IBM eServer 325 Dual Opteron 2.0GHz 1GB 120GB Server w/VID (Refurb) $197

[annaconda]

Link (http://www.geeks.com/details.asp?invtid=8835Y11-R&AID=10440852&CJPID=227502)

Geeks has the IBM eServer 325 Dual Opteron 2.0GHz 1GB 120GB Server w/VID (Refurbished) for a low $197.99 with 10% off Coupon Code: TECHBARGAINS (Exp 1/31). $14.00 Shipping

[P4rD0nM3]

Aah! I don't have any money left!

[Ockie]

Out of Stock.



DAMNIT!!! :mad::mad:

[annaconda]

Wow, Gone with the Wind.

[Vengance_01]

damnit!!

[axan]

damn it i want one

[erebus1]

back in stock, good luck to those who get one.

[MixManSC]

In for 1 - thanks OP !!! :D

[AMD_Gamer]

it says IDE drive but i see specs saying it is scsi?

[erebus1]

i think it houses a scsi card in addition to the ide

[compslckr]

I am so tempted, I am getting my own apartment in may and this would be an awesome backbone for my network

[axan]

ton of them floating on ebay, you actually get bit better deal then geeks

[AMD_Gamer]

can this run vmware esx server?

[lopoetve]

can this run vmware esx server?

Depends on the SCSI controller.

edit: to answer your question, yes.
http://www.vmware.com/pdf/vi3_systems_guide.pdf

However, you'll need to get a different HD if it actually has an IDE drive in there - VMFS must live on SCSI and preferably on RAID.

[AMD_Gamer]

here is more info on it

ftp://ftp.software.ibm.com/systems/support/system_x_pdf/88p9311.pdf

[AMD_Gamer]

Depends on the SCSI controller.

edit: to answer your question, yes.
http://www.vmware.com/pdf/vi3_systems_guide.pdf

However, you'll need to get a different HD if it actually has an IDE drive in there - VMFS must live on SCSI and preferably on RAID.

wow this would be perfect i was looking at the specs and the 2 front panels are for hot swap scsi, and there is a IDE connector inside

so all i would need is this and get some cheap scsi drives for an esx server!

[sc0tty8]

I snagged one.

[annaconda]

Out of stock again.

[ChrisJohnson00TA]

You guys have balls (or are deaf) if you are running 1U servers in your house.

I tried with a PE1850 and 2 HP 360 G5's.... couldn't do it.

[P4rD0nM3]

Hahaha, yeah they're loud but I'm trying to fill up a 42u at Paul so every deal is a good deal!

[apple2gs]

You guys have balls (or are deaf) if you are running 1U servers in your house.

I tried with a PE1850 and 2 HP 360 G5's.... couldn't do it.
headphones ftw

[swatbat]

You guys have balls (or are deaf) if you are running 1U servers in your house.

I tried with a PE1850 and 2 HP 360 G5's.... couldn't do it.

Basement, heated shead, etc. You can get away with stuffing them in a bunch of different areas. Now if you get a few of them it may become an issue.

[lopoetve]

You guys have balls (or are deaf) if you are running 1U servers in your house.

I tried with a PE1850 and 2 HP 360 G5's.... couldn't do it.

~looks around~

I count... 17 computers in various forms, including laptops.

Of those, in my immediate vicinity, are 6 of them, going full out.

Yeah... ;) noise? Not so much.

[ChrisJohnson00TA]

Don't get me wrong, I have a crap load of PC's (11, including 2 laptops, a PE2900 and a dual quad core Precision 690 as my workstation)... but, the 1U's were over the top.

No heated sheds, A/C'ed attics, or basements, etc for me.. I live in deeeep south Texas.. it already costs me ~$700/month to A/C my house!

Anyone need a pair of DL360's or an 1850? :p

[sc0tty8]

You guys have balls (or are deaf) if you are running 1U servers in your house.

I tried with a PE1850 and 2 HP 360 G5's.... couldn't do it.

Its going to my basement with my other server, no worries here.:p

[lopoetve]

Don't get me wrong, I have a crap load of PC's (11, including 2 laptops, a PE2900 and a dual quad core Precision 690 as my workstation)... but, the 1U's were over the top.

No heated sheds, A/C'ed attics, or basements, etc for me.. I live in deeeep south Texas.. it already costs me ~$700/month to A/C my house!

Anyone need a pair of DL360's or an 1850? :p

yes. I need them :)

[Xilikon]

Great deal but thanks for the eBay tips. I need a heater to put in my networking rack / storage room without any baseboard heater :) Make for a great firewall server and folding box to replace my P3-1000 but I need to take care of my CC which has been raped a lot lately :eek:

http://www.hardfolding.com/ftag1.php/mem/7959/16/0.png (http://www.hardfolding.com?go=38&tnum=33&id=7959)

[annaconda]

Where on ebay you can find for cheaper ?

[Xilikon]

Dude, just type "eserver 325" on eBay and you will see lots of them :rolleyes:

http://www.hardfolding.com/ftag1.php/mem/7959/16/0.png (http://www.hardfolding.com?go=38&tnum=33&id=7959)

[MixManSC]

Just watch the shipping costs and be sure of the seller.... I saw some there with $45 shipping and at final bids - once shipping was added the price was not much less.

http://www.hardfolding.com/ftag1.php/mem/199853/44/0.png (http://www.hardfolding.com?go=38&tnum=33&id=199853)

[Xilikon]

Just watch the shipping costs and be sure of the seller.... I saw some there with $45 shipping and at final bids - once shipping was added the price was not much less.

I agree. I saw a nice one which ship to Canada but they ask 115$ :rolleyes:

Just shop and you can find a nice deal.

http://www.hardfolding.com/ftag1.php/mem/7959/16/0.png (http://www.hardfolding.com?go=38&tnum=33&id=7959)

[annaconda]

I think i am going to stick with my server with out any case.

Specs:

AMD X2 3600
Foxconn AMD 690G Motherboard
4GB RAM PC6400
160GB SATA II Hard Drive
GigaBit Ethernet
Gemini II CPU Cooler (Passive)
500 Watts psu (Open Case)

The total Watts it draws = 65 Watts

Total Cost = $200 :D

I think mine is better than this IBM machine.

[Xilikon]

I think i am going to stick with my server with out any case.

Specs:

AMD X2 3600
Foxconn AMD 690G Motherboard
4GB RAM PC6400
160GB SATA II Hard Drive
GigaBit Ethernet
Gemini II CPU Cooler (Passive)
500 Watts psu (Open Case)

The total Watts it draws = 65 Watts

Total Cost = $200 :D

I think mine is better than this IBM machine.

