xserve or other server advice

[mmcxiiad]

our small company is looking to get a server. we run the company out of our home and have 4 local computers and 2 that will connect accross the internet. I don't have a network rack though i have room for small on or for towers to use as a server.

if money wasn't an option i would get an intel xserve with 2+ xserver raids (mirrored). ahhh to dream.

since that isn't an option. i am exploring other options. based on funds, i can either do one of the following:

1. used powermac g5 install server.

2. used xserve g4 (prob around a dual 1ghz)

3. used xserve cluster node as the server.
(i am not even sure that this is posible, i know that a cluster has no vga card (i feel comfortable doing a network install) or optical drive (i have an external one i can use)

(i already have 10.4 server)

we will be using the server for the following:
file/print sharing
maybe email
vpn
network based home directories
antivirus server

when leopard is released:
calendar / address book server
wiki server
spotlight server

I am going to be getting somekind of NAS or xraid - but that can be anothe conversation.

my questions are:

based on my use and these three options, which is the best option for the money?

can a cluster node be used a a server?

does anyone have any insight for a better solution or something else i should keep in mind?

thanks in advance

 

[FFTT]

I'm sure somebody here knows all the right answers, but it may be a good idea to talk to Apple's business system reps anyway.

The new Intel based XServes are supposed to be out around October.
Once they are released, you'll see drastic price reductions on the G5's

There are guys here running mini's as servers, so you definitely haved some options.

I wish I could be more helpful.

 

[mmcxiiad]

i would love to get one of the new intel xserve, unfortunitly, that has a $2500 bass price abnd by the time you add ram and extra drives you are hitting $3000 easy. the 3 other systems that i mentioned above can be easily aquired used for under a grand.

the only issue i have with calling apple business reps is they are going to say that anything but a new system is a bad idea. and roghtfully so as they are prob on commission to sell this stuff.

i thought anout using a mini, although i fear that it might not suite my needs especcially if i choose to add on an xraid in the future.

 

[FFTT]

A 2.3 GHz G5 Tower would turn out to be a great server.

The 2.3 GHz chip came from the server lines.

If you want a reasonable price with some respectable power, this might do.

 

[mmcxiiad]

thanks for your insight. i am still curious if a cluster node can be used as a regular server. i have seen many dual 2.0ghz g5 cluster nodes sell, in used but excelent condition, for under a $1000. That is about my budget for our server.

I think that the 2.3ghz g5 might be too expensive. i know that going the used route is certainly not what apple would consider best practice (nor do i think that they would ever say that a mini would be a good server - but that doesn't mean that it using it won't work just that you are taking a risk) but for now this is what we can afford for a server. i am also having to consider that i am going to be spending a fair amount of money on either an xraid or NAS (which i am not going to be buying used so it will cost a lot more money).