Contact the team

From Server rental store
Jump to navigation Jump to search

DISPLAYTITLE

Contact the Team - Server Configuration Documentation

This document details the technical specifications, performance characteristics, recommended use cases, comparisons, and maintenance considerations for the "Contact the Team" server configuration. This configuration is designed as a high-availability, scalable platform for mission-critical applications with a focus on rapid response times and robust data handling. This document is intended for system administrators, IT professionals, and engineers responsible for deploying, maintaining, and supporting this server infrastructure. Please refer to the Server Naming Conventions for naming standards.

1. Hardware Specifications

The "Contact the Team" configuration is a dual-server active-passive cluster utilizing high-end components. The passive server is configured for immediate failover in case of primary server failure. All specifications refer to *per server* unless otherwise noted. Detailed component lists, including vendor part numbers, are available in the Approved Component List.

Parameter Specification
CPU 2 x 3rd Generation Intel Xeon Scalable Processor (Ice Lake-SP) CPU Model Intel Xeon Gold 6338 (32 Cores / 64 Threads per CPU) CPU Base Frequency 2.0 GHz CPU Max Turbo Frequency 3.4 GHz CPU Cache 48 MB Intel Smart Cache per CPU Total CPU Cores 64 Total CPU Threads 128 Chipset Intel C621A Memory 512 GB DDR4 ECC Registered DIMMs Memory Speed 3200 MHz Memory Configuration 16 x 32 GB RDIMMs (configured for optimal channel interleaving) Storage - OS/Boot 2 x 480 GB NVMe PCIe Gen4 SSD (RAID 1) Storage - Application Data 8 x 4 TB SAS 12Gbps 7.2K RPM Enterprise HDD (RAID 6) RAID Controller Broadcom MegaRAID SAS 9300-8i with 8GB NV Cache Network Interface 2 x 100 Gigabit Ethernet (QSFP28) Network Controller Mellanox ConnectX-6 Dx Remote Management Integrated IPMI 2.0 with dedicated network port Power Supply 2 x 1600W Redundant 80+ Platinum Power Supplies Chassis 2U Rackmount Server Form Factor Standard Rackmount Operating System Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8.x (See Supported Operating Systems for complete list) Virtualization Platform Kernel-based Virtual Machine (KVM) - See Virtualization Strategy

Detailed information regarding component compatibility can be found in the Hardware Compatibility Matrix. The RAID configuration provides data redundancy and protection against drive failures. The server utilizes a robust IPMI interface for out-of-band management. Refer to the IPMI Configuration Guide for specific instructions.

2. Performance Characteristics

The "Contact the Team" configuration is designed for high throughput and low latency. Performance has been validated through a series of benchmarks. These results are regularly updated and available in the Performance Monitoring Dashboard.

  • **CPU Performance:** SPEC CPU 2017 scores demonstrate excellent performance in both integer and floating-point workloads.
   * SPECint® Rate2017: 285.2
   * SPECfp® Rate2017: 198.5
  • **Storage Performance:** IOmeter testing shows the RAID 6 array achieving sustained read/write speeds of approximately 1.8 GB/s. NVMe SSDs provide extremely low latency for OS and application boot times. See Storage Performance Testing Procedures for details.
  • **Network Performance:** 100GbE connectivity provides ample bandwidth for demanding network applications. Throughput tests consistently achieve 90+ Gbps with minimal packet loss. Network performance is monitored using Network Monitoring Tools.
  • **Virtualization Performance:** KVM-based virtual machines demonstrate near-native performance. Up to 64 virtual machines can be supported without significant performance degradation, depending on the resource allocation per VM. See VM Density Testing for detailed VM sizing guidelines.
  • **Real-World Application Performance:**
   * **Database Server (PostgreSQL):**  Capable of handling > 50,000 transactions per second with a 99.99% uptime.
   * **Web Server (Apache):**  Handles > 10,000 concurrent requests with an average response time of < 200ms.
   * **Application Server (Java):**  Supports a large number of concurrent users with minimal latency.

These numbers are representative and may vary depending on specific workload characteristics and configuration parameters. Performance testing is conducted regularly to ensure optimal server performance. Review the Performance Baseline Reports for the latest data.

3. Recommended Use Cases

The "Contact the Team" configuration is ideally suited for the following applications:

  • **High-Availability Database Servers:** The redundant hardware and RAID configuration provide excellent data protection and uptime. This aligns with the High Availability Architecture.
  • **Virtualization Host:** The large memory capacity and powerful processors make this configuration an excellent host for virtual machines.
  • **Business-Critical Applications:** Applications requiring high throughput, low latency, and high availability.
  • **Large-Scale Web Applications:** Capable of handling a large number of concurrent users and requests.
  • **Data Analytics and Processing:** The powerful processors and large memory capacity make this configuration suitable for data-intensive tasks.
  • **Application Development and Testing:** Provides a robust and reliable platform for developing and testing applications.
  • **Financial Modeling and Simulations:** The processing power and memory capacity are well-suited for complex calculations.
  • **Customer Relationship Management (CRM) Systems:** Supports large datasets and numerous concurrent users.

This configuration is *not* recommended for tasks requiring extremely high single-core performance, as the focus is on overall throughput and scalability. For those use cases, consider the High-Performance Single-Core Configuration.

