Finally Virtualised Cortex

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  • spellinn
    Automated Home Sr Member
    • Dec 2007
    • 53

    Finally Virtualised Cortex

    I've had a rather power-hungry Dell server running Cortex for the past 4 years consuming a whopping 180W. A recent failure of the cpu heatsink prompted me to build it's replacement: A HP Microserver



    This consumes a far more respectable 30W.

    However I didn't just stop there..given the Microserver has no RS232 port, I migrated to the PCU USB module at the same time, and to Cortex v25. Glad to report all working fine.

    However I didn't stop there (I was on a roll...). I took the opportunity to upgrade my Cortex server from Windows 2003 to the latest and greatest Microsoft 64-bit OS (Windows 2008R2) . Cortex is still happy.

    But I didn't stop there (feeling confident by the success of the previous day)...I upgraded the RAM to 4Gb and installed the free VMWare ESXi 4 hypervisor, and ran the 2008R2 server as a virtual machine.

    Cortex is still happy!

    I'm now able to run other test workstations and servers on this small form-factor, power efficient piece of kit.

    I have screen shots of the installation process and if anyone is interested I can make them into a blog post.

    Cheers


    Neil
    Virtualisation and cloud ramblings
  • chris_j_hunter
    Automated Home Legend
    • Dec 2007
    • 1713

    #2
    that sounds pretty good - for, all-in, I'm guessing, around 500GBP (?)
    Our self-build - going further with HA...

    Comment

    • spellinn
      Automated Home Sr Member
      • Dec 2007
      • 53

      #3
      Originally posted by chris_j_hunter View Post
      that sounds pretty good - for, all-in, I'm guessing, around 500GBP (?)
      The Microservers are only £200+vat and another £50 to upgrade the RAM to 4Gb.

      Plus the cost of your OS license, but you'll need that whatever your configuration. ESXi is free for this kind of hardware spec.

      I can possibly do a couple of pre-built, pre-configured systems if there's sufficient interest (my employer is a HP partner so we get cheap HP kit)

      Cheers

      Neil

      Comment

      • chris_j_hunter
        Automated Home Legend
        • Dec 2007
        • 1713

        #4
        if would it take a video card - IVC200G :



        then, yes please !
        Our self-build - going further with HA...

        Comment

        • spellinn
          Automated Home Sr Member
          • Dec 2007
          • 53

          #5
          Originally posted by chris_j_hunter View Post
          That looks like a standard PCI card, and the Microserver only supports PCI-Express cards, so it doesn't look viable.

          Also, if you want to virtualise on ESXi, then its doubtfull that the VM would see any PCI devices at all - so you're limited to USB. I use a USB audio card, and the PCU USB Idranet connector.

          There is an internal USB connector that could be utilised for a USB flash drive (for example) for even lower power consumption if you remove the shipped 250Gb 3.5" hard drive.

          Regards


          Neil

          Comment

          • chris_j_hunter
            Automated Home Legend
            • Dec 2007
            • 1713

            #6
            that's a shame - thanks, anyway !
            Our self-build - going further with HA...

            Comment

            • JonS
              Automated Home Guru
              • Dec 2007
              • 202

              #7
              Blog post sounds really interesting - yes please.
              I think for voice modem (mines PCI) and video cards my preference will be dedicated rather than virtual but I though win7 etc enabled you to have a virtual server inside Windows. i.e. don't use ESX as the host. So I was thinking along those lines if I go virtual then Cortex would be dedicated and other stuff virtualised. However this is a long way off so tech will have changed by then!
              Thanks
              JonS

              Comment

              • spellinn
                Automated Home Sr Member
                • Dec 2007
                • 53

                #8
                BLog post

                Here's the blog posting as promised:



                Hope others find it useful.

                Cheers


                Neil

                Comment

                • Viv
                  Automated Home Ninja
                  • Dec 2004
                  • 284

                  #9
                  Originally posted by chris_j_hunter View Post
                  if would it take a video card - IVC200G :
                  You can get the equivelant PCIE card for those who do not already own a capture card.

                  Viv

                  Comment

                  • neilhooper
                    Automated Home Guru
                    • Oct 2008
                    • 124

                    #10
                    If anybody is interested, HP are currently offering £100 cashback on this server until the end June. This makes it £150 inc VAT, good value !!!

                    Comment

                    • Geps
                      Automated Home Guru
                      • Nov 2010
                      • 136

                      #11
                      Originally posted by neilhooper View Post
                      If anybody is interested, HP are currently offering £100 cashback on this server until the end June. This makes it £150 inc VAT, good value !!!
                      Are there any details of the cashback? Nothing on the product page....?

                      Comment

                      • neilhooper
                        Automated Home Guru
                        • Oct 2008
                        • 124

                        #12
                        Originally posted by Geps View Post
                        Are there any details of the cashback? Nothing on the product page....?
                        Have a look at this ...

                        Comment

                        • Geps
                          Automated Home Guru
                          • Nov 2010
                          • 136

                          #13
                          Ah ha! Thanks Neil.

                          Comment

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