I'm currently getting server quotes from HPE through our hardware vendor, and I'm finding it more frustrating than ever. In the past, we could easily get a server configured to our specific needs, but now it seems like we're being pushed towards prebuilt options. I'm looking to upgrade our hardware, such as adding more RAM, switching from HDDs to SSDs for our web and enterprise servers, and going with dual-CPU solutions for the enterprise server. However, I'm running into major issues with our file server.
We traditionally use 15K RPM drives in a RAID 1+0 configuration, but those drives seem to be off the table now. The rep is pushing higher-capacity SSDs that come at a staggering price of $22,000 just for the drives! The only alternative they've offered is ordering 15K drives as "spare parts," which worryingly don't come with the same support as our current drives. When I asked the rep why we shouldn't just go with SSDs, they suggested changing the RAID configuration, implying we should sacrifice performance for extra storage space. What happened to the customizable options where servers were built according to our needs?
3 Answers
Spinning drives are becoming obsolete, mostly used now for bulk storage when speed isn't critical. If you’re only looking for one server, negotiating a good discount might be tough. Buying in bulk usually gives better deals and more flexibility. Have you considered looking at a batch order instead?
About your concern with RAID and SSDs: switching to SSD can actually boost performance significantly, giving you better IOPS and faster seek times. You might want to look into NVMe drives as they could save you some cash compared to standard SSDs. Have you checked those out yet?
But isn't moving from RAID 1+0 to RAID 5 a big performance drop? I thought RAID 1+0 is crucial for a busy file server!
15K RPM drives are pretty much phased out, and yes, HPE can be quite pushy with their sales tactics. It's frustrating when they push you toward options that are clearly more expensive without fully addressing your specific needs.
It seems odd to me, though. Historically, HPE has worked well for us, and seemed reliable! Are they really trying to mislead customers, or do they have some agenda with these pricing strategies?
I hadn't thought about that! Buying a batch could help us get a better deal for sure.