SFF Rackmount Server Manufacturers

Andy100 · 17 Jun 2010 at 02:48

Hey Guys,

I've recently been looking at some Citrix Branch Repeaters with Server 2008 for a number of my branch offices.

We have now made the descision to increase the bandwidth on our wan links rather than purchase the repeaters but the size of the appliance really appeals to me as something we could replace our current branch tower servers with as they are designed to fit in a wall mounted comms cabinet. (Which is all we have at most sites)

I've had a look on the HP and Dell websites but they don't seem to have anything in this space.

Does anyone know of a mainstream supplier who builds this form factor?

memyselfandi · 17 Jun 2010 at 08:35

For a quick Google on the product it looks like a fairly standard 1U form factor and both HP and Dell sell servers that size (e.g. Poweredge R410 for instance) ...?

Andy100 · 17 Jun 2010 at 08:45

Hey thanks,

It's a 1U form factor in both height and width but is probably only 30-40cm deep. It doesn't require any rails so mounts more like a network switch.

With the branches only needing file, print and AD authentication for 5-15 people a headless box that fits in a small comms cabinet would be ideal.

bigredshark · 17 Jun 2010 at 09:00

No mainstream suppliers, you can buy the cases and motherboards plenty of places but they aren't server grade by any stretch. Some of the generic cheap server manfacturers will make them I'm sure but I wouldn't touch them myself.

For small machines you could look at Dell's new R210 which is surprisingly shallow in a rack and various products from Rackable....

#Chri5# · 17 Jun 2010 at 11:35

SuperMicro have the SC111 chassis which is ~42cm deep and takes 4 2.5" SFF SATA or SAS drives.

http://www.supermicro.com/products/chassis/1U/?chs=111

Broadberry have a packaged build using it.

Yamahahahahaha · 17 Jun 2010 at 12:03

The Dell Poweredge R210 is only about 40cm deep.
It takes up to 2 hard drives, but only has one expansion slot at the rear.

All of the 4+ drive 1U servers are 60cm+ deep.

Andy100 · 17 Jun 2010 at 12:40

Ooo thanks guys I'll check them out.

PhillyDee · 17 Jun 2010 at 12:43

I emailed you as I couldn;t post it here . . ..

Curiosityx · 17 Jun 2010 at 23:59

Another vote for SuperMicro especially in the SFF space.

Camoe · 6 Jul 2010 at 03:16

not taking the **** but there are some rackible systems servers on a wll known action site for cheepo

Nicely upgradible.

a1ex2001 · 6 Jul 2010 at 09:33

I've previusly worked with a company who are not exactly mainstream but they are not a tiny hobbiest company either, I've used them before for some specialist server configs and never been disapointed they have always been flexible where dell and the likes were not. they for example put a slim line CDRW in a 1U server for me several years before dell would do the same!

They offer a range of short servers, but I can't link as they are a compeitor. If you google 'rackservers uk' you should stumble accross them.