How is that better if the eServer 325 has 2x Opteron while yours is just 1 ??

http://www.hardfolding.com/ftag1.php/mem/7959/16/0.png (http://www.hardfolding.com?go=38&tnum=33&id=7959)

[I3roknI3ottle]

his server only has one CPU but it has 2xcores on it, where as the IBM 325 has 2xCPU with single cores.

[Xilikon]

his server only has one CPU but it has 2xcores on it, where as the IBM 325 has 2xCPU with single cores.

Duh, I always forget that Opterons has single-cores indeed. However, they can be upgraded to dual-cores ones for 4 cores total ;)

http://www.hardfolding.com/ftag1.php/mem/7959/16/0.png (http://www.hardfolding.com?go=38&tnum=33&id=7959)

[MixManSC]

Actually I dont think they can.... :( That sucks. 3rd paragraph last sentence... http://www.itjungle.com/tug/tug042105-story01.html

"So, to be specific, the IBM eServer 325 and the initial batches of Sun's V20z Opteron servers cannot use the dual-core Opterons."

Looks like it's not such a hot deal after all.

[Xilikon]

Actually I dont think they can.... :( That sucks. 3rd paragraph last sentence... http://www.itjungle.com/tug/tug042105-story01.html

"So, to be specific, the IBM eServer 325 and the initial batches of Sun's V20z Opteron servers cannot use the dual-core Opterons."

Looks like it's not such a hot deal after all.

:( Not so hot after all indeed.

http://www.hardfolding.com/ftag1.php/mem/7959/16/0.png (http://www.hardfolding.com?go=38&tnum=33&id=7959)

[Ockie]

I think i am going to stick with my server with out any case.

Specs:

AMD X2 3600
Foxconn AMD 690G Motherboard
4GB RAM PC6400
160GB SATA II Hard Drive
GigaBit Ethernet
Gemini II CPU Cooler (Passive)
500 Watts psu (Open Case)

The total Watts it draws = 65 Watts

Total Cost = $200 :D

I think mine is better than this IBM machine.

Define better? As in more for your money or more for reliability and rock solid stability? You can't compare an IBM or any other enterprise grade server designed for stability and reliability (not to mention form factor design) to a home built box.

[annaconda]

lol, it took us few days to figure that out. I think it is a good deal in respect to the parts you are getting.

Lets break it down:

Server Case = $70 at least
2 X Opteron CPUs = $40 each minimum.= $80
1GB ECC memory = $40
120GB Hard Drive = $30
Motherboard = $70 at least
PowerSupply= $30
Heatsink, etc = $30

Total = $ 350

Correct me if i am wrong or missing something.

[MixManSC]

Maybe this thread should get moved to the discussion part.... anyhow I got mine in this morning. Looks nice - I've not yet had a chance to plug it in or anything. The specific model is 8835-Y11. The IBM Support page for it is http://www-304.ibm.com/jct01004c/systems/support/supportsite.wss/selectproduct?familyind=5151170&typeind=5151232&modelind=5166413&osind=0&brandind=5000008&oldfamily=5151170&taskind=2&continue.x=48&continue.y=13

Also IBM does have a doc specifically about setting this machine up as a VMWare ESX Server at the link above on the Install/Use tab. I did open the cover on it and yes it does have onboard SCSI - you would just need a SCSI cable and 2 68 pin SCSI drives to switch it to pure SCSI. It does not allow for hot plug drives and I dont see how you could fit an adaptor on the end of a drive so 80 pin SCA drives are not going to work. The ram it came with is 2 dimms and there are 4 more dimm slots open plus two PCI-X slots. It could be converted to use SCA drives but you would need the little backplane board and a new front bezel. On the plus side the rails for installing a second hard drive internally are taped in the second drive bay. I only wish it would support a pair of dual core processors. Probably would not work but I should just try sticking a pair in.... I just dont happen to have a pair of dual core opterons laying around so for now thats out.

[lopoetve]

Maybe this thread should get moved to the discussion part.... anyhow I got mine in this morning. Looks nice - I've not yet had a chance to plug it in or anything. The specific model is 8835-Y11. The IBM Support page for it is http://www-304.ibm.com/jct01004c/systems/support/supportsite.wss/selectproduct?familyind=5151170&typeind=5151232&modelind=5166413&osind=0&brandind=5000008&oldfamily=5151170&taskind=2&continue.x=48&continue.y=13

Also IBM does have a doc specifically about setting this machine up as a VMWare ESX Server at the link above on the Install/Use tab. I did open the cover on it and yes it does have onboard SCSI - you would just need a SCSI cable and 2 68 pin SCSI drives to switch it to pure SCSI. It does not allow for hot plug drives and I dont see how you could fit an adaptor on the end of a drive so 80 pin SCA drives are not going to work. The ram it came with is 2 dimms and there are 4 more dimm slots open plus two PCI-X slots. It could be converted to use SCA drives but you would need the little backplane board and a new front bezel. On the plus side the rails for installing a second hard drive internally are taped in the second drive bay. I only wish it would support a pair of dual core processors. Probably would not work but I should just try sticking a pair in.... I just dont happen to have a pair of dual core opterons laying around so for now thats out.

Rather than looking at IBMs docs, you should look at the VMWare docs about ESX. We DO have a full compatibility grid, after all :)

[annaconda]

Any one got their yet, please post some pics if you can.

[AMD_Gamer]

i got one with 2GB ram off ebay for $135 + $45 shipping so $180 shipped, i will post a plethora of screenshots and all the info i can once i get it, might be about a week or so.

[annaconda]

i got one with 2GB ram off ebay for $135 + $45 shipping so $180 shipped, i will post a plethora of screenshots and all the info i can once i get it, might be about a week or so.

Damn nice price.

[AMD_Gamer]

Damn nice price.

this company here is who i got it from, it seems like a good company lots of positive review but i will know when i get it in, http://stores.ebay.com/DPV-COMPUTER-SURPLUS

[AMD_Gamer]

Maybe this thread should get moved to the discussion part.... anyhow I got mine in this morning. Looks nice - I've not yet had a chance to plug it in or anything. The specific model is 8835-Y11. The IBM Support page for it is http://www-304.ibm.com/jct01004c/systems/support/supportsite.wss/selectproduct?familyind=5151170&typeind=5151232&modelind=5166413&osind=0&brandind=5000008&oldfamily=5151170&taskind=2&continue.x=48&continue.y=13

Also IBM does have a doc specifically about setting this machine up as a VMWare ESX Server at the link above on the Install/Use tab. I did open the cover on it and yes it does have onboard SCSI - you would just need a SCSI cable and 2 68 pin SCSI drives to switch it to pure SCSI. It does not allow for hot plug drives and I dont see how you could fit an adaptor on the end of a drive so 80 pin SCA drives are not going to work. The ram it came with is 2 dimms and there are 4 more dimm slots open plus two PCI-X slots. It could be converted to use SCA drives but you would need the little backplane board and a new front bezel. On the plus side the rails for installing a second hard drive internally are taped in the second drive bay. I only wish it would support a pair of dual core processors. Probably would not work but I should just try sticking a pair in.... I just dont happen to have a pair of dual core opterons laying around so for now thats out.

the scsi is suppose to support hot swap?

