Ideas for how to use new, free gear from HPE?
-
@Shuey said in Ideas for how to use new, free gear from HPE?:
Our two existing VMware hosts are a DL360e Gen8 (hosted at "site 1") and a DL360 G7 (hosted at "site 2"). Each server has 192GB of RAM, and each has one MSA60 DAS for the guest VM storage (12-bays: 10 @ 1TB 10K SAS drives, RAID10, two drives as spares). Site 1 hosts 20 guests and site 2 hosts 5 guests (so far anyway - we plan to add more guests to each host in the future).
Better density than I thought, and not ancient equipment.
Your current DAS could be re-purposed as storage with the blade system. You will need a riser card to get a SAS connector. They got a blade interface for Infiniband, but not one for SAS. You will need to talk to the rep to get the right part. Otherwise, pick up a SAN with a fibre interface, lucky for you they are universal. I mix and match stuff all the time.
Move the 360e over to site two as a backup host, or even a primary host. Use the blades as your new site one infrastructure. Or consolidate down to the single site and have site two come back to get data. But you will have a fallback host just in case one dies or needs to be worked on. Although you will still be SPOF with storage.
But, all that said, I see plenty of big problems. Power requirements will eat you alive on that. You will need to get some different plugs to even plug it in. You will need to figure out if your rack will even vent the heat out of that thing.
You might be buying into a very large infrastructure expenditure without any way to use it. Even if it's free.
-
@PSX_Defector said in Ideas for how to use new, free gear from HPE?:
@jmaurelli said in Ideas for how to use new, free gear from HPE?:
I am not keen on putting that hardware in the production environment whatsoever! What happens if you lose you job? Or you find another? I say the new equipment is for training purposes. You also make it known somehow that the equipment belongs to you and are only "licensing" to your employer. It's a win-win. They host in their server room, you train, they reap the benefits of your experience.
Are you really that insecure with new equipment?
No, his point was not to donate $60K of his personal hardware to the business for the business to use. If he loses his job, the job would expect to keep the $60K donation.
-
I'm with the "set up a home lab" crowd here. It's your gear, not the businesses. Build a nice virtual lab at home.
-
@scottalanmiller said:
@PSX_Defector said in Ideas for how to use new, free gear from HPE?:
@jmaurelli said in Ideas for how to use new, free gear from HPE?:
I am not keen on putting that hardware in the production environment whatsoever! What happens if you lose you job? Or you find another? I say the new equipment is for training purposes. You also make it known somehow that the equipment belongs to you and are only "licensing" to your employer. It's a win-win. They host in their server room, you train, they reap the benefits of your experience.
Are you really that insecure with new equipment?
No, his point was not to donate $60K of his personal hardware to the business for the business to use. If he loses his job, the job would expect to keep the $60K donation.
Unfortunately, and I still haven't found out the rules and restrictions from SpiceWorks and HPE, there's a strong chance that this equipment HAS to go to the company that I work for.
-
@Shuey said in Ideas for how to use new, free gear from HPE?:
@scottalanmiller said:
@PSX_Defector said in Ideas for how to use new, free gear from HPE?:
@jmaurelli said in Ideas for how to use new, free gear from HPE?:
I am not keen on putting that hardware in the production environment whatsoever! What happens if you lose you job? Or you find another? I say the new equipment is for training purposes. You also make it known somehow that the equipment belongs to you and are only "licensing" to your employer. It's a win-win. They host in their server room, you train, they reap the benefits of your experience.
Are you really that insecure with new equipment?
No, his point was not to donate $60K of his personal hardware to the business for the business to use. If he loses his job, the job would expect to keep the $60K donation.
Unfortunately, and I still haven't found out the rules and restrictions from SpiceWorks and HPE, there's a strong chance that this equipment HAS to go to the company that I work for.
Oh, what if you didn't work for one? What would have happened? What if you work for two?
-
@scottalanmiller said in Ideas for how to use new, free gear from HPE?:
I'm with the "set up a home lab" crowd here. It's your gear, not the businesses. Build a nice virtual lab at home.
Read my recent reply
-
@scottalanmiller said in Ideas for how to use new, free gear from HPE?:
@Shuey said in Ideas for how to use new, free gear from HPE?:
@scottalanmiller said:
@PSX_Defector said in Ideas for how to use new, free gear from HPE?:
@jmaurelli said in Ideas for how to use new, free gear from HPE?:
I am not keen on putting that hardware in the production environment whatsoever! What happens if you lose you job? Or you find another? I say the new equipment is for training purposes. You also make it known somehow that the equipment belongs to you and are only "licensing" to your employer. It's a win-win. They host in their server room, you train, they reap the benefits of your experience.