4. Comparison with Similar Configurations

The "Contact the Team" configuration occupies a mid-to-high tier in our server offerings. Here's a comparison with similar options:

Configuration CPU RAM Storage Network Approximate Cost Recommended Use Cases
**Contact the Team** 2 x Intel Xeon Gold 6338 512 GB DDR4 2 x 480 GB NVMe + 8 x 4 TB SAS 2 x 100GbE $25,000 - $35,000 High-availability databases, virtualization, business-critical applications
**Entry Level Server** 2 x Intel Xeon Silver 4310 128 GB DDR4 2 x 480 GB NVMe 2 x 1GbE $8,000 - $12,000 Small business applications, web hosting, development servers
**High-Performance Server** 2 x Intel Xeon Platinum 8380 1 TB DDR4 4 x 960 GB NVMe + 8 x 8 TB SAS 2 x 100GbE + 2 x 25GbE $45,000 - $60,000 Large-scale databases, high-performance computing, AI/ML workloads
**Cloud Optimized Server** 2 x AMD EPYC 7543 512 GB DDR4 4 x 1.92 TB NVMe 2 x 25GbE $20,000 - $30,000 Cloud environments, containerization, microservices

The "Contact the Team" configuration provides a balance between performance, scalability, and cost. It offers significantly more processing power and memory than the Entry Level Server, while being more cost-effective than the High-Performance Server. The Cloud Optimized Server offers an alternative architecture with AMD processors focusing on memory bandwidth, better suited for specific cloud workloads as detailed in the Server Configuration Selection Guide.

5. Maintenance Considerations

Proper maintenance is crucial for ensuring the long-term reliability and performance of the "Contact the Team" configuration.

  • **Cooling:** The server generates a significant amount of heat. Ensure adequate airflow in the server room. The recommended ambient temperature is between 20°C and 25°C. Review the Data Center Cooling Requirements document.
  • **Power Requirements:** Each server requires a dedicated 208V/30A power circuit. Redundant power supplies are included for high availability. Ensure the power distribution units (PDUs) have sufficient capacity. See the Power Distribution Guide.
  • **RAID Maintenance:** Regularly monitor the health of the RAID array. Replace failing drives promptly. Consider implementing a hot spare drive for automatic failover. Refer to the RAID Management Procedures.
  • **Firmware Updates:** Keep the server firmware (BIOS, RAID controller, network adapter, etc.) up to date. Updates often include performance improvements and security fixes. Follow the Firmware Update Policy.
  • **Operating System Updates:** Apply the latest security patches and updates to the operating system. Automated patching is recommended. See Operating System Patching Procedures.
  • **Hardware Monitoring:** Implement a robust hardware monitoring system to track server health, temperature, and performance metrics. Utilize tools like Server Monitoring System and set up alerts for critical events.
  • **Physical Security:** Ensure the server is located in a secure data center with restricted access. Follow the Data Center Security Protocols.
  • **Regular Backups:** Implement a comprehensive backup and disaster recovery plan. Backups should be performed regularly and stored offsite. See Backup and Recovery Strategy.
  • **Dust Control:** Regularly clean the server to remove dust buildup, which can impede airflow and cause overheating.

Adhering to these maintenance guidelines will help ensure the "Contact the Team" configuration continues to operate reliably and efficiently. For detailed troubleshooting procedures, refer to the Troubleshooting Guide.


Intel-Based Server Configurations

Configuration Specifications Benchmark
Core i7-6700K/7700 Server 64 GB DDR4, NVMe SSD 2 x 512 GB CPU Benchmark: 8046
Core i7-8700 Server 64 GB DDR4, NVMe SSD 2x1 TB CPU Benchmark: 13124
Core i9-9900K Server 128 GB DDR4, NVMe SSD 2 x 1 TB CPU Benchmark: 49969
Core i9-13900 Server (64GB) 64 GB RAM, 2x2 TB NVMe SSD
Core i9-13900 Server (128GB) 128 GB RAM, 2x2 TB NVMe SSD
Core i5-13500 Server (64GB) 64 GB RAM, 2x500 GB NVMe SSD
Core i5-13500 Server (128GB) 128 GB RAM, 2x500 GB NVMe SSD
Core i5-13500 Workstation 64 GB DDR5 RAM, 2 NVMe SSD, NVIDIA RTX 4000

AMD-Based Server Configurations

Configuration Specifications Benchmark
Ryzen 5 3600 Server 64 GB RAM, 2x480 GB NVMe CPU Benchmark: 17849
Ryzen 7 7700 Server 64 GB DDR5 RAM, 2x1 TB NVMe CPU Benchmark: 35224
Ryzen 9 5950X Server 128 GB RAM, 2x4 TB NVMe CPU Benchmark: 46045
Ryzen 9 7950X Server 128 GB DDR5 ECC, 2x2 TB NVMe CPU Benchmark: 63561
EPYC 7502P Server (128GB/1TB) 128 GB RAM, 1 TB NVMe CPU Benchmark: 48021
EPYC 7502P Server (128GB/2TB) 128 GB RAM, 2 TB NVMe CPU Benchmark: 48021
EPYC 7502P Server (128GB/4TB) 128 GB RAM, 2x2 TB NVMe CPU Benchmark: 48021
EPYC 7502P Server (256GB/1TB) 256 GB RAM, 1 TB NVMe CPU Benchmark: 48021
EPYC 7502P Server (256GB/4TB) 256 GB RAM, 2x2 TB NVMe CPU Benchmark: 48021
EPYC 9454P Server 256 GB RAM, 2x2 TB NVMe

Order Your Dedicated Server

Configure and order your ideal server configuration

Need Assistance?

⚠️ *Note: All benchmark scores are approximate and may vary based on configuration. Server availability subject to stock.* ⚠️