[vbrtrmn]

You guys have balls (or are deaf) if you are running 1U servers in your house.

I tried with a PE1850 and 2 HP 360 G5's.... couldn't do it.

I run two 4U servers in a rack next to my desk.

[AMD_Gamer]

Maybe this thread should get moved to the discussion part.... anyhow I got mine in this morning. Looks nice - I've not yet had a chance to plug it in or anything. The specific model is 8835-Y11. The IBM Support page for it is http://www-304.ibm.com/jct01004c/systems/support/supportsite.wss/selectproduct?familyind=5151170&typeind=5151232&modelind=5166413&osind=0&brandind=5000008&oldfamily=5151170&taskind=2&continue.x=48&continue.y=13

Also IBM does have a doc specifically about setting this machine up as a VMWare ESX Server at the link above on the Install/Use tab. I did open the cover on it and yes it does have onboard SCSI - you would just need a SCSI cable and 2 68 pin SCSI drives to switch it to pure SCSI. It does not allow for hot plug drives and I dont see how you could fit an adaptor on the end of a drive so 80 pin SCA drives are not going to work. The ram it came with is 2 dimms and there are 4 more dimm slots open plus two PCI-X slots. It could be converted to use SCA drives but you would need the little backplane board and a new front bezel. On the plus side the rails for installing a second hard drive internally are taped in the second drive bay. I only wish it would support a pair of dual core processors. Probably would not work but I should just try sticking a pair in.... I just dont happen to have a pair of dual core opterons laying around so for now thats out.

does anyone know where i could get some really cheap scsi drives or what kind i should look for on ebay or elsewhere, i have never worked with scsi drives before.

[lopoetve]

does anyone know where i could get some really cheap scsi drives or what kind i should look for on ebay or elsewhere, i have never worked with scsi drives before.

just match the controller type to the drive. Cheap and SCSI don't really equate a whole log, unless you're going very small.

[HiJon89]

I run two 4U servers in a rack next to my desk.
4U servers usually have 120mm fans which are much quieter than the fans in 1U servers.

[Paul_Johnson]

You guys have balls (or are deaf) if you are running 1U servers in your house.

I tried with a PE1850 and 2 HP 360 G5's.... couldn't do it.

I have 2 1u's, and Intel 510T, and a SM-8800 all in my office.

And in the end i still have things come through here that make more noise.

[MixManSC]

Hot swap is for 80 pin SCA drives - mine does not support that as it came. You would need to get a SCSI backplane, a new front bezel, and drive sleds to use how swap drives on this. All of which are very specifc parts that are made just for a 1U IBM server and possibly specific to this model - so hot swap SCSI will be hard to do. To answer your question - yes SCSI supports hot swap, but that in itself does not mean a machine with SCSI is ready for it. Your best option for this machine will be to get a 3 ended 68 pin SCSI cable with a terminator on it. Then get 2 68 pin SCSI hard drives - U320 drives would be ideal if you are after maximizing the speed but most any 68 pin single ended 3.5" SCSI drives should work fine in it.

A rounded cable like this one is ideal but you dont really have much space for trying to coil up a 6 foot cable in a 1U server. http://cgi.ebay.com/SCSI-ULTRA-320-LVD-SE-68-PIN-CABLE-4-DEVICE-U320-NEW_W0QQitemZ120216480259QQihZ002QQcategoryZ39969QQssPageNam eZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem You could probably get away with a flat cable but you will most likely need to do some neat origami to the cable to keep things tidy with any sort of airflow. You might also be able to carefully use a razor and cut a couple of extra ends off of a longer cable.

[sc0tty8]

How hard would it be to put a pair of sata drives in the hot swap bays, not after hot swap, just want to maximize its storage:D

[AMD_Gamer]

Hot swap is for 80 pin SCA drives - mine does not support that as it came. You would need to get a SCSI backplane, a new front bezel, and drive sleds to use how swap drives on this. All of which are very specifc parts that are made just for a 1U IBM server and possibly specific to this model - so hot swap SCSI will be hard to do. To answer your question - yes SCSI supports hot swap, but that in itself does not mean a machine with SCSI is ready for it. Your best option for this machine will be to get a 3 ended 68 pin SCSI cable with a terminator on it. Then get 2 68 pin SCSI hard drives - U320 drives would be ideal if you are after maximizing the speed but most any 68 pin single ended 3.5" SCSI drives should work fine in it.

A rounded cable like this one is ideal but you dont really have much space for trying to coil up a 6 foot cable in a 1U server. http://cgi.ebay.com/SCSI-ULTRA-320-LVD-SE-68-PIN-CABLE-4-DEVICE-U320-NEW_W0QQitemZ120216480259QQihZ002QQcategoryZ39969QQssPageNam eZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem You could probably get away with a flat cable but you will most likely need to do some neat origami to the cable to keep things tidy with any sort of airflow. You might also be able to carefully use a razor and cut a couple of extra ends off of a longer cable.

but the scsi drives go in the hotswap drive bays right? and ide drive has a place inside?

[RonB]

I got one of these last week for $108 plus 45 shipping. It has 2 hd bays in the front, both ide. Has 2 pci-x slots and uses usb (1.1) for keyboard and mouse (has 2 usb in back and 2 in front). Hot swap? Not these, at least not for me, you have to remove front plate and also open top up to install / remove drives. Came with 1 120 gig drive but I put 2 160's in for storage. Have it down in the garage now as it is a little loud HaHa Reminds me of when I use to overclock AMD's in the early 2000's with those little hight speed hsf's.

Hey, it's got 2 Opty's and plenty of RAM now (4 gigs presently) so for my needs it works perfectly. Now to teach wife how to transfer music and files to it.

For the price I paid it is worth it to me.

[MixManSC]

but the scsi drives go in the hotswap drive bays right? and ide drive has a place inside?

