sexy white boxer from start you've finished. All that and more on this episode of Hak5. This episode of Hak5 is brought -- you by godaddy Squarespace game fly and viewers like you everybody well."

" This week's episode of Hak5 I met last I'm scared kitchen and I'm Shannon march. And we have to show that a lot of -- asking about recently since we started -- sex series. And that being. Building a purpose. Machine purpose built machines specifically for yes it's time now we know that we can actually take. Some Harlem -- laying around. And it's only it's a time that we've done that before but. You have a need -- some some hardware so."

" That's what we're doing and I do I do look -- remember how like a while ago right I talked about how basically they're two different types of it means there's you. -- Abbas the -- here's the MX how fun. And then you know there's has more of maintenance and then because we don't have a whole lot of money and then you know to them with a small company in an. Well I do I've really gotta make it stretch especially you know on these tough economic times that shot -- you know make this stuff stretched so yeah I mean it's it's it's to look."

" Point where you know your infrastructure is aging much quicker. Than you know it had it so yeah while everything was good. Now things Europe approaching you know level of critic reality that it's like. And I believe it's -- a little bit of money in this yet so so that's what -- do we've got a server here now. Talking about you know purpose built yet. So. Your goal was to get the most if you possibly could on -- 2000 -- that was."

" But it was 2000 dollars that we it was like 1950. Shipped. So you know posted on and more on drugs unhappy on this but anyway the point being. Is that. What I need these do you are basically run you know. You know domain controller you know a couple of windows boxes and -- them you know just set up AD the B key and the RRA -- Now a couple of little do that and there may -- accounting systems and a couple other others you know. Hosted -- up. And an anti yes all of your servers in the office now. Are they all that's taken in use for some purpose or another so you don't have anything yeah he's. Plate at the thing is everything is physical right so mean I can play all I want in my life little test lab upstairs with no -- hardware that are apparently around. It's one thing to play with that and learn and experiment you like wow I could really late you know totally replaces network with a single machine. But I'm not about -- A spare Indian that I got man ground and actually like the plea that expected to you know run and I wouldn't call -- and nobody gonna die. If the web servers down for ten minutes. It that. The servers. But yet so. So it's nice to have you because every it's just like war others that are. Physical machines. You know to -- web you know they're running out than an average of 15 to 10% if you it's pretty pathetic life. Now. Anyway so we got money -- but with some fun stuff and so that's what we're getting it here's -- in general purpose. He effects -- server for your enterprises is and specifically. For like oh we need you know the best database or read it to grant right. -- best applications -- this this is the -- general server. But anyway so this is not that purpose we don't have 15000 rpm drives we don't have. You know dual Xeon running you know that back stuff but -- into -- if you're you're Patrick show Tekzilla. You'll note that you know 500 dollar gaming rig can exist and I'm saying the 2000 dollar. You know. Rack mount happy server to replace for aging pieces of crap that is doable well yeah -- yeah exactly get into it let's. Yet I -- I'm waiting for -- that you called I didn't want to mention. That want to the other reasons why I'm going this route. Is because I mean to go where adults are okay so and there's nothing wrong with that there's nothing wrong B and HP shop -- especially -- I mean that's what I. Patent oath and you know -- scratch so. So support was never an option anyway right I'm this -- and some -- with that right. And and you know. Tax we just get that call -- little nine in the patents on that but. What is trying to say was -- backed -- that's similar rate over it though. Like 4500 dollars and -- wasn't even to go to -- You know -- To do like a when he active is that there is an active yet something like it is when he is in nineteen anyway. Late start he get. It's human level Letterman and you get the eighty -- are currently. Need to really -- hard drives are -- group earned you know. If you got a lot of cool stuff there were actually you know that. The first time that we've actually audit and we've been building machines for ourselves personally for a long time but you know. This thing this is just a box well loss this yet cool well let's get into the boxes -- Austin but first let's kick him when Shannon and see what's going on this."

" Week in trivia. This is Lan party this next here in it right. This month -- party is counterstrike source so we're gonna be playing over at CSS dot Hak5 dollar on Saturday June 27 which is. This Saturday make sure to sign up and vote for future games over Hak5 -- dot Squarespace dot com."