Are you really that insecure with new equipment?
No, his point was not to donate $60K of his personal hardware to the business for the business to use. If he loses his job, the job would expect to keep the $60K donation.
Unfortunately, and I still haven't found out the rules and restrictions from SpiceWorks and HPE, there's a strong chance that this equipment HAS to go to the company that I work for.
Oh, what if you didn't work for one? What would have happened? What if you work for two?
I hear ya, but I didn't make up the rules of the contest, lol. I only entered because I thought "Whether the equipment goes to me or the company I work for, who cares. $60,000 in "free" equipment is better than NO equipment
-
@Shuey said in Ideas for how to use new, free gear from HPE?:
@scottalanmiller said in Ideas for how to use new, free gear from HPE?:
@Shuey said in Ideas for how to use new, free gear from HPE?:
@scottalanmiller said:
@PSX_Defector said in Ideas for how to use new, free gear from HPE?:
@jmaurelli said in Ideas for how to use new, free gear from HPE?:
I am not keen on putting that hardware in the production environment whatsoever! What happens if you lose you job? Or you find another? I say the new equipment is for training purposes. You also make it known somehow that the equipment belongs to you and are only "licensing" to your employer. It's a win-win. They host in their server room, you train, they reap the benefits of your experience.
Are you really that insecure with new equipment?
No, his point was not to donate $60K of his personal hardware to the business for the business to use. If he loses his job, the job would expect to keep the $60K donation.
Unfortunately, and I still haven't found out the rules and restrictions from SpiceWorks and HPE, there's a strong chance that this equipment HAS to go to the company that I work for.
Oh, what if you didn't work for one? What would have happened? What if you work for two?
I hear ya, but I didn't make up the rules of the contest, lol. I only entered because I thought "Whether the equipment goes to me or the company I work for, who cares. $60,000 in "free" equipment is better than NO equipment
I'm just saying... how are the rules written that they cause this to work without creating a disaster? What if you are a contractor or self employed? Do you do ANY consulting yourself, ever? If so, that's a company that you work for.
-
@scottalanmiller said in Ideas for how to use new, free gear from HPE?:
@Shuey said in Ideas for how to use new, free gear from HPE?:
@scottalanmiller said in Ideas for how to use new, free gear from HPE?:
@Shuey said in Ideas for how to use new, free gear from HPE?:
@scottalanmiller said:
@PSX_Defector said in Ideas for how to use new, free gear from HPE?:
@jmaurelli said in Ideas for how to use new, free gear from HPE?:
I am not keen on putting that hardware in the production environment whatsoever! What happens if you lose you job? Or you find another? I say the new equipment is for training purposes. You also make it known somehow that the equipment belongs to you and are only "licensing" to your employer. It's a win-win. They host in their server room, you train, they reap the benefits of your experience.
Are you really that insecure with new equipment?
No, his point was not to donate $60K of his personal hardware to the business for the business to use. If he loses his job, the job would expect to keep the $60K donation.
Unfortunately, and I still haven't found out the rules and restrictions from SpiceWorks and HPE, there's a strong chance that this equipment HAS to go to the company that I work for.
Oh, what if you didn't work for one? What would have happened? What if you work for two?
I hear ya, but I didn't make up the rules of the contest, lol. I only entered because I thought "Whether the equipment goes to me or the company I work for, who cares. $60,000 in "free" equipment is better than NO equipment
I'm just saying... how are the rules written that they cause this to work without creating a disaster? What if you are a contractor or self employed? Do you do ANY consulting yourself, ever? If so, that's a company that you work for.
Again, I see where you're coming from, and I agree. But you know how rules can be sometimes (a lot of "gotchas"). I'm subject to THEIR TERMS, whether they make sense or not
-
@Shuey said in Ideas for how to use new, free gear from HPE?:
@scottalanmiller said in Ideas for how to use new, free gear from HPE?:
@Shuey said in Ideas for how to use new, free gear from HPE?:
@scottalanmiller said in Ideas for how to use new, free gear from HPE?:
@Shuey said in Ideas for how to use new, free gear from HPE?:
@scottalanmiller said:
@PSX_Defector said in Ideas for how to use new, free gear from HPE?:
@jmaurelli said in Ideas for how to use new, free gear from HPE?:
I am not keen on putting that hardware in the production environment whatsoever! What happens if you lose you job? Or you find another? I say the new equipment is for training purposes. You also make it known somehow that the equipment belongs to you and are only "licensing" to your employer. It's a win-win. They host in their server room, you train, they reap the benefits of your experience.
Are you really that insecure with new equipment?
