Thread: Where do you guys order server and colo?

Do you always order from the DC and then directly colo there? or purchase from newegg or some where?

Your server is equal to your business, you should keep the server where there is the least disruption to it. Our preference is to use reliable and well-known data centers, we prefer to interact directly with the data center rather than a third company.

but I have checked with some DC, they say they don't sell h/w

Originally Posted by universaltruth

Do you always order from the DC and then directly colo there? or purchase from newegg or some where?

Typically if you are doing colocation, you bring your own equipment into the datacenter. That means you need to purchase and acquire your own equipment.

You can order your equipment from any vendor (Dell, Supermicro, etc.) or via a VAR (value added reseller). For our colocation needs, we tend to buy a majority of our equipment from a Supermicro reseller that is local to us (San Diego, California) and then host all our equipment at datacenters in the Downtown Los Angeles.

Some colocation providers can sell you hardware but its typically not the norm but rather the exception.

What datacentes are you looking to colocate your equipment in?

I am considering ordering a desktop with a 14900KS CPU, 64GB RAM, and 1TB storage, and colocating it in a data center with backbone network access.

Originally Posted by universaltruth

I am considering ordering a desktop with a 14900KS CPU, 64GB RAM, and 1TB storage, and colocating it in a data center with backbone network access.

When you mention desktop, like a desktop case/chassis? Unless the colocation provider explicitly allows it, it is assumed all equipment will be servers that can be mounted on rails within a server rack.

A desktop case will not be rack mountable and will take up considerable more rack units then a server chassis.

If you don't have colocation already and the provider you are talking with doesn't build or supply systems I would suggest looking elsewhere with a provider who might be able to help you more.
Colocation can be a big deal when first getting into it and end up being a huge headache. Go with a provider who does colocation and dedicated servers is the best option and ensure they have decent remote hands who can help you.

Ensure you get a desktop system with a board that has IPMI access as well if you go that route.

Originally Posted by Purevoltage

If you don't have colocation already and the provider you are talking with doesn't build or supply systems I would suggest looking elsewhere with a provider who might be able to help you more.
Colocation can be a big deal when first getting into it and end up being a huge headache. Go with a provider who does colocation and dedicated servers is the best option and ensure they have decent remote hands who can help you.

Ensure you get a desktop system with a board that has IPMI access as well if you go that route.

Thank you, yes, I think we have to search for more options.

Most if not all colo will let you order online from ebay (used enterprise gear, very good prices!) or where ever and deliver there, then you can either go and set it up yourself or pay hands on and they'll set it up for you

I ordered a bunch of HW from multiple places and had it delivered and they then set it up as I requested

I order servers from:

https://www.xbyte.com/products?class...cqc7L2y1hXqclr

This should be decided based on your needs. If you need to go live quickly or the project is short-term, ordering servers and hosting directly from a data center (DC) is the most convenient option, saving you a lot of hassle.

You must consider asking your colo provider if they allow for desktop case because they use 3+ times regular rack mount server space.
If that computer its gonna be used for production its better to go for a real server form factor.
You can buy cheap used hw from ebay or brand new if you like it.

Servers, it depends on if used is cheaper, if HPE is cheaper or DIY is cheaper. Dell nowadays is more expensive than HPE but now Dell is the superior product, whereas in the 2000s HP was the high-end.

For colocation, I use Microtronix. They don't have the greatest network but are excellent for the price and have great support. In the past I had DediPath from a now-sold VPS host and DediPath (before they folded) had slow support.

You might want to try a distributor such as Ombligo. They have tens of thousands of sq feet of warehoused servers and network equipment.

Originally Posted by universaltruth

I am considering ordering a desktop with a 14900KS CPU, 64GB RAM, and 1TB storage, and colocating it in a data center with backbone network access.

You don't need to buy the mentioned equipment as lot of providers offer this config or better now. May be work with them directly and secure a good monthly deal?

There are some great deals on servers on many sites (eBay being one of them). We've picked up some great bargains where businesses are removing "end of support" servers that are immaculate. Sure, they're not the the latest models and therefore may not be the most powerful (nor efficient) but there's plenty of life left in them.

There will be a number of refurb businesses that also offer used servers that have removed equipment similar to described above and even offer warranty on them.

I would have thought that most datacentres would entertain sourcing the server spec you need, but I could be wrong there.

As per the other replies, some datacentres may not wish to entertain a desktop type case, or if they do, you'd need to pay additional rack space on them to cover the additional U of rack used.

We buy lots of hardware from eBay, TechMikeNY, and Xbyte. All depends on requirements.

Originally Posted by universaltruth

Do you always order from the DC and then directly colo there? or purchase from newegg or some where?

I have purchased a lot of hardware from eBay and ETB, as well as new servers from Supermicro distributors. At ETB and Supermicro, you can fully customize your server to your liking, and a 19-inch server is much easier to colocate than a desktop case.