" Thank you scripts. As you know Squarespace is the quick and easy way to build a beautiful blogger website without ever messing with -- And over the last six months Squarespace is grown over a 100%. May attribute much of that group of fans like you. As a special thanks Revision 3 fans Squarespace will be giving away an iPhone a day for the next thirty days to lucky fans. -- have to do is include how Squarespace to a tweak. He entered into the drawing a winner will be chosen at the end of each day and announce on Squarespace dot com and twitter.com slash Squarespace. "

" Stevens creek and then we're gonna get into hardware and there's probably going to hurt itself."

" Sorry guys so as you can see and we are just about ready to Starr are construction project. And if you don't know how -- screw driver. -- learn how it's basically turn it yet we're gonna move kind of fast. Finally pop up when we need to the first renewable Leo we've actually got. Right here we've got a three. Bay. Enclosure. What if it in your its five and quarter run it it yet 35 and quarter inch bay. That holds four hard drives that are hot swap mobile. It's -- kind of connectors on the fact that you connect directly in. On the slide in all pretty and stuff and -- gonna do that hopefully it doesn't break west frontier Western Digital one terabyte black conditions that we got. On C broken already they're probably okay -- you know bombs just terabytes. Yet you wrote."

" I went and and I just didn't wanna. Sourced it and it. Again. --"

" On believe anyway so I put down. Then there's the connector there anyway -- the slide and and then. You know when the -- in --"

" Find out one. And there's a right side anyway. So we've got twelve gigs of course there -- here this is DDR three because we're using it desktop war. We're not using ECC we're not using ACC which is sometimes which you have on. -- the on board you're gonna need to use he sees the so wired but. Desktop port doesn't require and that's how this is coming in under -- is yet as this is you know. Basically it's a very if you workstation but for all intents and purposes is that there. So so that the brings up the core I 7920. -- amazing bang for the buck I think the processors what -- to forty don't know it's all done something like that price but. -- that the price performance ratio of this chip we're not gonna overclocking even though with this beast of -- board. This. -- is a 260. Dollar board on last night checks he 62 wants -- to. Which. Is an absolute be an engineering. It's a shame that in most of the stuff that's actually on the board isn't supported by yes exide. Which is why we had it yet but a couple other things but. Regardless you wanna I wanna -- solid boy yeah they've been having problems yet and that's supposedly what the what he sixty is so you know and I did. Success with -- sports and that's. We've got AM SI 8400. GTs. Decently that some cheap though just video out. Yeah we've got. 650 watt power supply it just so happens to be -- course there it. Probably could've been just about anyone else but you know I wouldn't skimp on it I wouldn't go with like I mean if it's gonna be a server I wouldn't go width. Like a rose well era yes -- Tights years I would even with a pal that's it's pretty much that will take or course there or masterful master. And the last component critical component we've got is that three where raid controller. That's the other side."

" So lots of happy hard drives. And this is I mean it's pretty much -- this and the other PCI and under are the big deal when it comes to the difference between the on board stuff that we would typically be using. If this war in fact or you know just like. You know. Pulling out from -- closet or under a bad computer. Verses in this purpose built. One is that you know we've got dedicated cards to rather than just eating what's on here I mean their dual neck on here we've got to marble. Gigabit next Wii it got a dedicated for that and tinkering with the rate so. Tell me about this freeware because you are crazy."

" Open and that's why -- and why like freeware simply because they offer. You know. Obviously you're not gonna be using. The rate six because you want more storage however. Raid six is raid five bump up a notch it's. And minus two so it's dual -- And the reason that I like -- two drives and still keep go yes that's. But beyond that this supports -- fifty which Olympic report. Proponent if you're running. You know -- or more drives right and the like. And then also you know leaders of this new action -- the nice thing is. If you're looking to spend a little bit of money. Actually a lot of money yet they have a single card that will do sixteen. Drives and it's a card."