No, his point was not to donate $60K of his personal hardware to the business for the business to use. If he loses his job, the job would expect to keep the $60K donation.
Unfortunately, and I still haven't found out the rules and restrictions from SpiceWorks and HPE, there's a strong chance that this equipment HAS to go to the company that I work for.
Oh, what if you didn't work for one? What would have happened? What if you work for two?
I hear ya, but I didn't make up the rules of the contest, lol. I only entered because I thought "Whether the equipment goes to me or the company I work for, who cares. $60,000 in "free" equipment is better than NO equipment
I'm just saying... how are the rules written that they cause this to work without creating a disaster? What if you are a contractor or self employed? Do you do ANY consulting yourself, ever? If so, that's a company that you work for.
Again, I see where you're coming from, and I agree. But you know how rules can be sometimes (a lot of "gotchas"). I'm subject to THEIR TERMS, whether they make sense or not
I KNOW, and that's why I'm pointing out how THEIR TERMS work, right? I'm saying, that by what you said their rules were, this is how it works. I'm not saying you aren't tied to their rules, I'm pointing out what their rules mean.
-
Whoa, new reply threading. That's different.
-
@scottalanmiller said in Ideas for how to use new, free gear from HPE?:
@Shuey said in Ideas for how to use new, free gear from HPE?:
@scottalanmiller said in Ideas for how to use new, free gear from HPE?:
@Shuey said in Ideas for how to use new, free gear from HPE?:
@scottalanmiller said in Ideas for how to use new, free gear from HPE?:
@Shuey said in Ideas for how to use new, free gear from HPE?:
@scottalanmiller said:
@PSX_Defector said in Ideas for how to use new, free gear from HPE?:
@jmaurelli said in Ideas for how to use new, free gear from HPE?:
I am not keen on putting that hardware in the production environment whatsoever! What happens if you lose you job? Or you find another? I say the new equipment is for training purposes. You also make it known somehow that the equipment belongs to you and are only "licensing" to your employer. It's a win-win. They host in their server room, you train, they reap the benefits of your experience.
Are you really that insecure with new equipment?
No, his point was not to donate $60K of his personal hardware to the business for the business to use. If he loses his job, the job would expect to keep the $60K donation.
Unfortunately, and I still haven't found out the rules and restrictions from SpiceWorks and HPE, there's a strong chance that this equipment HAS to go to the company that I work for.
Oh, what if you didn't work for one? What would have happened? What if you work for two?
I hear ya, but I didn't make up the rules of the contest, lol. I only entered because I thought "Whether the equipment goes to me or the company I work for, who cares. $60,000 in "free" equipment is better than NO equipment
I'm just saying... how are the rules written that they cause this to work without creating a disaster? What if you are a contractor or self employed? Do you do ANY consulting yourself, ever? If so, that's a company that you work for.
Again, I see where you're coming from, and I agree. But you know how rules can be sometimes (a lot of "gotchas"). I'm subject to THEIR TERMS, whether they make sense or not
I KNOW, and that's why I'm pointing out how THEIR TERMS work, right? I'm saying, that by what you said their rules were, this is how it works. I'm not saying you aren't tied to their rules, I'm pointing out what their rules mean.
I don't even know what their rules are yet, lol. I'm still waiting for someone from SW or HPE to contact me
-
@Shuey said in Ideas for how to use new, free gear from HPE?:
@scottalanmiller said in Ideas for how to use new, free gear from HPE?:
@Shuey said in Ideas for how to use new, free gear from HPE?:
@scottalanmiller said in Ideas for how to use new, free gear from HPE?:
@Shuey said in Ideas for how to use new, free gear from HPE?:
@scottalanmiller said in Ideas for how to use new, free gear from HPE?:
@Shuey said in Ideas for how to use new, free gear from HPE?:
@scottalanmiller said:
@PSX_Defector said in Ideas for how to use new, free gear from HPE?:
@jmaurelli said in Ideas for how to use new, free gear from HPE?:
I am not keen on putting that hardware in the production environment whatsoever! What happens if you lose you job? Or you find another? I say the new equipment is for training purposes. You also make it known somehow that the equipment belongs to you and are only "licensing" to your employer. It's a win-win. They host in their server room, you train, they reap the benefits of your experience.
Are you really that insecure with new equipment?
No, his point was not to donate $60K of his personal hardware to the business for the business to use. If he loses his job, the job would expect to keep the $60K donation.
Unfortunately, and I still haven't found out the rules and restrictions from SpiceWorks and HPE, there's a strong chance that this equipment HAS to go to the company that I work for.
Oh, what if you didn't work for one? What would have happened? What if you work for two?
