XServe Experiences

[Paul E.R. Packbier]

I almost forgot that I belonged to this excellent list.  Happy New Year 
everyone!

A question "for the group:"

We recently decided to buy an XServe for our all-Mac office in order to 
centralize our files, possibly start hosting our e-mail server and web 
site on-site, and possibly provide for dial-in access to databases 
we'll be compiling.

We bought a G4 Xserve 1GHzDP 512/60Gb/CD/ATI/DualGig (refurb) and I 
spent my XMas break setting it up and trying to learn about the system. 
  The thing that became almost immediately apparent, and progressively 
more annoying, was the NOISE this thing was making.  It sounded like 
the cooling fan/blower for the power supply, which according to the 
documentation should also be temperature/software controlled like the 
two fans for the processors.  Inquiries with my dealer yielded that 
this noise was "normal" for Xserves and not a malfunction of any sort 
...

We ended up sending the unit back for a "store credit after restocking 
fee" and I'm contemplating alternate routes.

Question:  Does an XServe really sound like a vacuum cleaner all the 
time?

Since the sound even permeated into our offices with the door to our 
"control room" closed, this is not an option.  Would we be better 
served with a desktop model (G5?) running Mac OS Server, and add more 
hard drive space when needed?  Any suggestions for good, user friendly 
documentation describing setting up a small office network?

Thanks!

_____________________________________________
PCR Environmental, Inc.
266 Father San Vitores Street
Tamuning, Guam 96913-3622 USA
(671) 646-3560; Fax (671) 646-3563

http://www.pcrguam.com