It has 2 hard drive bays - hot swap or IDE but to convert to hotswap you need what I posted above and it's one or the other. The IDE drive is not in a 3rd location.

How hard would it be to put a pair of sata drives in the hot swap bays, not after hot swap, just want to maximize its storage:D

A 3.5" hard drive is a 3.5" hard drive so yeah it will physically mount in there just fine. However this machine has no SATA connections for power or data so you would need to use power connector adapters and install a PCI SATA controller in one of the PCI-X slots.

[RonB]

Has anyone tried putting a pci video card in to improve the video? I see in the BIOS something about the video but don't want to make any changes until I know I can get back in and correct anything that might not work.

[AMD_Gamer]

Has anyone tried putting a pci video card in to improve the video? I see in the BIOS something about the video but don't want to make any changes until I know I can get back in and correct anything that might not work.

you wold need a PCI-X video card do they have those? and if you messed something up why not just reset bios?

[sc0tty8]

I saw an option for disabling EEC, could one disable it, and use non-eec ram to save some $$$?

[RonB]

the pci slots are backward compatible. I've got a 5 port USB 2.0 card in one slot and I did have a sound blaster in the other but I went usb for the sound freeing up the one slot. I have a pci 128 video card and checked out the bios, only thing I found about video was video agp abled/disable. Guess I'll give it a try later and just be prepared to reset bios if need be.

Thanks

[AMD_Gamer]

i got mine in today it looks brand new no dust or anything i am going to be doing some testing and installing stuff on it tomorrow i will do a full review of it here pretty soon.

i see how you would not be able to do the scsi hotswap but it looks like you can get some kind of special card you can put it so it has a stable connector, im not really sure what this is called, so instead of connecting it right to the scsi cable you push it against a connector on a board and the cable is connected to the other side of it? i dont see anything about it on the ibm web site?

[MixManSC]

That would be called the SCA backplane - on the inside of the case it will have a power connector, SCSI connector, and probably a smaller monitoring cable. On the drive side two SCA connectors. Card will probably be an inch and a half tall x 6 to 8 inches long. You would also need a different bezel for the right front.

The options installation guide shows the hot swap parts ftp://ftp.software.ibm.com/systems/support/system_x_pdf/88p9311.pdf

This page shows the parts you would need to find to convert it to hot swap. Specifically

The backplane - IBM Part # 32P1932
The Front Bezel - # 74P4949

then of course drives on original IBM SCA drive sleds.

A quick peek on eBay found one seller with everything you need but the drives and sleds. http://cgi.ebay.com/IBM-32P1932-SCSI-Backplane-Bezel-24P0720-X335-w-cables_W0QQitemZ350019985870QQihZ022QQcategoryZ56095QQssPage NameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

for $46.50 shipped - not too bad and it even includes the correct cables you would need. Just search the part number on eBay. Then find the SCA SCSI drives with sleds or find drives without and find bare sleds.

[ir0nw0lf]

Anything extra needed to mount these into a standard 19" round holed rack? Drive rails on the sides wouldn't really need, just would need to mount it up the rack.

[AMD_Gamer]

That would be called the SCA backplane - on the inside of the case it will have a power connector, SCSI connector, and probably a smaller monitoring cable. On the drive side two SCA connectors. Card will probably be an inch and a half tall x 6 to 8 inches long. You would also need a different bezel for the right front.

The options installation guide shows the hot swap parts ftp://ftp.software.ibm.com/systems/support/system_x_pdf/88p9311.pdf

This page shows the parts you would need to find to convert it to hot swap. Specifically

The backplane - IBM Part # 32P1932
The Front Bezel - # 74P4949

then of course drives on original IBM SCA drive sleds.

A quick peek on eBay found one seller with everything you need but the drives and sleds. http://cgi.ebay.com/IBM-32P1932-SCSI-Backplane-Bezel-24P0720-X335-w-cables_W0QQitemZ350019985870QQihZ022QQcategoryZ56095QQssPage NameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

for $46.50 shipped - not too bad and it even includes the correct cables you would need. Just search the part number on eBay. Then find the SCA SCSI drives with sleds or find drives without and find bare sleds.

thanks that is exactly what i was looking for new, i new it was something like that, i have that pdf and the other guides for the eserver 325 i just overlooked it because it does not mention it other than in that diagram in the first few pages.

i would also need those drive sleds :(

[AMD_Gamer]

fuck i need a dvi > vga adapter :(

[AMD_Gamer]

if anyone has one they could donate to me i will pay for S&H ?

[jkerr2]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814999201

[sc0tty8]

Anyone else have one of these servers that randomly powers off? Before I put mine down in the rafters, it worked fine, then, it started power down on its own:confused: I am running it with windows home server with the drive and ram out of the box.

[MixManSC]

Hmmm.... mines has been running 24x7 for a week now at 100% load. I'd double check that none of the internal fans have not gotten disconnected and maybe double check the cpu heatsinks. Sounds like it's overheating.

[sderden]

Can anyone tell me how loud these are? In comparison to say a Zalman 9700 at full speed? or anything else? I just bought one from eBay for 160.00 with 2 gig ram. Also are these things really long?

P.S.
Please post some pics. 4 pages and no pics?

[LoStMaTt]

I have an x360 and it is LOUD....not sure about the 325's though.

[dasaint]

Can anyone tell me how loud these are? In comparison to say a Zalman 9700 at full speed? or anything else? I just bought one from eBay for 160.00 with 2 gig ram. Also are these things really long?

P.S.
Please post some pics. 4 pages and no pics?


yes they are that long.... its a frikken 1U Server designed to be in a server rack in a server room... they got length babay......

loud usually depends on how hot it is.... these things can SCREAM when they are trying to cool themselves down

[beyoku]

I havent been on HF in probably 3 years but this thread caught my eye.
Anyone notice that they are back in stock but the shipping is a bit higher and the 10% of coupons (both) no longer work :(
After thinking about my needs for such a server i decided to hit ebay.

[annaconda]

DEAL IS BACK :D

[AMD_Gamer]

DEAL IS BACK :D

i got one on ebay for $180 shipped $145 + shipping

[P4rD0nM3]

What's the ebayer's id? Hey what kind of Opterons are these again? Can someone link me to specs or reviews? Thanks.

[ereshkigal]

This is the one I just got from ebay.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=120218401335

[RonB]

Yeah, I got the eServer 325 also, picked up 4 gigs of RAM here at Hardocp and then installed a 5 port usb 2.0 card and a pci video card. Also using a usb Creative Labs sound card. Not too bad of a deal. Is a bit louder than I'd like, but I plan on moving it down into my garage and using it for data/music/video storage. I pulled the 120 gig H/D and installed 2 160 gig drives.

