Build for very small offices

[Ramon]

Most of the offices I support have 10 or fewer workstations. Most of them would run only the free Untangle package, and most of them won't need Spam filtering since they use web based email.

I need a small, inexpensive machine. What do you think of these components? Do I need to add a fan?

I'm not allowed to post links yet, but I included the Newegg part numbers. Sorry for the inconvenience.

Barebones system:
OEM Production 2700L2D-MxPC - N82E16856205006

RAM:
CORSAIR 2GB 204-Pin DDR3 SO-DIMM DDR3 1066 (PC3 8500) - N82E16820145228

Hard Drive:
OCZ Agility 390GB SATA III MLC SSD - N82E16820227757


I appreciate your feedback.

[johnsonx42]

I would have used that box had it been available when I started deploying Untangle. I don't know if anyone has used that exact box so far, but it ought to work great for upwards of 50 users (you're at least meeting the specs of Untangle's U50 appliance). You're wasting a lot of money on that 90GB SSD though... a 32GB or 40GB is more than plenty.

Yes, you probably should add a fan. All the reports I've seen on here say the D2700/NM10 gets VERY hot with no fan.

[dashpuppy]

Most of the offices I support have 10 or fewer workstations. Most of them would run only the free Untangle package, and most of them won't need Spam filtering since they use web based email.

I need a small, inexpensive machine. What do you think of these components? Do I need to add a fan?

I'm not allowed to post links yet, but I included the Newegg part numbers. Sorry for the inconvenience.

Barebones system:
OEM Production 2700L2D-MxPC - N82E16856205006

RAM:
CORSAIR 2GB 204-Pin DDR3 SO-DIMM DDR3 1066 (PC3 8500) - N82E16820145228

Hard Drive:
OCZ Agility 390GB SATA III MLC SSD - N82E16820227757


I appreciate your feedback.

up the ram to 4 gigs, down grade the ssd drive to a 32-64.

and having a fan in the case just keeps things cooler, sure the processor will run to operating temp & or more less. BUT keeping it cool makes it last longer and doesn't push the thresh hold of the unit.


Might also want to read the reviews for NO support for the network cards..

[johnsonx42]

The above having been said, I still swear by SuperMicro for any server application, and Untangle is most assuredly a server. My UT boxes are all SuperMicro X7-SPA or X7-SPE mainboards in the recommended SC-502L 1U rackmount chassis. That combo will cost $100 more though, and they don't yet have any based on the new D2xxx series Atoms (not that the newer Atoms are needed).

(final comment: I really can't see any justification for dashpuppy's recommendation for 4GB RAM, other than "well, RAM is cheap". Untangle doesn't go to 4GB of RAM until their 150-user appliance)

[dashpuppy]

The above having been said, I still swear by SuperMicro for any server application, and Untangle is most assuredly a server. My UT boxes are all SuperMicro X7-SPA or X7-SPE mainboards in the recommended SC-502L 1U rackmount chassis. That combo will cost $100 more though, and they don't yet have any based on the new D2xxx series Atoms (not that the newer Atoms are needed).

(final comment: I really can't see any justification for dashpuppy's recommendation for 4GB RAM, other than "well, RAM is cheap". Untangle doesn't go to 4GB of RAM until their 150-user appliance)

ram is cheap why not do it now..

Looks like the board that is in the OP's link has really unsupported nic's for unix / linux etc etc.

[keith_h]

ram is cheap why not do it now..

Looks like the board that is in the OP's link has really unsupported nic's for unix / linux etc etc.

In my system for a similar number of users no more than 1G RAM is ever used even though 2 is fitted. Where can you get such a small SSD?

[johnsonx42]

In my system for a similar number of users no more than 1G RAM is ever used even though 2 is fitted.

My point exactly. 2GB is already twice what is needed. My own untangle runs fine with only 512MB, though I run only few apps in the rack.

Where can you get such a small SSD?

There are plenty of 30gb, 32gb and 40gb SSD's at newegg or any other vendor. Most cost $50 to $65.

[sky-knight]

I wouldn't put any less than 1g in a production machine, but I agree that you don't need 2 in this case.

[Ramon]

I appreciate the feedback.

How worried should I be about the NICs? According to another thread from a couple of weeks ago, some used this exact system and said it worked great. I see that Linux support for the NICs isn't good overall, but if Untangle supports them, it should be fine, right? Or do I risk a future version of Untangle dropping support?

Thanks.

[TirsoJRP]

But RAM is soooo cheap right now, the difference between 1gb and 2gb is just US$5.

Go with 2gb's