" That's that's pretty hot yes yeah. And that might be something that you know I'll consider it later in the other you know kind of cool thing about this particular case which is the -- well but it. It's the case parts like. Is. The for their actions are the three -- quarter action but here and here this one's got it in and at the moment. But later on if that means is that you pop another one of these guys and then go for drives the drive. Of course and -- irate because that he -- single. PCI. With a small connect you can plugs loans and they want to. That's exciting well in that case rate for small ones and big ones what about now so. Without getting too much more ahead of -- something the only other component was the next but it's just here's standard. Intel 1000 -- something like that anyway. Which is on the support -- he had over two vehement the international help. That's the place the they're three CX and it appears that freeware card is supported by. But it's not on the official VMware supported list so going to have to make modifications. To. Yes sex okay and the so this the other difference there is and ask you about this is to reinstall the -- On the -- on our nice little three terabyte raid -- here or do we -- it on."

" Some other drive on big fan of separation and so. We've got a four gig patriot XT. Flash drive that we're gonna actually throw it on two they do make headers for you plug like. USB key rate in two the board but we've actually got. The but I would bet there's gonna break up a dongle yet -- area so troops this box. And when I often do I want to -- should -- cool. Took turns and screwdrivers."

" It's of their first now we're gonna install some processor -- I like to do everything external case. It's because it's easier. Angered we we just went with the the box. Because we're not gonna -- by itself. This is -- hot rod. Yeah and the difference between. The legacy on here vs T I seventh version of -- it is basically. We're not gonna be able to go full processors. Right and that's kind of a shame but if we are building Netflix 2000 dollars. Ultimate. Application server daily everybody would have been better spent in the horsepower arena but I think a single quad cores going to run -- the."

" As we explained. We are not installing. The actual ESX server. Upon the on the raid there will be doing is installing it from this little. USB drive and just make sure. -- cleanly he would of these stupid at the office. Unplug their server but we're gonna do is method that there's you know that Paterson -- right onto the motherboard internally USB we didn't spring for that. And just -- the internal. Header that would normally go on if he's got back plain -- here on the back to computer. And we're gonna -- you know US being and then we'll find some -- like suckered in somewhere -- Our operating."

" Right so we are just about ready to wrap this sucker up and actually installed some software but first. Particularly -- Shannon for this week's. Last week's trivia question wives. What'd German researchers discovered in 2008. A flaw in WPA TP IP back and -- short packets such as our messages. It was correctly answer by sounds and congratulations on and he -- whip Eric -- Martin back. -- we're going to be sending you some sleaze -- from the -- Next up I'm gonna tell you about this week's contest. But first let me think -- sponsor godaddy. If you want to make an impact online godaddy.com has what you need dot com names inflows of dollars 99 plus world class hosting fast and easy web site builders and much more. -- Except let me tell you about art contest this week. This week we'll -- you to spec out your own 2000 dollars white box servers. Specifically we want to know why you chose and what parts as. And we want you to tell us about over in the episode 519 released Red -- five dot org slash forums. We'll take our favorite entry and wolves and use them rat pack French flag along with the very last Hak5 shot glass. Next of the guys are going to build is sexy software. And press we're going to think about it."

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" Our guys so the hardware is all assembled we have played in the hard drives at these stores but efforts need to install the software. Possibly because we have -- that we need plea. -- so we're gonna do now as we are gonna start it up. And we have unplugged some. I mean -- and and it's just because you know with the mics and everything. The -- That witness servers are that CD-ROM drives yet the theorem transfer not a choice like that. Now I mean. For example your your server okay is -- it went -- thousand dollars server injured when he gave the program yet. Have how many -- many redundant and what has fans that. That -- and has fans that suck. So it's like a pro. I think I'm doing so awesome so. That thing must really sound like it's taken off well I mean when you first start it gather always you know a 100%. And apparently I missed the new. Protection. -- yet to change in the bias -- The Clinton bias and priority like the idea. A right there we go. After -- a little bit of trouble shooting we found that we actually disabled the storage controller in that attack is the ground is not the same -- I mean here's another whenever any you know that bias the heart's content. What are we doing here so we are loading the yes sex -- four point oh. Installer. Which is its gonna be a little bit more intensive than the three point five version that we installed on the little shot right here. Remember four point 064. Bit. Three point five which -- it's still downloading it keys for. 32 -- yet. In the we're going to be that's right we don't have to act one. Aliens ITT's of that if you do have some air going to support instructions work that's fun. So let's say look this dotted lines if yes art so basically we. Didn't have our data store drives installed right and configure them on the raid controller yet we put them -- so now yeah. So the only thing that's actually storage controller right now is this little. Inky blue light and this is what's actually -- and yet the blinking blue light is a four gig hard drive. And and we're actually installing he has excited this because ES -- Has needed USB. Device. Stores controller -- because that's when you buy one from Dell idea -- HP in -- that ties their ages stick one. On the board and."