Like the idea of dual Opterons. Using Windows XP Home on it myself. I paid $108.00 plus the $45.00 shipping.

[sc0tty8]

Anyone running non-eec ram?

[P4rD0nM3]

What kind of Opteron is it running on?

[AMD_Gamer]

This is the one I just got from ebay.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=120218401335

yup same exact one and company i got :)

mine looks brand new no dust or anything :)

[AMD_Gamer]

What kind of Opteron is it running on?

AMD OPTERON 246

confirmed from the BIOS :)

and it has 2 of them, awesome deal

[sc0tty8]

Mine runs windows home server, the 120 day trial, I got it from M$. So far the server has not shut off on me yet. If it does start up with that, I am sending the fucker back and going for that dual xenon they got.

[Tedro]

•••Anyone running non-eec ram?

[AMD_Gamer]

im looking at the BIOS right now and it has the option to disable ECC , disable enable DRAM ECC, ECC SCRUB REDIRECTION, Chip-Kill and some other crazy stuff

not sure if that means you can use non ECC or not

[sc0tty8]

im looking at the BIOS right now and it has the option to disable ECC , disable enable DRAM ECC, ECC SCRUB REDIRECTION, Chip-Kill and some other crazy stuff

not sure if that means you can use non ECC or not

I'd like to know, if I can run reg ddr its getting 6 gigs:D

[AMD_Gamer]

ok i have this 10+ year old vga monitor that is working with it so i fired her up and did some testing to make sure its good and it is!

i used the enhanced diagnostics program http://www-304.ibm.com/jct01004c/systems/support/supportsite.wss/docdisplay?lndocid=MIGR-53062&brandind=5000008

and UBCD to run memtest and then installed Ubuntu without any trouble :)

this is an awesome deal i will try and get some pics and a full review up here soon,

it is not that loud at all, for some reason when you first turn it on it sounds like a vaccum cleaner but it dies down after 2-3 seconds.

once again i recommend getting one from here if you are interested i got mine for $135 and $45 shipping, well worth it, and good learning experience if you have never worked with a blade server like this

http://cgi.ebay.com/IBM-eServer-325-Dual-AMD-Opteron-2ghz-120GB-HD-2GB-RAM_W0QQitemZ300197217449QQihZ020QQcategoryZ11215QQssPageNam eZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

these people must have hundreds of them and i highly recommend them http://stores.ebay.com/DPV-COMPUTER-SURPLUS

now the ultimate test ESX SERVER!!!!!!

[P4rD0nM3]

Can't seem to find where to put the coupon code for the discount...

[AMD_Gamer]

Can't seem to find where to put the coupon code for the discount...

get one from ebay like i did

[P4rD0nM3]

I'm trying too but most shipping is $45...

[AMD_Gamer]

I'm trying too but most shipping is $45...

yeah and i got it for $135 so $180 shipped

[P4rD0nM3]

Hmm, if I win a bid or if this deal comes back, it'll be overkill for just a server hosting shell acounts for irc/eggdrop/bnc. Hehehe.

[beyoku]

Anyone know if you can swap out the Cd drive to a different optical drive like dvd/rw?

[sc0tty8]

Anyone know if you can swap out the Cd drive to a different optical drive like dvd/rw?

I swapped in a cdrw/dvd rom from my laptop into it. Its a slim form factor drive. There is also an ide to laptop drive adapter in there. Fairly straight forward.

[P4rD0nM3]

Hey, the Opteron 246 is 64 bit right? Yeah...AMD64.

http://www.techpowerup.com/cpudb/202/AMD_Opteron_246.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_AMD_Opteron_microprocessors

Lol, I won three. I'll take pictures when they get here.

[ir0nw0lf]

lol, I must be getting into bid wars with some of you then over a few of these. :p

[AMD_Gamer]

Hey, the Opteron 246 is 64 bit right? Yeah...AMD64.

http://www.techpowerup.com/cpudb/202/AMD_Opteron_246.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_AMD_Opteron_microprocessors

Lol, I won three. I'll take pictures when they get here.

how did you win 3?

the eserver 325 comes with them you know.........

[P4rD0nM3]

No I won three bids in ebay.

[AMD_Gamer]

No I won three bids in ebay.

awesome, going to do some clustering?

[sderden]

pics?

[outbreakm]

How many hard drives does this hold 2 or 3?

[compslckr]

This is so tempting, one of those eServer 325's and one of these
http://cgi.ebay.com/4-BAY-MULTILANE-HOTSWAP-SATA-CASE-RAID-5-PCI-X-CARD-CBL_W0QQitemZ310021485745QQihZ021QQcategoryZ3757QQssPageName ZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

would make quite the little home server setup along with my current 16 port gigabit switch

[AMD_Gamer]

How many hard drives does this hold 2 or 3?

2 drives

[AMD_Gamer]

pics?

i have a new usb cable coming from amazon, should have pics up sometime this weekend

[sc0tty8]

The units "natively" hold 2 drives, but, eliminate the optical drive and I think you could easily get 3 IDE drives in it. At least, thats my plan. I am running WHS and want to do 3 750gb drives.

[codegrinder]

geeks has them again for 219 + sh

[sderden]

That would be called the SCA backplane - on the inside of the case it will have a power connector, SCSI connector, and probably a smaller monitoring cable. On the drive side two SCA connectors. Card will probably be an inch and a half tall x 6 to 8 inches long. You would also need a different bezel for the right front.

The options installation guide shows the hot swap parts ftp://ftp.software.ibm.com/systems/support/system_x_pdf/88p9311.pdf

This page shows the parts you would need to find to convert it to hot swap. Specifically

The backplane - IBM Part # 32P1932
The Front Bezel - # 74P4949

then of course drives on original IBM SCA drive sleds.

A quick peek on eBay found one seller with everything you need but the drives and sleds. http://cgi.ebay.com/IBM-32P1932-SCSI-Backplane-Bezel-24P0720-X335-w-cables_W0QQitemZ350019985870QQihZ022QQcategoryZ56095QQssPage NameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

for $46.50 shipped - not too bad and it even includes the correct cables you would need. Just search the part number on eBay. Then find the SCA SCSI drives with sleds or find drives without and find bare sleds.


The link is for a bezel for a 335, will this work with the 325? The backplane part number is the same, but the bezel part numbers are different.

[MixManSC]

I did not even notice that. Not 100% sure but it looks like it will fit just fine.

