Recommend me a tower server?

[TonyRPH]

I only usually deal with rack mount stuff in my current role.

However, I have been tasked with providing a partner company a small server, something that is quiet - like an HP ML110 or similar.

Ideally this server needs to run ESXi, and will need 32GB max.

I plan on fitting a VMWare supported RAID controller (something from the LSI range) - unless I can get a server with a supported RAID built in.

All this server will be running is a basic file server (might be Linux, unsure as yet), a firewall, and an email server (again, Linux).

There will be no more than 5 - 6 users connected to it at any one time. I have considered NAS devices form Synology etc. but a server seems to be the best way forward.

Any recommendations? I have no preference - either Dell or HP (or IBM / Lenovo).

Budget is around the £1k mark - excluding disks and RAID controller.

TIA.

[bitchstewie]

Tbh toss a coin at that price range IMO - main thing is get something with rPSUs and as you've identified a proper hardware RAID controller.

Dell T320 is decent as we have one at a ROBO - presume it's now a T630.

Really can't stress enough get a proper RAID controller

[Pieman68]

When I used to deal with more small businesses than I currently do, I used to supply quite a large number of Fujitsu Primergy TX100 towers for that sort of environment. They used to do a bundled one with 8Gb RAM and a coupe of 500Gb drives, with onboard RAID so that you could mirror

Current range would be the Fujitsu PRIMERGY TX1310 M1 - Xeon E3-1226v3 with 8Gb RAM and 2 x 1Tb drives. Does RAID 0,1 or 10, has 2 x G'bit ports and a DVD supermulti. Not bad value as can see them online from £550

[buggalugs]

You can get am ML310e gen8 + 32GB RAM for under 1K. Has iLO which is nice. They come with a 1TB drive and 3 empty caddies so you can please yourself with the drives, or buy the £££ HP ones. I always fancied trying a few of those hybrid SSHDD's in one.

[WinstonWolf]

HP Microserver with SSD? Mine runs SBS2011 quite happily but definitely needed the SSD to allow it to thrive

[TonyRPH]

Thanks guys, it's looking like the HP 310 is the most likely candidate.

The Fujitsu TX1310 looks to be good value, but there appears to be some uncertainty about VMWare compatibility.