" That's exciting -- showing me a a little a little widget that actually goes on the motherboard yet to turn one of those connectors for internal USB. Into an internal -- visiting the poplar drive and that's that's hot. That's good to know that were excellent place to -- only -- it could be going right exactly. What's the -- do do."

" All right so now. We're not gonna go through the raid configuration per say just because it is different from car -- yet but it's important -- That with this particular white box there are going to be some compromises -- whatnot and -- and our pixel -- frankly I mean you know we're also seeing a couple grand here so the point being. This beautiful little freeware card here that raid controller it's open up the raid five 41 terabyte drives in there is is super sexy and sweet and is supported by. Yes text -- directly from freeware that the difference though is it is not built into the it's built into VMware so it's akin to saying. You know all I got that cool graphics. You -- like it's like installing windows and it. Doesn't recognize your network currently again -- because you decided to get a -- Card instead of Intel in LA out that the good ones only got to do to get this -- a case so this is nice because freeware has a equal knowledge base without step by step so basically always have to use coming here to our and I think actually have to be logged -- to. These here first on the go ahead and do that down here can. And hesitancy and pull up. Is this. He's your client. Login. Art so when loaded up here to these your client and what's cool though is. To install these drivers will we actually view disease here feel I I action. This has been effort I'm excited here and that so what does that we need new -- bumpers. Right and you can probably speak to that better than I could but basically we need to bring the server special -- that we can so that we can mess with it. So we just go into work like here under inventory. And it's an administrative right click -- post now right click here. While law. And yes we know and it's. -- it's in in means it's killing his illness thing pretty worked on. Love and patents and goodness -- and author fingers to yet lord loved us tonight. And we will -- and if not we will have it in Wellington and that's so. Here we are. This is the command line interface basically it's just -- Perl scripts we are on into the bin folder here and we're going to execute the I host -- Perl script here. That's that's -- server are. Root user are marvelous password here and and basically this offline attack bundle does that -- battery. Ease the in the -- that we download from freeware that's our drivers for -- tax side. And it's gonna go ahead with -- signature to what you would on non Q well drivers. And then can presenters who happens and his can see here in the background. We get done as you can see that we've got installed. In progress -- That's time workmanship. So am installed all get a huge kick the server so let's go ahead and an economy that's in here now. Exit maintenance. Or yeah. Right click. They could. Reduced. Yes."

" I mean -- you yeah."

" Reason. -- taught -- goodness here. You know we nearly shut and windows got to play it was you base your you and terror he has a appear here like -- windows and it's like. This server 2003 have like why did I shut down -- like because you're stiff if it thinks that we could see our load. The one. So the good news is after the reboot we actually have the card recognized by ES exide flawlessly. Booted off RUS be and could see our hard drives. Now if we actually go over to the storage adapter list right so we're back here in the these your client and we can take a look here that's. -- How are rated at 96 the T and TSE SATA two raid. And there we go so we can go ahead start creating volumes as you've shown before. And and -- breezed through. I mean didn't even really touch too much obvious anti inflation but you can record prior to. The fact that. But it's exciting to get the new hardware and I think it's a testament to you. You know how are you can take this when you actually do a little research on what white box hardware is compatible and for that we you know cats you. All the white box dot com as well as -- help dot com great places also if you're that means shop on new egg -- stuff just. That feedback stuff. Check at the comments and search within the comment of the effect might and a few hours -- I mean the -- great place to go and just you know VMware community forums like you said."