[beyoku]

damn... damn.... damn... Fed ex!.
I usually hate UPS and love FED Ex.
I just got mine today, shipped to my job. Opened it up and there was a damaged bezel and the metal frame was also bent.........So much so that you would have to take the bezel off to use the front Usb or hit the power/reset switches. There was a gash in the side of the box.
Still I powered it up, i was not THAT loud, only about as loud as the fan i had on the Athlon XP2100...........globalWin FOP38???

Got mine from that same company off ebay and they sent me a RMA label today by email. I will send it back and they will send me a new one. No charge to me, i guess thats good.

I couldnt get that much of a look at the IDE drive but would this standard one work as the replacement? Thanks much in advanced.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827151162

[AMD_Gamer]

remember some of them from that company come with 2GB RAM installed, so try to bid on those

[Ockie]

Sucks that these dont come with rails.

[beyoku]

Yeah bid on the 2 gig ones because the ram is just about as expensive as the rig.

[AMD_RULES]

man, I wish i hadn't missed out on this deal. Awesome server.

[sc0tty8]

I couldnt get that much of a look at the IDE drive but would this standard one work as the replacement? Thanks much in advanced.


Yes.

[AMD_Gamer]

man, I wish i hadn't missed out on this deal. Awesome server.

the deal is ongoing on ebay, i got mine for $135

[beyoku]

the pci slots are backward compatible. I've got a 5 port USB 2.0 card in one slot and I did have a sound blaster in the other but I went usb for the sound freeing up the one slot. I have a pci 128 video card and checked out the bios, only thing I found about video was video agp abled/disable. Guess I'll give it a try later and just be prepared to reset bios if need be.

Thanks

What OS did you happen to be running on it?
I have a 1 year trial version of Server 2003, does anyone know if the drivers are THAT different? I mean i do know that Server 2003 has its own drivers but can you use XP drivers the same way that you could use Win2000 drivers for XP and Win98 Drivers for WInME. I am also looking to toss in a gfx card and maybe a USB 2.0 card.

[Diablo2K]

Forgive my stupidity in this area but I have a couple questions.

1. If I get one of these do I need some sort of rack to mount it in or can it just sit on a table and have the hookups in the rear like a normal desktop?
2. I am mainly thinking of getting one or more of these for experimenting with different software and to use as a Folding machine, how easy are these to setup with various operating systems?
3. Besides an Os will I need anything else to get one of these to run other than keyboard, mouse, and a Monitor?

[havenoclu]

Forgive my stupidity in this area but I have a couple questions.

1. If I get one of these do I need some sort of rack to mount it in or can it just sit on a table and have the hookups in the rear like a normal desktop?
2. I am mainly thinking of getting one or more of these for experimenting with different software and to use as a Folding machine, how easy are these to setup with various operating systems?
3. Besides an Os will I need anything else to get one of these to run other than keyboard, mouse, and a Monitor?

1. It should be fine on a table
2. Just like any other computer
3. Nope

[AMD_Gamer]

can somebody tell me what DVi > AGP adapter i need, i orderd this one http://www.amazon.com/QVS-CF15D-MFA-Female-Panel-Adaptor/dp/B00007E86Z/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1203123250&sr=8-1 and it does not fucking work:mad:

i dont understand why not i know the port works because i hooked it up to an old monitor i have

[swatbat]

Forgive my stupidity in this area but I have a couple questions.

1. If I get one of these do I need some sort of rack to mount it in or can it just sit on a table and have the hookups in the rear like a normal desktop?
2. I am mainly thinking of getting one or more of these for experimenting with different software and to use as a Folding machine, how easy are these to setup with various operating systems?
3. Besides an Os will I need anything else to get one of these to run other than keyboard, mouse, and a Monitor?

Just an operating system besides keyboard, mouse, network cable, etc.

Mind you these suckers are kinda long. They will work fine sitting on a table though.

[AMD_Gamer]

testing esx server now

[AMD_Gamer]

I got ESX server 3.5 60 day trial up and running on this thing without a problem, only problem is that you can install ESX server itself to an IDE drive but not store virtual disks on it so you cant create virtual machines, but thanks to its support for NFS i turned my FREENAS box into a nice NFS server and was able to create virtual machines and store them on the NAS via NFS over my network! but it is slooowwwww over a 100mbps link. i guess i have my own little 100mbps SAN going here lol

now i just need to get some cheap scsi drives instead of storing and installing operating systems over the network.

pretty badass a $135 esx server :)

now here is something funny, i could not install the esx server console on vista 64 so i had to install it on my windows server 2008 trial that is running in a virtual machine on regular VMware server on my other machine, so i am controller ESX server from within a virtual machine in VMware server!

[Diablo2K]

1. It should be fine on a table
2. Just like any other computer
3. Nope

Just an operating system besides keyboard, mouse, network cable, etc.

Mind you these suckers are kinda long. They will work fine sitting on a table though.

Thanks guys. I am self taught when it comes to computers learning most of what I know from the [H] and just tearing into things. I would like to learn more about servers and stuff like that. I hate that a lot of this thread I have no idea what people are talking about. (ESX Server, NAS, NFS....). I would also like to get a box so I can start playing around with Linux, I have tried it a couple times by dual booting but I get tired of having to select which OS I want so I give up quickly and just go back to windows.

Is there a newer version of these that is capable of using dual core processors that doesn't cost very much more? Also these are Socket 940 are they not?

[P4rD0nM3]

Got the 1st one today, I forgot it doesn't have ps/2. And my keyboards are all ps/2. Lol. Where's a cheap place to buy ps2 usb adapters?

Anything cheaper than this? http://www.emtcompany.com/products/adapters/ps2usb-ps2-to-usb-adapter.htm

[lopoetve]

Got the 1st one today, I forgot it doesn't have ps/2. And my keyboards are all ps/2. Lol. Where's a cheap place to buy ps2 usb adapters?

Anything cheaper than this? http://www.emtcompany.com/products/adapters/ps2usb-ps2-to-usb-adapter.htm

go to best buy

get $10 USB keyboard.

profit!

[AMD_Gamer]

Got the 1st one today, I forgot it doesn't have ps/2. And my keyboards are all ps/2. Lol. Where's a cheap place to buy ps2 usb adapters?

Anything cheaper than this? http://www.emtcompany.com/products/adapters/ps2usb-ps2-to-usb-adapter.htm

get the IBM diagnostics cd for the eserver325 and make sure everything works and is stable http://www-304.ibm.com/jct01004c/systems/support/supportsite.wss/docdisplay?lndocid=MIGR-53062&brandind=5000008

the cd has an amazing amount of options and ways you can test

[sc0tty8]

get the IBM diagnostics cd for the eserver325 and make sure everything works and is stable http://www-304.ibm.com/jct01004c/systems/support/supportsite.wss/docdisplay?lndocid=MIGR-53062&brandind=5000008

the cd has an amazing amount of options and ways you can test

Interesting. How long does it take to perform its diagnostics?

