Re: motherboard recommendations?

Jason White <jasonjgw@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> writes:
I'm choosing a suitable motherboard for a personal Linux workstation, with an
emphasis on high reliability/stability, including ECC RAM, proper system
monitoring, etc. For several reasons, I also want serial console redirect or
IPMI SOL (Serial over LAN) support.

I don't need excessive amounts of CPU performance (1 dual-core CPU would
suffice), but I'm really looking for that "enterprise-class" reliability. The
OS will be Debian GNU/Linux; a RAID drive configuration is planned.
Low-latency matters for audio work (no IRQ problems with PCI card(s) as in
my current machine). Binary kernel modules are definitely out so far as I'm
concerned, and the machine will never be running that other OS.

I'm considering some of the Opteron 1000 and 2000 boards from Tyan and
Supermicro. If I bought a 2000-series board I would only populate it with one
CPU, at least for now. I am also open to other manufacturers.

AFAIK Supermicro only does boards for Intel Processors.

Buying an Opteron 2000 board will cost you a lot more for the board, a
lot more for the RAM (registered instead of unregistered), and more
for the CPU. I would not do that if you don't need the additional
features (e.g., more than 8GB RAM).

Suggestions/Recommendations within the above constraints are welcome; warnings
(what not to buy) would also help.

We have several Tyan boards, and are happy with them: A S2892 Thunder
K8SE (2 socket-940), two S2865 Tomcat K8E (one socket-939), two S2882
Thunder K8S Pro (2 socket-940). You would go for Socket AM2 or Socket
F, and I have no experience there. I notice that I don't see mention
of serial console redirect on the Tyan website for most of the current
boards.

- anton
--
M. Anton Ertl Some things have to be seen to be believed
anton@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Most things have to be believed to be seen
http://www.complang.tuwien.ac.at/anton/home.html
.

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