Colo Questions

jtardis · 4th August 2008

I'm wondering if anyone knew of colo providers that would take delivery of a new Dell server rack it up and configure the DRAC so I could access and install remotely.

Also if I had need would upgrading the service to 1/4 or 1/2 rack space be an issue after originally just having a 2U colo?

Cheers,

J.

JamesC · 4th August 2008

Hi,

Usually most colo providers are flexible in stuff like this. All should rack servers and give you drac (although, make sure that the provider doesn't object to the fact you'd be using two switch ports and need an extra IP for DRAC). They may charge a surcharge for the DRAC configuration. A lot of colo companies will give you KVM over IP access for initial access so that you have "as if you were there" access to the machine. I know a lot of the more budget colo companies possibly wouldn't let you have the second switchport for DRAC.

As for upgrading, in most cases this wouldn't be an issue - however your servers would need to be migrated to the new space which means the server would need to be powered down and then moved (and to do the move properly it could take 20 minutes).

I'm 99% sure rapidswitch don't allow more than one network connection per server if that's someone you're looking at. Poundhost may be able to acommodate you with your requirements [EDIT]Ed clarified that they do

[/EDIT]

Hope this helps

jtardis · 4th August 2008

Yes it does!

Thanks for the quick response, I think I'll email Poundhost now.

The only reason I specified DRAC was for the ability to mount an ISO from the client machine to the server for remote installs, I wasn't sure if other KVM over IP could do this.

J.

JamieBeeston · 4th August 2008

You might find that upgrading, whilst not an issue, may well require your server to be reracked to accommodate your space request (as invariably the space surrounding your server will have been used by other sales)

Have you considered Renting a Server instead of buying & coloing.. the costs and headache removal (providers responsibility to replace failed hardware / keep the box up at 4am on xMas Day etc)

If you have any queries, we're all (mostly) a friendly bunch

DaVinciRisk · 4th August 2008

J,
"standard" KVM over IP are not able to do it. They just get attached to the monitor, keyboard and mouse port, so you won't be able to "feed" an ISO via KVM over IP.

Rapidswitch can be a bit "difficult" to work with in the pre-sales process. I have to say though that the engineering support is simply superb. Too bad that they lot this customer for the way they communicate sales and quotes.

Poundhost is my current provider, have been with them a year by now. I can only say that they have been just brilliant and delivered as expected. Pre-sales was to my liking and support was top notch.

So, in the end, I understand that you need a DRAC to do installation, but I am wondering if you couldn't do that in a different way, like sending a CD to the DC and then with a KVM over IP do the installation. Some providers would be ok in putting a CD in the drive, maybe rapidswitch too: ask them.

edb49 · 4th August 2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by JamesC

I'm 99% sure rapidswitch don't allow more than one network connection per server if that's someone you're looking at.

Just to clarify this, we do allow multiple connections per server. What you may be confused with is that we don't allow multiple connections to a server's OS connected ethernet connections on a shared subnet - due to potential for causing loops. Lots of our clients have secondary/tertiary connections for DRAC/iLO, NAS, etc.

If it's a private subnet, you can do whatever you like and create all the broadcast storms you like - they only affect your servers. In my opinion, any company that doesn't have the same or a stronger policy than this is asking for trouble and will have a network storm at some point taking clients offline.

jtardis · 4th August 2008

Jamie - Thanks for suggestion but I'm looking to go for lots of RAM and H/D space as I will be running a couple of VPS on the thing so dedicated would likely be too pricey for me.

DaVinciRisk - I actually hadn't thought about sending a CD to the DC! I don't know why as it makes perfect sense and might be the simplest way to do it.

JamesC · 4th August 2008

Okay, I stand corrected - my post updated

JamesC · 4th August 2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by jtardis

Jamie - Thanks for suggestion but I'm looking to go for lots of RAM and H/D space as I will be running a couple of VPS on the thing so dedicated would likely be too pricey for me.

DaVinciRisk - I actually hadn't thought about sending a CD to the DC! I don't know why as it makes perfect sense and might be the simplest way to do it.

I would think most colo companies would have all the common OS's to hand so you may not even need to send a CD in the first place if you're not installing something obscure

JamieBeeston · 4th August 2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by jtardis

Jamie - Thanks for suggestion but I'm looking to go for lots of RAM and H/D space as I will be running a couple of VPS on the thing so dedicated would likely be too pricey for me.

You never know until you ask

We have clients renting 32GB Servers with 10SAS HDDs... must be doing something right

Added upside is no cap-ex, low upfront costs, and the ability to jack it all in at the end of the year and upgrade to a higher spec machine again for similar rental cost, or take a discount on the second year for the same kit

jtardis · 4th August 2008

32GB 10*SAS - nice!

I'll put a post in the 'Requests' forum later this week when I've had a good think about what I really need and see what suits better colo or dedicated.

Thanks for everyone's input.

JamieBeeston · 4th August 2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by jtardis

32GB 10*SAS - nice!

I'll put a post in the 'Requests' forum later this week when I've had a good think about what I really need and see what suits better colo or dedicated.

Thanks for everyone's input.

Sure.

It may work out still that Colo suits you more (if you plan to keep the same kit for many many years and have plenty of spares / are local to the DC)

It's always best to have the most options though

J

DaVinciRisk · 4th August 2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by edb49

In my opinion, any company that doesn't have the same or a stronger policy than this is asking for trouble and will have a network storm at some point taking clients offline.

For what is worth, I 100% agree with Ed on the matter.

Quote:

Originally Posted by jtardis

DaVinciRisk - I actually hadn't thought about sending a CD to the DC! I don't know why as it makes perfect sense and might be the simplest way to do it.

I learned something the hard way last year: if you don't ask you won't get it. And worst still you won't know if you can get it in the first place.

So my personal advice is: ask away. The worst you get is a NO. And certainly what some people say is right: you get what you pay for. If you decide to get someone that is more "flexible" in giving you quotes, chances are that they will be asking you more, but for what I have seen here, with whichever you go you will get very good service.

Best of luck for your venture!

freethought · 4th August 2008

We did this for a client recently, they had Dell ship the server straight to us at our office. I whacked an IP on it, set up the DRAC then took it to the DC and installed it. It's often easier for us and for the client so we don't mind.

I have to say that PH were excellent when we had some kit with them. We had a RAID array commit suicide and they downloaded the IBM utility CD and booted the server off it for me. Just hope that they've got rid of those dodgy Netgear switches and household extension leads ;-)

CrystalVPS · 4th August 2008

if I am right in thinking there's a load of poundhost racks near ours I think they are using Extreme switches now