[AMD_Gamer]

Interesting. How long does it take to perform its diagnostics?

the CD is insane, it has a plethora of different stuff, most of it you need to be an IBM computer engineer to know what it is, you can select alot of different tests to run i was overwhelmed i just ran some quick test that tested all the hardware then a memory test thing similar to memtest86.

trust me try it out

[sderden]

Ok got mine last night, Let me tell you a few things.. First this thing is not loud at all. I have a Dell 1500SC server. Now that thing is loud.. Second its not that big, its about 4 inch's longer than my uber Chakra case..

Thanks AMD_Gamer for the CD ran the Diag and everything checks out good, all tests passed.. Now to leave + feedback.. I will have pics up by tonight..

[tronics]

so is the picture the same as what you get? and are those hotswap trays for ide or scsi?

[AMD_Gamer]

Ladies and Gentlemen, the IBM eserver325!




http://img185.imageshack.us/img185/1684/img4430gd9.jpg
http://img442.imageshack.us/img442/1797/img4432xf9.jpg
http://img299.imageshack.us/img299/4874/img4435oa1.jpg
http://img295.imageshack.us/img295/3333/img4438en9.jpg
http://img442.imageshack.us/img442/5350/img4439og6.jpg
http://img299.imageshack.us/img299/250/img4440cz7.jpg
http://img299.imageshack.us/img299/2645/img4441sw6.jpg
http://img247.imageshack.us/img247/8827/img4442xz7.jpg
http://img147.imageshack.us/img147/2050/img4443vp5.jpg

http://img187.imageshack.us/img187/2641/img4444tk5.jpg
http://img295.imageshack.us/img295/4351/img4445pg7.jpg
http://img184.imageshack.us/img184/7355/img4446rb6.jpg
http://img184.imageshack.us/img184/7355/img4446rb6.jpg
http://img244.imageshack.us/img244/5107/img4447na0.jpg
http://img172.imageshack.us/img172/4214/img4448ek7.jpg
http://img245.imageshack.us/img245/8747/img4450aa2.jpg
http://img247.imageshack.us/img247/4219/img4453fe5.jpg
http://img141.imageshack.us/img141/3112/img4454de8.jpg
http://img504.imageshack.us/img504/2460/img4455pd6.jpg

[sc0tty8]

Ok srsly.

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/digitalphotography/learnmore/tips/eschelman2.mspx

Go there and get that.

[Indignity]

Holy Megapixels AMD Gamer.. Please use the thumbnail feature or shrink em down a little.

[lopoetve]

PLEASE resize those!

[AMD_Gamer]

damn sorry guys i thought people had larger monitors these days

[sderden]

they look good to me....

[sc0tty8]

they look good to me....

This morning they where like 3 feet wide. Not shitting you.:eek:

[Indignity]

yeah, seem to be all fixed up now :)

[RonB]

Pics show same as mine, but I've added video and pci usb card plus 4 gigs of RAM. Nice huh ?

[MixManSC]

so is the picture the same as what you get? and are those hotswap trays for ide or scsi?

As already mentioned, there are no hotswap trays, period. These are IDE systems. Info on what you would need to convert it to hotswap scsi is a page or so back in the thread.

[filthysanchez]

I don't think I could leave that in a 1U, 3 or 4 at the least.

[P4rD0nM3]

Hey guys, just reviving this, can you use non-ECC memory? And where can I buy it cheap?

[Ockie]

Has anyone been able to find rails for these things? I am having no such luck.

[P4rD0nM3]

Just read something on this forum.

Unbuffered vs Buffered/Registered and if ECC is important
First, I'll touch on ECC. Think of ECC as a superset of DRAM. If both the Motherboard and Memory support ECC, it can be enabled, but doesn't have to be. A non-ECC ram stick will work in an ECC supporting motherboard just as an ECC stick will work in a motherboard that doesn't support ECC.
ECC is basically a way to check for errors (duh ). Those of you who need it will know why this is important. If you don't know, you most likely don't need ECC.

Unbuffered RAM is what is used in the majority of desktop motherboards. Registered RAM is typically used in a server environment.
Basically, Registered RAM has a little buffer that incurrs a performance hit, but allows for much better loading on the memory controller to allow for many more sticks to be used, thus why it's typically used in servers or computers that definitly need a lot of Memory Capacity.

And...

It depends a lot on the motherboard.

Yes, you can mix-and-match ECC with non-ECC RAM/motherboard.

However, you cannot mix-and-match Registered/Buffered with Un-registered/Unbuffered RAM.

(I learned that from personal experience after buying the wrong Kingston RAM.)

EDIT 1: Ok, since I was too lazy to buy a generic USB keyboard back then, I bought myself a Belkin USB-PS/2 adapter.

Fired the eServer up and there is an option to turn off ECC. So I'm guessing...yeah?

I have a 2x 1GB DDR SDRAM PC2700 module on my old HP desktop that I use upstairs, so I'll shut that one down and try to boot up with Non ECC, and then 2 modules of ECC and 2 modules of Non ECC (Dunno i fthis is goign to work, if ECC is disabled in the BIOS).

[P4rD0nM3]

Sad to say that it won't take Non ECC ram. Mine passed every single bit of test from the IBM Diagnostic CD.

I took a picture of it!

http://img267.imageshack.us/img267/9218/mg1072tn5.png

[codegrinder]

Hardware Information
Processors 2
Model AMD Opteron(tm) Processor 246
CPU Speed 1.99 GHz
Cache Size 1024.00 KB
System Bogomips 7978.2

Label Value
Core0 Temp 102°F (39°C)
Core0 Temp 120°F (49°C)

i also stuck in a pcix card and replaced the two ide drives with sata.

[codegrinder]

whats every one using for an OS?

[swatbat]

Fired the eServer up and there is an option to turn off ECC. So I'm guessing...yeah?

I have a 2x 1GB DDR SDRAM PC2700 module on my old HP desktop that I use upstairs, so I'll shut that one down and try to boot up with Non ECC, and then 2 modules of ECC and 2 modules of Non ECC (Dunno i fthis is goign to work, if ECC is disabled in the BIOS).


Sad to say that it won't take Non ECC ram. Mine passed every single bit of test from the IBM Diagnostic CD.


