MEF Proposals/F2007

Fall 2007

New server for mirroring

The CSClub is running a mirror for Debian and Ubuntu GNU/Linux distributions. We would also like to archive the raw AVI's of our talks (~ 20 GB each). The machine that is mirroring our talks (natural-flavours) is underpowered and we would like to upgrade it.

We would like to purchase the following:

• Two or three 750 GB SATA disks [also using existing SATA and IDE disk] ($240 each)
• 2 GB of RAM [also using existing 2 GB of RAM] ($90)
• Gigabyte GA-P35-DS3L Motherboard ($120)
• Intel E6550 ($210)
• Areca ARC-1210 ($400)
• Corsair VX550W 550W Power supply ($95)

We would run the set of disks in RAID 5, which would provide 1.5 TB or 2.25 TB of disk space. RAID 5 provides reliability in the case of single disk failure.

We would use the old parts to upgrade one of our office terminals.

Total: $1395 - $1635

Disks for taurine

The CSClub received funding for taurine from MEF, with one of its purposes being to run virtual machines. We currently have two 72 GB disks in RAID 0 (striped) mode, which means the disks are joined to form one logical 144 GB disk providing no redundancy. We would like to request funding for two 146 GB disks (model number 431958-B21). We would then run the two sets of disks in RAID 1, which provides redundancy in the event of single disk failure. The HP public sector pricing for a single disk is $512. However, local vendor pricing is typically a few percentage points lower. The cheapest online retailer is $468 per disk. In total, both disks would be at most $936. The disks are more expensive than commodity desktop disks, as they are low-profile (2.5 inch) and SAS (Serial-Attached-SCSI); these are the only type of disks that will work in this machine.

Total: $936

KVM-over-IP system

The CSClub has a number of servers in the MC 3015 machine room. MathSoc and other clubs also have a few systems in MC 3015 as well. If system in the machine room goes down after-hours (e.g. the evening or weekends) we are unable to physically access these systems to perform maintenance. Having a KVM-over-IP system would let us diagnose and reboot systems. It would also reduce the number of times we need to bother the operator in MC 3015.