Setting up a new computer
camgfs
Posts: 968 ✭
Some of you might already know that I am a Gandpa and I attend college (starting 2nd year in computer programming). In order to keep up with technology, I have upgraded to a new (super) computer. My plan is to install Windows Server 2008 R2 as the primary OS with the HyperV role added. I will create the first Virtual Machine as a Windows 7 computer and run it as that. I also plan to create other Virtual Machines for SQL Server, Exchange Server and such.
So, if your still reading this and haven't fallen asleep yet.........
I would like to find out if there are any major pitfalls to this idea before I dive in too deep.
Stats on the new system:
Any help would be greatly appreciated. I know I didn't get to any specific questions yet, but I'm sure I will have many questions before I get this up and running.
So, if your still reading this and haven't fallen asleep yet.........
- Has anyone done a set-up like this? Any Virtual Machine gurus out there willing to share advice/experience?
- Anyone familiar with the HyperV role or Windows Server?
I would like to find out if there are any major pitfalls to this idea before I dive in too deep.
Stats on the new system:
- I7 2600 with turbo boost
- 16 Gigs of DDR3 RAM
- Currently Windows 7 Pro
- 2 TB Hard Drive Nvidea 560 GTX TI vid card @ 1.25 Gigs DDR5 RAM
Any help would be greatly appreciated. I know I didn't get to any specific questions yet, but I'm sure I will have many questions before I get this up and running.
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Comments
I used to run Hyper V and I had my VMs on a 3 Drive Raid 5 array and it was still a little slow. And that was with 8GB memory and a dual quad core xeon setup. I could have added up to 8 drives but I couldn't afford it at the time. I still have that server but I haven't brought it over to my house from my parents. I NEED to get on that!
First, what is your goal for this computer? What will it be used for? That's the first question I always ask.
12 gigs of ram is a bit overkill btw. I also need to know what type of motherboard you will be using? Some if not most MB have some "issues" with using all of the dims on the board. Meaning that it can cause stability issues, slower performance and such. Sounds crazy but it exists. Also the ram you are wanting to use is it duel or triple channel?
But first I need to know what the purpose of this guy will be. Then we can go from there.
It will serve 2 roles
The first and foremost is to help me with my college courses. More specifically, a server (Windows server 2008 R2) with the Hyper V Role installed. From there, I will use Virtial Machines to run a server as a domain controller and another one as a SQL Server running SQL Server 2008 R2. I will have client machines running Win7, Win XP, Vista and at least 2 Linux boxes, most likely Ubuntu and Ubuntu Server.
These are all part of my college course, and this setup will give me a working environment in my own home instead of spending my weekends at the college to complete assignments.
The second role of this computer is for the regular Windows 7 things, like gaming, email, surfing and Office stuff, but I am also a web designer and I regularly convert video in VHS format to current video formats including flash animation for clients.
In short I need it for:
I'm sure I've left out something, but my brain is mush right now....need a cigar maybe?
So what do I have set up right now? I have Windows 7 on the first Hard Drive (2TB) and Server 2008 R2 on the second Hard Drive (also 2TB). I have to install drivers for the network card and video card on the Server system.
This gives me a dual boot option so I can choose at boot time if I am working on school stuff (server) or regular stuff (Win 7)
I hope that explains why I went so big on RAM (DDR3) and hard drive space.
As far as overkill goes, I say bah. Memory is so inexpensive these days that 16GB really isn't a big deal price wise, and even on my paltry (in comparison) machine, I've used up all 8GB of available memory at times, so I say the more the merrier. I like the i7. Quad core is going to do you good, and hyper threading will do you even better, especially when using VMs. I like what you've done here. Looks like you went for the bang for your buck parts instead of purchasing items far more expensive than their performance warrants. I'd say get a raid 1 going (or 10, 5, 6) for performance and redundancy, and you should be in tip top shape.
I loaded Hyper V in Server 2008 R2 this morning. With the Hyper V Role, you don't need any other VM software....it has a VM Manager built-in that you can use to build and manage all of your VM's, AND it is 'hardware aware', so it runs at hardware level instead of emmulation or 'simulated' hardware. This means it should be able to use your video card (and I had that working until installing the Hyper V role, now it does not detect my vid card and I haven't even created ANY Virtual Machines....AARRRRGGGG!). The nice thing about Hyper V is that if it works, it will not be anywhere near as hard on resources as other virtual machine software because it creates less layers for the info to pass through. That's the plan anyway, if I can get it running properly.
And 12 gigs isn't over the top, just people rarely use it. Video encoding is really where they will be pushed. The 2600k's are good chips and great for overclocking if your into that. I have 12 gigs on my rig and I only see them being used heavily during encoding. Even on Crysis on maxed settings doesn't touch maxing them out.
I did run into the "top end video card" issue with Hyper V. It doesn't like my card, but I didn't have SP1 installed on my Server R2, so I hope this will address the issue. If not, it had better address the issue of Hyper V not allowing me to run / start a virtual machine!!!. I tested the hardware, read everything I could find about bios settings and everything checks out, but the darn VM's won't start! I can load / build VM's in vmware player/workstation and Micro$oft VM software, but NOT in Hyper V, which is really a pain since that's what I need/want it to work in.
I am open to any suggestions on how to get it running, if SP1 does not fix it for me.
I am posting this from my server....as I build a VM of Windows 7 in full screen, using my Vid card on low settings and dual monitors!
It seems that Service Pack 1 and a few other updates were needed to resolve the VM start failures and lowering the settings on the Video card works well enough to have it do basic video that is still way better than VGA. My VM is still building/installing the OS, but at least it's gotten that far, whoohoo!!
I guess my excitement might seem trivial to some, but until last year I never even heard of "Virtual Machines" and had never seen a "Server", so I fell pretty dang proud of myself for getting this far. To celebrate this mind numbing event, I just had to smoke an H. Upman Magnum 50 from 2008. It's a good day!
"Long ashes my friends."
Don't have all the exact specs memorized, and I'm on the road right now...
Lots of RAM, smoking video card. Boot drive is a 120Gb Intel SSD. Currently have about 6T of additional drive space installed. Win 7 Ultimate, 64 bit.
Oh, and it's connected to my 55" Samsung LED for a monitor.