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.

This is nothing but my old, jankity 14" LCD plugged into some servers, with a Linksys WAP11 above it. That AP currently serves up open internet for FreeWAN.

I know the water heater isn't the best place for the modem, but it's where the cables reach. Someday, I'll get it mounted on the plywood to the right, below the splitter.