BladeServers

Doodlepad thoughts on bladeservers. Again, emphasis is on low to midrange performers for smaller shops.

Pricing is accurate via web on 2007/10/27

HP

c3000 shown with 3 servers, 2 storage arrays (using laptop-sized 2.5" disks), 1 tape drive, 1 empty slot. The status display is folded away.

The new HP 'Shorty' c3000 is, well, pretty damn awesome. 6u (10.5 inches) tall, it can run on 120v power and is described as 'self cooling', by which they mean they designed it to run in a closet with no HVAC. In keeping with the Storage Systems page, I'll config it for 8 servers. Approx $29,655 with each server carrying a single 1.6gHz quadcore Xeon, 4GB of RAM, and dual TOE/HBA cards and no storage in each server. You could potentially cut 25% off this price by trading in (or threatening to trade in) your existing servers. That would bring the price down to $22,241.25 c3000 enclosure: $5000 8x BL460c 1.60GHz quadcore blades @ $2409 each = $19,272. With 4GB RAM & iSCSI pack (below) @ $2,957 each, $23,656 for all eight. only a single processor is included; second proc = $449 397413-B21 upgrade to 4 gb RAM: $649 each Proliant Essentials iSCSI pack: $99 each Lets embedded nic function as iSCSI TOE/HBA 406740-B21 16 port Ethernet Pass-Through Module: $999 No OS.

Dell

Dell's enclosure holds 10 blades. Apparently the 1955 blade with various processor and memory options is the only bladetype it supports.

I tried pricing Dell bladeserver setup, but confusingly their website shows pictures of the enclosure while not actually selling it! You click on a picture of a fully loaded enclosure - and are taken to the config+buy page for a single blade. No option for the enclosure or non-blade modules (SAN modules, network, etc). So, I'll get back to Dell when they have more info online. Because 'call our salesforce for the part that actually makes it go' just isn't the way to work. The 1955 blade with single 1.6Ghz quadcore Xeon: $1638 4GB RAM 2x Gbe nics. Not sure about ToE/iSCSI As mentioned above, no idea about chassis and nonblade modules.

IBM

The disks are 1"high 3.5" drives; the array cages are part of the chassis (cannot be swapped for server blades). Looks like a media tray, 3-5 server blades and possibly an I/O expansion blade.

Designed for the same 'office closet' environment as the HP c3000, the Bladecenter S chassis is 7u (12.25 inches) tall and holds 6 server blades, because it reserves quite a bit of physical space for SAS/SATA 3.5" disks. Filled with 6 blades (but no disks), it costs $15,134. It is a fair bit less configurable, but at half the price for about 3/4 the processing power, is also a better deal price-wise. It has an 'office kit' which lowers the noise output appreciably and filters incoming air (two birds! one stone!). BladeCenter S chassis 88861MU: $2599 6x HS21 8853EQU, 1.6 GHz quadcore Xeon blade @ $2256 ea: $13,536 Has two nics which will (at future date) do TOE/HBA duty with a software upgrade. 4GB RAM standard on this blade model Server Connectivity Module: $999 This might be avoidable. I was unable to get good docs. No OS A Bladecenter E chassis 8677HC1 with 4 power modules and 1 copper passthru will run $4475, and carry 14 blades. Needs 4x 220v outlets though.