We are in the process of working on some new additions to our 2 node Hyper-V Cluster setups based on the new Intel E5-2600 Xeon Processor series.
The one we are focused in on at the moment is the Intel Server System R1208GZ. It is a dual CPU server in a 1U form factor.
This particular 1U Server System gives us two PCI-E full height slots thus allowing us to install two LSI SAS Host Bus Adapters for our redundant storage connections. We are in the process to find out which LSI SAS HBAs have been given the green light for use in this Intel Server System.
Since it is so new the Tested Hardware and Operating System List is a bit shy on third party components at this time.
It is important to note that the bus connection for the second PCI Riser slot is directly connected to CPU 2. Thus it will only function if a second CPU is present!
The same is true for the DIMM slots associated with CPU 2. DIMMs can only be accessed in the slots designated for CPU 2 if there is a CPU present in that socket!
We have four Intel i350 Gigabit Ethernet NICs out of the box with the ability to add in a Quad port 1Gbit I/O Module based on Intel Ethernet Controller i350 if there was a need. 10Gbit Ethernet and other connectivity options are also available.
We would be adding the Intel Remote Management Module 4 LITE plus the dedicated NIC option for the RMM to give us total out-of-band access to the server’s baseboard management controller (BMC) as well as KVM over IP.
A pair of 120GB Intel 320 Series SSDs set up in a RAID 1 array would round out the configuration.
By default we will always be installing two Intel Xeon Processors along with a minimum of 48GB (3x 8GB Kingston Intel Certified ECC) of RAM at 1333MHz for the mid-level Xeons and 1600MHz for the top tier CPUs.
Some further reading on the new server systems (pages with PDF download links):
- Intel Server System R1000GZ/GL Family Technical Product Specifications
- Intel Server System R1000GZ/GL & R2000GZ/GL Family Spares/Accessories List and Configuration Guide
- Every Intel based option available for this product family is in this list. If an Intel part number isn’t in there it isn’t supported!
- Drivers and Product Downloads for the R1000GZ/GL and R2000GZ/GL Family
- Note that there are already firmware updates available for the Server Board.
This new line looks to be a promising 1U form factor addition for our Hyper-V Cluster configuration offerings.
We just need to wait and see what happens with LSI compatibility.
Philip Elder
MPECS Inc.
Microsoft Small Business Specialists
Co-Author: SBS 2008 Blueprint Book
*Our original iMac was stolen (previous blog post). We now have a new MacBook Pro courtesy of Vlad Mazek, owner of OWN.
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