[Hcoop-discuss] Next hardware configuration/Email service

[Justin S. Leitgeb]

The high cost that I estimated for setting up multiple servers was 
really what motivated me to ask about co-location before hardware or 
specific configuration details.  I couldn't imagine the co-op coming up 
with more than what would be needed for a single, solid 1U server.  
Specifically I was thinking that we could build up from something like a 
Dell Poweredge 1850, which is 1U and would set us back at least $3000 
per unit with any kind of hardware RAID (this would give us RAID 1 with 
2 300 GB disks, but only 1 CPU).

Although I think it would be great if hcoop could buy a rack full of 
servers within the next year, I don't think that this is necessary, or 
even the best way to grow, at least financially.  We should be able to 
move in a positive direction one server at a time for now.  We can start 
by putting services on other boxes as we have resources to do so.  With 
one 1850 I was thinking that we could do something like moving mail 
(IMAP and sendmail) off of fyodor onto the new server.  Services like 
IMAP shouldn't be on shared servers anyway, so this would be a healthy 
move both for hcoop members who use email and those who don't rely on it 
so much.  The cost for a configuration like this could be offset by 
opening up hcoop services to a new population.  Searching the web for a 
minute I didn't find any co-operative email providers, and I think that 
this would be a great thing for individuals interested in more 
socially-conscious alternatives to gmail.  We could use IMAP, 
squirrelmail, and a few small custom programs to open up email services 
to non-technical users for a small fee.

Looking forward to feedback!

Justin





ntk at hcoop.net wrote:

>>>Why do you think that we can't set multiple servers up at once?
>>>
>>>      
>>>
>>I just thought that it would be too costly.  If we can afford to have a
>>more robust setup from the start, I'm all for it.
>>    
>>
>
>I think if we're setting a target of about a year to have a new setup up
>and running, it is realistic to have enough money to do it all in a go. 
>Besides existing resources and setting dues above costs to save money for
>the coop, another possibility is that members who are able can loan the
>coop money by putting in a big balances, of say a few hundred dollars.
>  
>