" Pretty much there's there's a bunch of different places you go. But. Probably somebody's done before then so you just gotta figure out. Who and how they did it -- at work -- percent. But I mean yet we have. If fully functional Quad Core running on an Intel I 7920. With twelve gigs of ram and a bad at --"

" I love it and look we're only -- 43 megahertz being used so we've got a bigger -- to go ahead and write all this on. Accounting servers another excellent. A active directory. Yes. So anyway and that we're gonna put this to use I'm stoked you on I mean like it even mind like port heart -- Like via the I would probably a little more. We do you want to remind you got that we. Guys that you -- it -- if just one of -- That we love your feedback if there's an experimental pages like this one. And go ahead -- feedback -- comments it reforms that work week in losses. Would you guys. Would have -- server here I mean we -- green. Game gaming rigs all day long when you're you're you man. Or you're and certainly not so let us know and we be in the contest thing. And it. I think that's pretty much it's or feedback. You know definitely support the show like -- seen -- to continue you know. A lot. Well. We love your support with this -- Here."

" That article we don't yet know to stick around at the end which after the credits you -- know what pilots eat these. You fight. It's all about said. It's. My media. -- Congratulations there. Together -- about it graphics card. -- prevention you know who refused -- mark remark. I got scores man. She must server running -- three. --"

" But you don't them."

" You did it has to -- Let's -- that. You'll burn. Somewhat. -- earth. I mean this had to the world love that. You could suffocate in here. And fade to black."

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mari1ee

Started discussion: June 24, 2009 @ 9:47am GMT

Episode 519: Building the Ultimate White Box Server for under $2000 [Discussion]

Building the ultimate white box ESXi server for under $2000! Can it be done? Darren and Matt grab the company credit card and answer that question.

Watch or download this episode now!

curtbarnes
5 months ago

Here is my soon to be setup

Here is a lineup of the parts I ordered yesterday:
Dual AMD64 Server that I bought off geeks.com for ~$100 YES, I said $100 (http://www.geeks.com/details.asp?invtid=VERARI-SERVER-4B&cat=SYS)

4 Port PCI-X Esata controller $99, from NewEgg.

NORCO DS-1500 15-bay 4U Hot-swap Rackmount eSATA RAID Hard Drive Storage Subsystem. (this was the expensive bit) $749.99 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16816133023

5 Seagate Barracuda 7200.12 1tb Drives: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148433 $89.99

3 Esata cables from MonoPrice.com $6

All total is a little over $1300 . I plan on upping the RAM in the server (it comes with 4gb)

I know a lot of people will give me grief about using a refurb server, but both myself and one of my web developers each have two in our houses. We have been running them for several months without a problem. I would not have put a refurb server into (light)production if I had not run it in a test environment (aka my house) first.

I definitely like the VM approach. Currently in my office I have about 15 servers all different, some SCSI, some SATA, Some IDE, all varying specs. It makes it very difficult to mange this wide/varying array of machines.

My ultimate goal is to move all of these onto two or three of these "smaller" servers accessing the 15-bay storage drive.
curtbarnes
5 months ago

Physical to VM?

I would love to see a small segment about taking a physical machine and converting it to a VM.
eminemdrdre00
5 months ago
What server is the CS:S LAN party going to be on?
ghelyar
5 months ago
In reply to curtbarnes:
I would love to see a small segment about taking a physical machine and converting it to a VM.


They have done this at least twice already using VMWare Converter.
harddrive41
5 months ago
Here's my list, personally, in a Production environment, I wouldn't go USB drive for ESXi. It offers no protection. Here is my list below...the two ssd's would be RAID 1 ESXi, and the 4 WD 1TB Green Powers for VM Volumes. The Norco Case, (which I personally own and love btw for my WHS box) can accomodate 20 drives and you have a choice if you want to go SAS/SATA.

I also chose to stick with the onboard Intel ICH10R..the overhead for onboard will be minimal in a multi-core cpu environment, even though i'm taking a performance hit..still workable.

I'm surprised you guys didn't go dual nic's at the very least. You may want to team or run separate GB nics for multiple VMs.

tehBoris
5 months ago
That isn't very readable. Upload it without resizing it.
harddrive41
5 months ago
Here ya go. Click on it then click full size...little better. I don't have an account with Imageshack so it seems they are not allowing the full size.


tehBoris
5 months ago
You must be ticking the "resize for forum" (or similare) button, don't tick that and it will work.
michael_kittrell
4 months ago
What esata controller did you use? I have the norco 12 bay enclosure (with 4 esata ports) and we can't get vmware to recognize the controller / disk.
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