Newegg (and others) now carrying Supermicro SYS-5015

[Linetux]

I just noticed that Newegg was stocking the Supermicro SYS-5015A's. These are the 1U, 10" deep rack-mount chassis with the nice Supermicro motherboard and Intel Atom CPU's.

There's a single-core ($239) and dual-core model ($269), although it seems as though I just bought the last dual-core they had in stock

I'd previously posted about this board becoming available a few months ago. I've been running PiaF on them both since then with no problems (using a Sangoma PCI-E PRI card).

For about $400, you can have the dual-core model with 2GB of RAM and dual 2.5" HDD's (although you'll need the special bracket for the dual HDD's - I had to get mine from Provantage, but it was only $6).

The dual-core version should be able to handle up to 50 concurrent calls based on my call patterns, maybe even more - which is probably more than most people do with a PiaF system! You're also dealing with a server-grade company (although I wouldn't say this board is server-grade class, it's certainly head-and-shoulders above the other Atom-based boards out there).

Just thought you'd want to know....

 

[Braxus]

This system is indeed pretty swanky for what it is. It's the only Atom 330 1U on the market that has PCIe as far as I know. Great if you're buying those expensive analog or PRI cards as PCI is already starting to live out its last days like ISA did.

A plus is that it's also fairly quiet when compared to some other custom 1U atom rackservers.

There are some slight board differences between the single core Atom 230 variant and dual core Atom 330 variant. The dual core server comes with two onboard NICs vs one and also has an additional internal USB type-A connector.

Some things to note:

No PCIe Riser
You'll need to purchase a PCIe riser (~$10) if you plan to use a PRI or FXO/FXS PCIe card. While the riser supermicro specs for the system is an PCIe x8 riser, it's compatible with x1 and x4 boards as well.

Space for a PCIe board will be limited especially if you use a 3.5" > 2.5" 2xbay adapter (more on that below).

3.5" > 2.5" Adapter
If you plan to use something like a 2.5" SSD you'll need to get a 3.5" > 2.5" adapter (~$4).

For whatever reason, the 1x2.5" version is harder to come by while the 2x2.5" adapter tends to be more readily available.

PCIe Expansion board size
If you plan to use a PCIe card, do note that there is a limitation on size on what you can put in the slot if you take use of the 3.5"/2.5" mounts.

Height limit w/3.5" drive = ~2"
Height limit w/2.5" drive = ~2.5"
Length limit = ~9.5"

If you get low profile 3.5" drive or the 1x 3.5" > 2.5" drive bay adapter, you may be able to skirt the height issue. Would also suggest some sort of insulator between the drive and board if they're close to touching to reduce the chance of something shorting out.

Can say that most of the Sangoma A100, A200 and B600 cards fit fine here.

No out of the box PiaF NIC support
The NICs aren't supported out of the box but you can download and easily install the drivers that are available from Realtek at:

http://www.realtek.com.tw/downloads...5&Level=5&Conn=4&DownTypeID=3&GetDown=false#2

 

[MrBostn]

Sounds great for some low power PIAF boxes.

I like this stuff below. The Mobo is closer to server grade.

I bet they'd make a great PFsense build too.

A mobo with Intel Nics-No dickin around with realtek.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813182126

A 1U case
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811152087

Cooler

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835114075



An an Allendale E2200
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116063

 

[Linetux]

Forward: don't take these comments as being pissy. I'm just making conversation!

"Low power" PiaF boxes?

These Atom 330's will easily handle a full PRI with room to spare. Although I haven't tested it under higher load, I'd venture to guess you can have 50-75 concurrent channels going without issue.

50-75 concurrent is usually a pretty big office setting!

I'd also argue that nothing short of an EATX size board from a main-player manufacturer (SuperMicro, Tyan, Intel, etc) is "server grade" - I'd say that both the Core2/P4 board and Atom based boards are similar in 'grade', if there is such a thing.

These boards are actually overkill for pfsense/m0n0wall. But they are great for those applications as well (I'm putting one of the 230 units in as a m0n0wall box myself).

Lastly, I don't like that chassis... the fans in those things are loud as hell. You can't even tell the Atom board is running, even with 2x 2.5" HDD's in there

 

[MrBostn]

Forward: don't take these comments as being pissy. I'm just making conversation!

"Low power" PiaF boxes?

These Atom 330's will easily handle a full PRI with room to spare. Although I haven't tested it under higher load, I'd venture to guess you can have 50-75 concurrent channels going without issue.

50-75 concurrent is usually a pretty big office setting!

I'd also argue that nothing short of an EATX size board from a main-player manufacturer (SuperMicro, Tyan, Intel, etc) is "server grade" - I'd say that both the Core2/P4 board and Atom based boards are similar in 'grade', if there is such a thing.

These boards are actually overkill for pfsense/m0n0wall. But they are great for those applications as well (I'm putting one of the 230 units in as a m0n0wall box myself).

