Using B1000 workstation as file server?

[Bert Kamps]

Hello,

Because our old HP 9000 D230 server is too slow, i wanna use a B1000 workstation as file server.

We're gonna run samba on it and some nfs exports.

Is there some kind of connection limitation with the 'server' version of hpux?
Is there even a difference between the 'server' version and a normal workstation hpux?

Can i also buy a 40 gig scsi disc and place it in the B1000 or can i only use specific discs?

Is there a page where i can find (price)information about a 1 gig nic for the B1000?

Thanks in advance,

Bert Kamps

[Sanjay_6 · Accepted solution]

Hi Bert,

Try

http://partsurfer.hp.com

Hope this helps.

Regds

[Patrick Wallek]

If you are running HP-UX 11.0, then there is no difference between the workstation and server versions of HP-UX. If you are running 11i, then the default OE for a B would be the Technical Computing OE, but that shouldn't matter for what you want to do.

The B1000 should perform pretty well for what you want to do, provided you don't overload it with users.

[John Bolene]

The only difference I know between workstation and server is that server can normally hold more I/O devices and workstation can use a graphics card.

For file server use, there should not be much difference if you don't need the extra disks that a server can use.

I use a C110 for a small departmental file server (up to 10 NFS users).

[Bert Kamps]

aah that's good news. We were having performance problems with our old D230 with autoraid.

We're running now hpux 10.20, but we will upgrade to 11 soon.

Can i also use my maxtor 40 gigabyte ide disc in the B1000? For testing ofcourse, if we find the speed improvement ok, then we'll order a 40 gb scsi disc.

I looked at http://partsurfer.hp.com but couldn't find any nics on the site...

[Bert Kamps]

Sorry, there are nics on that site. I will check the modelnr etc of the b1000 when i'm back at work :)
Does anyone have experience with a gigabit nic with a b1000?

[Patrick Wallek]

If I remember correctly, IDE is only supported for the CD-ROMs on those machines. You can't use an IDE disk drive.

[Bert Kamps]

Hmm well then bad luck. We're gonna just buy a 40 gig scsi disc, the old server is just too slow. So we're gonna have to use another server.
Can i use any scsi disc, or will the b1000 only support the ones that are on that part page? Or will any sca disc do?

[John Bolene]

Have you checked this document on the b1000?

It could be of help.

http://www.hp.com/workstations/support/documentation/manuals/user_guides/hp_ux/a5992-90001.pdf

[Bert Kamps]

Thanx for the document. I read it and it says that it supports Scsi Ultra Wide LVD Differential. So i'm gonna find a disc like that one, with 40 gig :)
I saw a 36 gig seagate on the part, i will check it out.

[Bert Kamps]

I read this in the document:
Only SCSI cables approved by HP can be used to connect your
workstation to any SCSI devices.

Are they just saying this to make a couple of bucks, or does hp make some kind of special cable?

[John Bolene]

I can't comment about the HP cables. Did you not get sufficient cables with the machine?

Most of my experience is on the C110 and all applicable cables came with them to add future drives.