Server SSD replacement - which drive is the OS on?

[batistuta]

I am thinking of replacing my 2009 Mini (2GHz, 4GB RAM, 9400m graphics and 64GB SSD!) with a new Mini Server, even if installing OSX client on it looks like a pain (and I need Bootcamp).

Now from the teardown here http://www.macminicolo.net/macmini2010.html
it looks relatively easy to get to the first harddrive, but is it the one with the Server OS on?
I will surely swap one drive for a SSD, if not both, as I want it to be as quiet as my current Mini, and probably a 7200rpm is not acceptable, unless the second drive can be kept spun-down except when used for backups?

 

[analogkid]

You don't need client for bootcamp, I run it on my Mini Server. I use one drive for Windows and one for OSX. The machine is very quiet.

 

[batistuta]

Interesting. Did you configure the full second drive to Windows or just a part of it?
So the server Mini with two 7200rpm drives is very quiet? Have you had any other Minis to compare to?
I will not go back to mechanical drives, at least not for OSX system drive, so I would like to know if the OSX server is on the drive closest to the bottom of the Mini Server or the top one (which is quite a bit more difficult to get to) ?

 

[analogkid]

yes, I just gave each drive a full partition since I'm about balanced between my use. I have not compared it to past mini's, but even in my studio it seems silent enough for recording, though I don't have it exposed to the mics. I too would like ssd's, but I'll wait until next year, maybe put the windows drive in an external case and raid the internal pair for osx. If you find the answer to your query, let us know.

 

[shoebobs]

I have the 2010 Mini Server and when I select each drive in Disk Utility, at the bottom there is info on the drive. One of the attributes is "Connection ID;" one drive has "Lower" for the value and the other has "Upper." I can't confirm if the Connection ID attribute refers to the Upper/Lower physical configuration within the box, but I am going to assume that is the case. Currently, my OS is on the drive with the Connection ID of "Lower."

However, If you are getting a brand new mini server, why does it matter which drive the OS is on? Can't you just replace the bottom one with the SSD, boot from the disc (with USB drive or Remote OS X install utility) and choose to install the OS on the SSD during the install? If the upper drive does in fact have the OS, you can just use Disk Utility to erase it and free up that space.

By the way, in terms of sound mine is very very quiet. Can't hear it unless I put my ear up close to it.

 

[batistuta]

However, If you are getting a brand new mini server, why does it matter which drive the OS is on? Can't you just replace the bottom one with the SSD, boot from the disc (with USB drive or Remote OS X install utility) and choose to install the OS on the SSD during the install? If the upper drive does in fact have the OS, you can just use Disk Utility to erase it and free up that space.

Yes, I could do exactly that if I went with OSX Server on one drive (SSD) and Windows on the other. Installing OSX Client is a whole different matter. And for doing that, the info of which drive the OS is in could prove helpful.
In principle I would like to go with the normal Mini, the price difference to the server version is just quite small, and thus tempting.
(here in Denmark the base Mini is 1080$ US!!!)

 

[Baby Mac]

(here in Denmark the base Mini is 1080$ US!!!)

It would be nice if you could find an American that would not mind sending you a Mac mini for a small finders fee. Just don't use a Nigerian prince who's the recent heir to a small fortune and needs to leave his money in your bank account for a short term.

 

[batistuta]

It would be nice if you could find an American that would not mind sending you a Mac mini for a small finders fee. Just don't use a Nigerian prince who's the recent heir to a small fortune and needs to leave his money in your bank account for a short term.

I have relatives in the US, the problem is that the Danish customs are rather efficient at picking out the parcels, so I would end up paying tax and vat on the US price, which would probably make it too expensive, also with the warranty issues and lower resell price without a Danish receipt.
I could fly there and buy one and hope airport customs doesnt notice since a Mini is worth slightly more than the taxfree import limit (a little less than 600$)