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Which Server? HP or DELL

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by pkak1978

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Dear All,
I have been asked to recommend a Server for my company. I am to choose either an HP Proliant Server G4 370/570 or A Dell Poweredge 1800/2800.
My Company is situated at a remote and volatile area so getting an IT company to provide Server support is very difficult so we will need a Server that will run very well with minimum Service calls. We can however get a company to do the initial set up for us, but they can't guarantee support since the environment is quite volatile.
This server will provide network service for at least 20 PC all running Windows XP Professional within the same office ( a single open office).
The server should run on Microsoft Server 2003 opsys ( either 2003 or Server 2003 SBS)
Our job is such that we deal with lots of data, so a large Hard drive is a must.
Our main database software that we use runs on SQL Server 2000. We will be sharing and transfering large amounts of data within this network. We will also be running sustained SQL data queries so a fast processor and at least 1GB RAM. We have an above average IT guy around who with some minimal training on administering this server would be able to manage the day to day maintenance.
The main concern here is which Brand plus model to choose since we could consider the similar specs for any brand we choose.
Can any user with some experience in using HP Proliants and Dell Poweredges advice me on the which brand will be ideal for our conditions.

Thanks.
Peter.

7 replies

by cg it

rackmount or box? SCSI or IDE/SATA, Mirrored? [I would recommend it with SBS 2003] Are you going to grow as a company? SBS 2003 though attractive has limitations. One being it can not establish trusts with other domains, allows only 75 connections [thats servers, workstations, managed switches etc.]

Though you've been tasked to choose between the 2 Dell/HP if your buying and not leasing/renting I would recommend neither. you mention that you have an above average IT guy there, if he knows anything and has any exprience at all, it would be how to build, maintain, upgrade, equipment. For about $1,800 USD you can build your own box [not rackmount, though you could everything into a rackmount case]. The benefit of building your own box is, you know your system. Your IT guy would know the server from building it. Sounds nebulous, I know but in building it, the builder knows how its configured hardware wise, knows the hardware cuz he picked it out, how the BIOS is configured as he configured it, how the o/s is configured, RAID is configured, how it runs. Intangible stuff but any tech worth their salt can atest to what knowing their system means vs buying something someone else built and trying to fix it if it ever goes down.

by ozi eagle

Hi,
I can't help ypu with brand selection, but agree with above answer about building, but for different reasons.
I have found that brand name boxes, though OK as they are are a real pain in the backside when anything needs to be done to change hardware. They are almost system specific in their setup.

by nu4ever

I would go with the Dell they have a good reputation for service. I have seen more HP's die more that any other computer.

by pierrejamme

I agree with the previous message. Support, support, Support! In you case spend extra and ge Dell's gold support.
The two Dell's you mentioned 1800/2800 are brand new so no one is going to have any experience with them. We have 3@PE2500, 2@PE2600 and 1@PE2400 in our company. Never a serious problem with any of them. (Of course they are all NetWare however)
If I were buying today I would get the 2800 with minimum of 2GB memory and 3 SCSI 73GB Raid 5.
don't forget a separate controller for your DLT and a 1400or> UPS.

by sgt_shultz

get Dell. call em up and ask for someone to help you pick out a server. you may as well get the gold support i suppose. do not be afraid of new dell stuff.
where you at? i would install it and guarantee support no matter what environment you have...budget in money to send tech person to classes

by a

"Dude, you're gettin a Dell."

(I really miss Stephen, he was funny)

But seriously, I am an avid Dell fan. Customer service is awesome, tech support is great, same day on site service (4 hours or less) for servers and business customers, complete coverage of hardware and software, and if you drop the thing from the top of the rack, they'll give you a new one, and send a tech out to replace it!

I have over 60 dell workstations and 19 servers in my repetior, and I love every one of them.

Pay the extra money, get the better machine. Remember "you get what you pay for". HP is good, I won't slam them. But Dell is better. You may save some money up front with a lesser machine, but it's the support headaches that make ALL the difference.

just my .02 worth of personal experience. Take it if you want it.

A

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