Do-it-Yourself Datacenter
From Fozzee.net
Current Configuration
Lots of stuff has changed in 3 years, and the datacenter is not the least of these; With our switch to DISH Networks, my coax plant has changed a bit, and virtualization has reduced the total amount of equipment in the closet. Here's an initial snapshot of the closet, since I've spent a bit of time on it recently and people are asking. I still intend to do some further cleanup and make it look a bit more "finished" by painting the walls and adding some trim around the edges of the drywall.
To quickly summarize the gear in the rack, starting at the bottom:
- APC 1500RS UPS
- Ubuntu, the (Ubuntu) VMWare server. 3 1TB drives. Hosts virtual FreeBSD and Win2k3 servers, along with "virtual workstations" as needed.
- Keyboard, mouse and monitor to head the server. X isnt installed, so the mouse is sort of pointless.
- Dell 24 port 10/100/1000 switch. This thing runs like a top, but is a bit overkill, now, with virtualization. Wish I had more home-run wiring... Maybe next house.
- 3 interface Firewall (Monowall based)
- Wireless accesspoint... You cant see the other one, as it's down behind the rack, pending wall-mounting.
- Patch panel with like 3 ports patched... It was cheap.
More to come, once I've had a chance to do some more work. One other note, the one server doesnt generate hardly any heat, by comparison, so it doesnt function so well as a garage heater, anymore.
Original Configuration
Since we've moved to our new place, I claimed the space under the stairs for my datacenter. I laid adhesive-backed vinyl tile on the cement floor, and added a power vent. The waste heat helps keep the garage warm in the winter.
From bottom to top, the rack contains:- Hague: FreeBSD Web server (2xP3@1ghz, 2gb RAM, RAID5)
- Hanoi: Win2k Mediacenter PC (AthlonXP 2000+, no TV Tuner yet)
- Beijing: Win2k File Server, AD Controller (AthlonXP 2400+, 768mb RAM, 480gb RAID5 + 320gb Scratch)
- Dell PowerConnect 3024: 24 port 10/100 managed switch, + 2 GBIC/GigE ports. Fully managed. Currently just for play, as it's a bit flaky.
- Belkin Omniview Matrix 2x8: 8 port, dual console KVM (ps2). I scored this on ebay for like $300. It's not much use now that I dont have workstations in the rack.
- Dell whatever Gigabit Switch: Slightly less managable, but brand new all gigabit switch.
- Monowall WRAP Router: My custom firewall/VPN Endpoint. Read about it.