I hear ya, but I didn't make up the rules of the contest, lol. I only entered because I thought "Whether the equipment goes to me or the company I work for, who cares. $60,000 in "free" equipment is better than NO equipment
I'm just saying... how are the rules written that they cause this to work without creating a disaster? What if you are a contractor or self employed? Do you do ANY consulting yourself, ever? If so, that's a company that you work for.
Again, I see where you're coming from, and I agree. But you know how rules can be sometimes (a lot of "gotchas"). I'm subject to THEIR TERMS, whether they make sense or not
I KNOW, and that's why I'm pointing out how THEIR TERMS work, right? I'm saying, that by what you said their rules were, this is how it works. I'm not saying you aren't tied to their rules, I'm pointing out what their rules mean.
I don't even know what their rules are yet, lol. I'm still waiting for someone from SW or HPE to contact me
Hard to hold you to rules that weren't part of the contest.
-
Here's another thought: Let's say they DO let this equipment be "mine" instead of the company's... The equipment is next to useless to me as is (because I would need more infrastructure added to it in order to make it "fully functional", especially based on the replies I've gotten from ML members so far). I can't afford all of those extra costs...
-
@Shuey Here's the terms: https://xact.spiceworks.com/u/gen/Oct2016/HPE_IT_Makeover_Sweeps_Rules_Rev5_Round_3_2016_0729_a5a1ed0a8ac1ab0e1e3991987e2bd962.pdf
I'm gonna start reading through them to see what gotchas exist..
-
@Shuey said in Ideas for how to use new, free gear from HPE?:
Here's another thought: Let's say they DO let this equipment be "mine" instead of the company's... The equipment is next to useless to me as is (because I would need more infrastructure added to it in order to make it "fully functional", especially based on the replies I've gotten from ML members so far). I can't afford all of those extra costs...
That's definitely the trick here, it's a blade center which is very tough to use and will end up acting like a loss leader that will cause you to invest into it and then keep spending money on it in the future. It's actually got some financial risk to deploy just because it is so likely to encourage bad decisions in the future. It's not as useful as it sounds for your environment if you don't already have what it takes to leverage it.
http://www.smbitjournal.com/2009/12/the-dangers-of-blade-servers-in-smb/
-
@scottalanmiller said in Ideas for how to use new, free gear from HPE?:
@Shuey said in Ideas for how to use new, free gear from HPE?:
Here's another thought: Let's say they DO let this equipment be "mine" instead of the company's... The equipment is next to useless to me as is (because I would need more infrastructure added to it in order to make it "fully functional", especially based on the replies I've gotten from ML members so far). I can't afford all of those extra costs...
That's definitely the trick here, it's a blade center which is very tough to use and is meant to be a loss leader to get you to invest into it and then keep spending money on it in the future. It's actually got some financial risk to deploy just because it is so likely to encourage bad decisions in the future. It's obviously not a set of equipment meant to "improve" anyone's environment. It's equipment that no SMB would ever buy themselves and is not nearly as useful as drastically less expensive gear. And it is potentially incomplete. It's not a makeover, it's just leftover gear.
http://www.smbitjournal.com/2009/12/the-dangers-of-blade-servers-in-smb/
Well, now I feel even more excited about winning this contest!
-
Best bet is to resell the equipment. It's not that it is useless to you, but it is risky and sounds like it requires additional investment which would be pretty silly to invest in random gear that has little value for you.
-
@scottalanmiller said in Ideas for how to use new, free gear from HPE?:
Best bet is to resell the equipment. It's not that it is useless to you, but it is risky and sounds like it requires additional investment which would be pretty silly to invest in random gear that has little value for you.
Yeah, that would be the "best bet" if it was an option. Gotcha: "Prizes are non-transferable and may not be sold, redeemed for cash or otherwise substituted except as provided herein"
-
Blades are tough because they have no storage of their own that is of any use, and so you have to come up with storage to back them with. If you have that already, they are just less than ideal additional servers. But if you don't have that already or if what you have isn't adequate for the performance, capacity or reliability that you'd need from a server then these are totally useless. The storage investment is easily more than the cost of buying a new infrastructure yourself from the beginning that makes sense.
Given that blades are essentially just marketing ploys themselves in general (another major vendor has admitted this to us), getting one as a "gift" isn't too useful. Blade chassis, and often your first blade, are generally free to any business that is willing to "test" them because they are designed to hook you by forcing you to invest so much that you have an emotional sunk cost fallacy problem that gets the business to buy more and more of the worst stuff because they feel like they have to because they have "so much invested already." Not that the vendor is doing that for this purpose here, but the product will act that way to you irrespective of intent, because you can't just plug it in and use it.
