Hey everyone, my company is on the hunt for some budget-friendly physical servers for a backup solution. We got quotes from Dell that came in pretty steep, around $14,000-$40,000, which included Microsoft Server and CALs. They suggested models like the PowerEdge 760 and 660. We're hoping to find alternatives that can keep us closer to the $5,000 range. We'd like to focus on affordable server options; storage isn't an issue since we can manage that ourselves. Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated!
5 Answers
Synology could fit within your budget, but keep in mind they run on their own backup software. If you’re planning to use Veeam, you might want to stick with lower-end boxes or look for used hardware around the $5K mark.
You might want to consider buying refurbished R740 or R750 units from eBay. I've seen people getting two servers for less than the cost of one new server. It's a smart way to have backups without breaking the bank.
When it comes to performance for backup servers, you don’t need a powerhouse; just enough resources to run an OS and some redundancy is key. I'd lean towards picking up some refurbished Lenovo SR530, SR630, or SR650 models—they're reliable. It’s possible to get two of these for under your $5,000 budget if you're willing to run Linux, too, which could save you even more.
Have you looked at Supermicro? I got hardware to host Veeam BDR for about $5-7K, which included drives. It's solid in terms of performance, especially their 520P-ACTR12H with X125PI-TF motherboard. I found mine through Equusc Computers or Servers Direct. Definitely worth considering!
It sounds like you need to clarify some of your requirements first. How much storage do you actually need? What are your IOPS or throughput needs? Also, what backup software are you planning to use? Just throwing it out there, if you're unsure about these things, it could be tricky to build an effective backup solution.
On the high end of things, I’d recommend a Rubrik box but be prepared for some serious sticker shock. I’ve had great experiences building out large-scale solutions using Dell equipment and enclosures as well. Just figure out what your needs are and your team's capabilities, and you should be able to narrow it down!
I get where you're coming from, but this is more about sticking to a budget than qualifications.
I did that with HP Gen10 Proliant servers, and they’ve been running flawlessly—I even have spare parts on hand!