Lastly, I don't like that chassis... the fans in those things are loud as hell. You can't even tell the Atom board is running, even with 2x 2.5" HDD's in there

Pissy..

Nah I don't take anyting on forums to heart. I enjoy see what everyone else is doing. It helps me make better decisions on what to buy, what not to buy.

I do like your setup. I just hate the Realtek nics. I'll give you your system for PIAF, but for a PFsense, Intel nics are where it's at.

I'll be setting a 30 seat system this January (I hope they don't kill the budget).

If you have your build up and running I'll hit you up for a review.

Thanks
Scott

 

[Braxus]

One of the folks over at OpenVox did some tests doing some g729/g711 transcoding on a single core atom 230. Believe it showed that a Atom 230 is able to do around 30 concurrent transcoded calls. Guy also did some calls with just g711 and around 30 calls, CPU load was slightly under 20%. Unsure exactly how much better a dual core atom will do but I'm guessing it'll support up to 45-50 transcoded calls before it starts to choke itself.

For me, the selling point of Atom based setups definitely is the lower power draw footprint. Those Core 2 Duo based systems and its derivatives can use as much as 65W for the CPU alone while most dual core atom systems top out at around 50W at full load.

Using the 5015A-H (Atom 330) here for an office of 70 phones on a PRI which so far seems to be working okay. In our setup, we barely have more than 10 concurrent calls going at any given time.

eWiz looks like to be selling the dual core version of the 5015 for $236 + shipping/taxes after using a 15 off coupon (LABORDAY15).

 

[marlonbaez]

You can check on www.gopcn.com.
They got any server configuration.
I'm using Atom 330 with T1 sucessfully.

 

[Linetux]

Those are good, but they're not SuperMicro boards. Also, they don't have PCI-E, so if you need that you'll have to get the SuperMicro.

I have three of these units from GoPCN - nice systems for the money.

 

[vcallaway]

I think sometimes people over estimate their processing needs.

An atom dual core can handle most small offices. These are the specs on the computer I use for my home:

[SIZE=-1]Processors[/SIZE] [SIZE=-1]1[/SIZE] [SIZE=-1]
Model[/SIZE] [SIZE=-1]mobile AMD Athlon(tm) XP2800+ @ 36°C[/SIZE]
[SIZE=-1]CPU Speed[/SIZE] [SIZE=-1]530.08 Mhz[/SIZE]
[SIZE=-1]Cache Size[/SIZE] [SIZE=-1]512.00 KB[/SIZE] [SIZE=-1]
System Bogomips[/SIZE] [SIZE=-1]1060.31[/SIZE]

It has 768Mb of Ram and a 10Gb HD. The computer is an old Compaq laptop that was not worth buying a battery for. The computer handles the usual three or four simultaneous calls we sometimes have.

I like using the mini-itx systems for a couple of reasons. One of course is small footprint. The other is 12v power. The last two I setup with a picoUPS board and batteries.

The ability to be operational during power outages is a big deal to my client base.

 

[Speedy2k]

Do you guys think this computer can handle a digium AEX2400 card?? on the dual core model?? or is there something similar to this card that can fit in there??
http://www.digium.com/en/products/analog/aex2400.php
I absolutely need at least 8 FXO port and 8 FXS.

Thanx a lot!

 

[Braxus]

Do you guys think this computer can handle a digium AEX2400 card?? on the dual core model?? or is there something similar to this card that can fit in there??
http://www.digium.com/en/products/analog/aex2400.php
I absolutely need at least 8 FXO port and 8 FXS.

Thanx a lot!

Doesn't look like it will fit. AEX2400 seems to need at least 31.19 x 10.67 x 1.72 cm.

Here's hopefully something that can help you and others to decide what size cards will fit for this particular system:

RED - From PCIe riser to 3.5" > 2.5" drive cage
BLUE - From rear of chassis to SATA port 0
GREEN - From rear of chassis to front of chassis (use SATA ports 2 and 3 to bypass clearence issues)
YELLOW - From PCIe riser to side of chassis

RED - Clearence from PCIe slot to PCI slot.

 

[Speedy2k]

Thanx a lot so the best i can get is the AEX800 card in it?? Is there any other option in the same price range as an AEX2400 with 8FXO 8FXS ?? I was thinking of going with an AEX800 with 8FXO and drive the ATA with some linksys PAP2 ?? are they good enough to handle fax transmitting, because the ATA are only to send fax !

 

[derekneuberger]

Newegg Supermicro deal

One of Newegg's "daily deals" is the Supermicro combo:

1. SuperMicro SYS-5015A-H: $255.99
2. Wintec Industries 3AMD2667-2G2K-R: $38.99
3. Western Digital WD10EADS: $84.99
Combo Discount: -$60.00 Combo Price: $319.97

The server is a Intel Atom 330 Dual-Core 1.6GHz

URL (shrunk using tinyurl):

http://tinyurl.com/yld4kxt