Re: [gentoo-user] {OT} Need a new server

[Grant]

>> It's time to switch hosts.  I'm looking at the following:
>>
>> Dual Xeon E5-2690
>> 32GB RAM
>> 4x SSD RAID10
>>
>> This would be my first experience with multiple CPUs and RAID.  Advice
>> on any of the following would be greatly appreciated.
>>
>> Is the Gentoo Software RAID + LVM guide the best place for RAID
>> install info if I'm not using LVM and I'll have a hardware RAID
>> controller?
>
> Exactly what RAID controller are you getting?
>
> My personal rule of thumb: on-board RAID controllers are not worth the
> silicon they are written on. Decent hardware raid controllers do exist,
> but they plug into big meaty slots and cost a fortune. By "a fortune" I
> mean a number that will make you gulp then head off to the nearest pub
> and make the barkeep's day. (Expensive, very expensive).
>
> Sans such decent hardware, best bet is always to do it using Linux
> software RAID, and the Gentoo guide is a fine start.

I'm told it will likely be an "Adaptec 7000 series controller".

>> Since RAM is so nice for buffers/cache, how do I know when to stop
>> adding it to my server?
>
> When more RAM stops making a difference.
>
> The proper answer to your question is "mu", meaning it can't really be
> satisfactorily answered with the info available. Only you can really
> answer answer it, and only after you have examined your system in
> detail. But, assuming you will use this hardware for mostly routine
> normal tasks, 32G RAM is heaps and should be plenty for a long time to come.
>
> Nothing you've ever posted leads me to believe you need crazy amounts of
> RAM. It's not like your business model is to eg load every public blog
> at wordpress.com with all comments and store it all in an in-memory
> database :-)

In that case maybe I'll go with 16GB instead.  It's easy to add more
later I suppose.

>> Any opinions on Soft Layer?
>
> Never heard of it.
> What is it?

It's a host in the US.  I should have said so.

http://www.softlayer.com

- Grant