I don't know if I've ever seen non-ecc registered ddr before. Thing is most registered memory is also ecc due to where it is going. Has been this way for a while. I'd be a little susprised to see register memory that doesn't support it. You can still disable the ecc in a lot of cases but the memory being registered is what is important.

On normal Unbuffered memory you can swap ecc for non-ecc and it is fine.

[AMD_Gamer]

whats every one using for an OS?

i have installed Ubuntu, Server 2003 and ESX Server on it so far.

[AMD_Gamer]

how is everyone doing with their eserver 325?

[codegrinder]

collecting dust :(

[AMD_Gamer]

collecting dust :(

why?

[codegrinder]

uses more power then my 2650. no matter if the cpus are idle or fully loaded it uses the same amount of power. i think the power supply is not desinged that well.

[MixManSC]

Mine is steady folding away for the [H]orde. :D

http://www.hardfolding.com/ftag1.php/mem/199853/44/1.png (http://www.hardfolding.com?go=38&tnum=33&id=199853)

[lopoetve]

anyone have one they want to sell now?

[svet-am]

I just picked up one of these one eBay brand new (lucky me, I caught it five minutes after it was posted). Mine is the dually Opty @ 2.2GHz, 4GB RAM, 80GB HDD (IDE).

My question is whether anyone knows if these machines support IDE LBA48 so that I could throw a large IDE HDD in it.

[sabregen]

Has anyone been able to find rails for these things? I am having no such luck.

Guys, you'll have to call IBM Boulder Parts to get rails for these, as they have been EOL'd (the e series...the whole line). IBM Boulder parts can be reached at:

1-800-388-7080

I don't know if you'll need a Customer # and Location ID # though. We are an IBM Partner, and reseller. I will be taking my IBM System X (which covers the eseries) test next Friday. Hope it helps. If they ask, you found the number with the machine documentation :D

[svet-am]

Guys, you'll have to call IBM Boulder Parts to get rails for these, as they have been EOL'd (the e series...the whole line). IBM Boulder parts can be reached at:

1-800-388-7080

I don't know if you'll need a Customer # and Location ID # though. We are an IBM Partner, and reseller. I will be taking my IBM System X (which covers the eseries) test next Friday. Hope it helps. If they ask, you found the number with the machine documentation :D

You don't need to have a customer number. Also, if you're local to Denver, you can go pick them up in person. I've done that before since the IBM Boulder site is literally about a mile and a half from where I work.

[sabregen]

I just picked up one of these one eBay brand new (lucky me, I caught it five minutes after it was posted). Mine is the dually Opty @ 2.2GHz, 4GB RAM, 80GB HDD (IDE).

My question is whether anyone knows if these machines support IDE LBA48 so that I could throw a large IDE HDD in it.

Yes, it will support any IDE drive that you can give it, provided your system BIOS is updated. I have downloaded the latest BIOS ISO update disk (burn to disk, boot, flash from burned disk) if someone has a place for me to upload it, PM me. It's under 2.0MB. Ahh, the benefits of being a registered partner!

[svet-am]

Yes, it will support any IDE drive that you can give it, provided your system BIOS is updated. I have downloaded the latest BIOS ISO update disk (burn to disk, boot, flash from burned disk) if someone has a place for me to upload it, PM me. It's under 2.0MB. Ahh, the benefits of being a registered partner!

Which BIOS version are you showing as the latest?

[sabregen]

Version 1.36 - Build M1E136A

Also, just so that everyone is aware, I see mention in some of the papers saying the only purchasable options for IDE drives on the e325 is up to 120GB for IDE. Forum users report configs with 500GB drives, currently, with latest BIOS updates.

note: I'm absolving myself of responsibility if a drive over 120GB doesn't work. I just thought I'd let you guys know, since I have access to this stuff, what is being reported, from both ends of it.

[svet-am]

Version 1.36 - Build M1E136A

Also, just so that everyone is aware, I see mention in some of the papers saying the only purchasable options for IDE drives on the e325 is up to 120GB for IDE. Forum users report configs with 500GB drives, currently, with latest BIOS updates.

note: I'm absolving myself of responsibility if a drive over 120GB doesn't work. I just thought I'd let you guys know, since I have access to this stuff, what is being reported, from both ends of it.

Cool, so that's the same one they have available publicly. I'll make flashing that my first order of business when it arrives.

[Ockie]

Guys, you'll have to call IBM Boulder Parts to get rails for these, as they have been EOL'd (the e series...the whole line). IBM Boulder parts can be reached at:

1-800-388-7080

I don't know if you'll need a Customer # and Location ID # though. We are an IBM Partner, and reseller. I will be taking my IBM System X (which covers the eseries) test next Friday. Hope it helps. If they ask, you found the number with the machine documentation :D

How much are the rails to buy or does IBM provide them for free?

[sabregen]

Cool, so that's the same one they have available publicly. I'll make flashing that my first order of business when it arrives.

Good deal. Sometimes the publicly available one isn't the same (from experience). Glad that got confirmed. Guess I won't have to find a host for the ISO afterall!

[sabregen]

How much are the rails to buy or does IBM provide them for free?

Doesn't sound like you've dealt with IBM much before :D "Nothing in this world is free" Sound familiar? I'm not sure what the price is on the rails directly from Boulder parts. You'd have to give them a call. I'd do it, but my price wouldn't be yours (usually), so the information would not be relevant. I suppose you could also try the favorite source for people in need of things no longer produced....ebay

[lopoetve]

anyone have one they want to sell?

[codegrinder]

i might sell mine, send me a pm with a price your looking at.

[Ockie]

Doesn't sound like you've dealt with IBM much before :D "Nothing in this world is free" Sound familiar? I'm not sure what the price is on the rails directly from Boulder parts. You'd have to give them a call. I'd do it, but my price wouldn't be yours (usually), so the information would not be relevant. I suppose you could also try the favorite source for people in need of things no longer produced....ebay

I deal with IBM but usually the servers I get includes rails.. I never have to hunt them down. Ebay comes up hopeless, at least the last few times I checked.

EDIT: Just found a pile.

[svet-am]

I just got my 325 in the mail yesterday (8355-61X). And I noticed a glaring oversight on my part -- I don't see any power rails for IDE hard disks. I know IBM sold some models of the 326 with IDE drives. Anyone know where they tap power for them? Right now it looks like I might need to mode the SCSI power cable, which I really don't want to do.

edit:
It looks like (from the datasheet) that FRU 24P0865 is what I need but I don't have any pictures of it.

edit2:
anyone have a picture of that FRU (24P0865) so that I can make sure it's the correct part?

[fibroptikl]

Darn - I missed out on this.