Honor systems

This round of four Pentium II workgroup server tests marks a first for any Network World review: Two contenders scored well enough to win our World Class Award. Sharing World Class honors are Compaq's ProLiant 1600 and IBM's Netfinity 5000.

However, that's no knock against the other two contenders. Toshiba's Magnia 3000 and Crystal Group's CS900 also proved to be solid performers. The main differences between all the units were in features, serviceability and price.

The ProLiant was a standout in terms of value, as well as of performance, especially in our file server tests. The Netfinity proved easy to service and troubleshoot, while likewise delivering good performance. As we did in our last round of server tests (NW, Oct. 19, page 85), we judged performance on a relative basis. The top server in each roundup received a 10, and the others were rated relative to its performance.

Compaq ProLiant 1600

The ProLiant took the top spot in the Web and file tests by a wide margin, thanks to its extremely efficient SCSI controller and network interface card (NIC) drivers, and scored second best in the SQL test. At $7,661, it was also the least expensive of all the servers tested.

The ProLiant's case design allows you to disassemble the server into several large modules that can be further disassembled if necessary. This type of design affords plenty of room to work on hard-to-reach components. The NICs are held in place with a flip-tab restraint instead of screws, which makes service easier.

The server's management features are similar to those of Compaq's high-end servers. Compaq Insight Manager integrates with many management platforms, including HP OpenView, Sun NetManager and Tivoli TME 10 Netview, and provides early detection of possible hardware failure. An Automatic Server Recovery feature gives the server the ability to reboot itself when necessary according to conditions configured by an administrator.

IBM Netfinity 5000

The IBM Netfinity 5000 tied for the top spot in the review as a result of its fantastic serviceability features. It came in a close third in overall performance.

Netfinity takes serviceability to a new level. The case uses a toolless design - it has no screws at all. Everything comes apart with levers, making the unit very easy to disassemble and reassemble.

The server uses strategically placed LEDs on the motherboard to mark failed dual in-line memory modules, CPUs, fans and other components. This light path diagnostic feature could save a lot of time in troubleshooting bad components.

The Netfinity also includes an Advanced Remote Management Processor (ARMP) on the motherboard to monitor the CPUs, fans, hard drives, temperature, voltages and memory. The ARMP can send alerts via an external modem or over the LAN. It also controls the light path diagnostic LEDs.

The bundled Netfinity Manager software works with the ARMP to deliver data to any SNMP-compliant enterprise manager. In addition to Netfinity Manager, the server comes with Lotus Domino and a CD-ROM that holds an installation aid, documentation, drivers and American Power Conversion (APC) Powerchute+ software to control an APC uninterruptible power supply.

Toshiba's Magnia 3000

The Magnia 3000 from Toshiba came in third in overall score but placed second in performance. It also took second place in the file and Web tests and rated third in the SQL test. It's reasonably priced at $8,605, or about $1,000 more than the Compaq ProLiant 1600.

The Magnia 3000 has a nicely designed case with a split bezel that allows you to lock the case and drives or restrict access to the unit as a whole, including the reset button and the CD-ROM and diskette drives. The hot-swappable disk carriers are well-designed and easy to use, allowing the smooth removal and insertion of the drives. The case offers easy access to all the components and includes two redundant, hot-swappable, load-balancing power supplies. While you don't need tools to open the case, you do need some to remove the fans and a few other components. The Magnia's design is not quite as sophisticated as that of the IBM and Compaq servers.

Our unit came with an optional RAID controller in one of the PCI slots, which likely helped boost the product's performance score. But the fact that it used a 400-MHz CPU, while the other three servers ran at 450 MHz, probably lowered its performance at the same time, especially in our SQL tests.

The Magnia 3000 comes with Intel LANDesk Server Manager, with modifications to monitor the system board, CPUs, voltages, fans, error checking and correcting memory errors, temperature, hard disks and power supplies. An Emergency Management Port (EMP) is provided to remotely power on and off and reset the server. The EMP can also be used to dial out to alert the administrator to problems.

Crystal Group's CS900

Crystal Group's CS900 came in last on our Score Card and last in overall performance, though it did earn first place in our SQL tests. That factor indicates it's a good performer in terms of CPU power but lacks robust file subsystem performance.

The CS900 is compact and features an industrial-grade design. It's different from the other servers in this test in that it is designed to be kept relatively small and rack-mounted; 16 CS900s can fit in a single rack. This design makes it a good candidate for wiring hubs.

Redundancy is virtually nonexistent because the vendor believes in redundant servers, not redundant components within a single server. That philosophy would be easier to accept with a more attractive price - at more than $17,000, the CS900 was the most expensive server in the review.

There are no hot-swappable disk bays in the CS900. A separate product is available from Crystal Group to integrate swappable disks. A cable management scheme is also available to handle the interconnect cables between the units in a rack.

The CS900 is difficult to service. You have to remove 12 screws to open the case. However, all components except for the power supply and disks are on a single card, making it easy to swap in a new card and virtually replace the machine.

An alert system included with the server allows you to monitor the CPU, temperature, fan speed and voltages. With an optional SNMP add-on, the unit can be managed from any SNMP management platform.
RELATED LINKS Performance and price table
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Scorecard and test results
Excel 5.0 spreadsheet with our key findings.

Review: Xeon-based servers
We take several out for a spin. Network World, 10/19/98.