Re: Mac mini thoughts

[Damian Kelly]

I use a pair of (the cheapest) mac minis as a development environment 
(One as an FM Server the other does all the web stuff(IWP, CWL, Static 
HTML, LDML and a little bit of PHP and mySQL)). They have 512Mb RAM. At 
the maximum there are 10 users. It works ok given we did not really 
have space for 'real' servers (real == rack mounted hot swappable dual 
PSUs, Raid 5 (preferably SCSI 320 but ATA 150 at a push), Gigabit Nic 
(if not then two Gigabit Nics), sensible backup strategy) but there are 
some caveats. Creating indexes, doing backups and anything of a big 
load onto the box and the disk runs processor at 100%. This proves that 
OS X really multitasks well but can be a pain in the bum when you want 
to get stuff done.

I have added UPSs to both boxes (APCs rated at 500VA) for a little 
security but I really do not like having normal plugs and really really 
hate plugging the brick into the ups and the mini in to the brick (lots 
of links == lots of possibilities for the plug to be pulled). Servers 
ought to at least have those little wire things that hold the lead in 
place. Spot the guy who has been burnt by power failures before!

The biggest advantage of this set up is that for around the �800 mark I 
have a cut down version of my preferred arrangement of server boxes.

Overall I would lean away from using them as production servers unless 
funds are incredibly tight. HP DL3xxs are my personal favourite and can 
be sourced for around �1.5K (If FileMaker actually got a Linux version 
of server out then I would be really happy) which is not a lot of money 
when most business rely on their data.

Damian Kelly
Database Developer
FileMaker 7 Certified Developer
_______________________________________________________
Cordis Ltd
1 Raven Wharf
Queen Elizabeth Street
London SE1 2LR
http://www.cordistechnologies.com
Phone: 020 7378 7388
Fax: 0870 4580 411
_______________________________________________________
On 7 Apr 2005, at 05:37, Bill Holt wrote:
I'm thinking of getting a Mac Mini for the purpose of testing stuff to 
be
run on FMS7-advanced.  I was wondering if anyone could share their
experience with this sort of setup.

Is the standard machine config adequate for running FMS7-adv?
TIA
   Bill Holt
--
To unsubscribe: send an email to <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
FMPexperts is hosted by Ironclad Networks <http://www.ironclad.net.au/>

--
To unsubscribe: send an email to <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
FMPexperts is hosted by Ironclad Networks <http://www.ironclad.net.au/>