I just ordered the HP Microserver N40L, now what?

Started By HSS-Dave, Mar 31 2012 04:14 PM

hp microserver n40l

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#1 HSS-Dave

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Posted 31 March 2012 - 04:14 PM

I'm thinking that there are a lot of new N40L owners out there that could use some guidance on what to do first with their new server. You guys should be able to handle this topic easily. Add on cards, RAM, mods, software, etc. Ideas and links please.

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#2 yodafett

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Posted 31 March 2012 - 05:29 PM

Recommend 2 of Kingston ValueRAM 4GB 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM ECC Unbuffered DDR3 1333 Server Memory Model KVR1333D3E9S/4G for 68.00
after that sky is the limit. if you want USB3 will need to find a low profile card but the ram should be enough for a start.

I plan to set up this new with server 8 so will add RAM a second 250 I have, and then 2 500 GB for HyperV or ad 2 duel nics and make it a PFSense super router.

Might want to look at the bios mods once you kick the tires around

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#3 jmwills

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Posted 31 March 2012 - 07:17 PM

The onboard NIC is not recognized by pfSense.

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#4 yodafett

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Posted 31 March 2012 - 08:38 PM

hense the reason for the 2 duel nics

#5 HSS-Dave

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Posted 31 March 2012 - 09:20 PM

What dual NIC are you using?

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#6 Joe_Miner

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Posted 31 March 2012 - 09:32 PM

Recommend 2 of Kingston ValueRAM 4GB 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM ECC Unbuffered DDR3 1333 Server Memory Model KVR1333D3E9S/4G for 68.00
after that sky is the limit. if you want USB3 will need to find a low profile card but the ram should be enough for a start.

I plan to set up this new with server 8 so will add RAM a second 250 I have, and then 2 500 GB for HyperV or ad 2 duel nics and make it a PFSense super router.

Might want to look at the bios mods once you kick the tires around

I'm thinking of a Server 8 Platform so I will start with Kingston Model KVR1333D3E9SK2/8G RAM upgrade and a single intel NIC -- After that I'll flash the BIOS with the revision from BIOS-MOD. Still thinking where I'm going after that -- but I'm also thinking of changes to my 1st MicroServer too -- this 2nd one is going to open up a lot of options for me.

What dual NIC are you using?

I'm using the Intel EXPI9402PTBLK Two Gigabit NIC in my 1st MicroServer -- it works really well IMHO.

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#7 jmwills

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Posted 01 April 2012 - 08:49 AM

Basically, any Intel NIC will be recognized, but I have a hard time spending $135 for a dual NIC to put in a box I spent less than that amount on, I might just have to get over it!

#8 mattd390

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Posted 01 April 2012 - 09:46 AM

FYI, I have found Intel dual Gb port cards for $55-$60 on ebay. Most of the vendors have 7-14 day exchange policies as well.

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#9 yodafett

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Posted 01 April 2012 - 10:28 AM

for me I am going to probably order the 80 Dollar management card, but want to see the cost with corp discount or through a HP contact from church.

#10 Joe_Miner

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Posted 01 April 2012 - 11:27 AM

Basically, any Intel NIC will be recognized, but I have a hard time spending $135 for a dual NIC to put in a box I spent less than that amount on, I might just have to get over it!

Troll for deals. Everything seems to go on sale at one time or another. There were some fantastic deals on NICs around the holidays. Newegg, Frys, Amazon, Monoprice, PC-Connection Express and now Insight all cycle thru sales. Even Best Buy, Office Depot, ect. do it too.

#11 jmwills

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Posted 01 April 2012 - 11:53 AM

Okay, I gave in as I really want to get pfSense up and running. I will also be in the market for a 16 port switch and hope that will be enough. Anyone in the market for some 5 port gig switches???????

I'll put together a list of things for sale so I can start to trim down some inventory (translate...raise some $$ for another Microserver!)

#12 ikon

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Posted 01 April 2012 - 12:54 PM

for me I am going to probably order the 80 Dollar management card, but want to see the cost with corp discount or through a HP contact from church.

Does that card ONLY work on HP boxes?

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#13 yodafett

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Posted 01 April 2012 - 01:28 PM

Yeah there is a special slot similar to a dell drac (dell remote access card). Basically a ipkvm on steroids.

#14 ikon

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Posted 01 April 2012 - 02:27 PM

Yeah there is a special slot similar to a dell drac (dell remote access card). Basically a ipkvm on steroids.

And the MicroServer has that slot?

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#15 Joe_Miner

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Posted 01 April 2012 - 02:35 PM

And the MicroServer has that slot?

Yes.

#16 ikon

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Posted 01 April 2012 - 02:36 PM

Yes.

It really is the little box that could

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#17 yodafett

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Posted 01 April 2012 - 03:31 PM

yeap, i have 2 at my church with that slot so i can power them up if they have a power outage and auto turn off, save me a trip with spring storms

Posted Image

See the slot behind the 1x PCIe

Edited by yodafett, 01 April 2012 - 03:33 PM.

#18 mattd390

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Posted 01 April 2012 - 03:48 PM

yeap, i have 2 at my church with that slot so i can power them up if they have a power outage and auto turn off, save me a trip with spring storms

See the slot behind the 1x PCIe

It's naked!

#19 yodafett

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Posted 01 April 2012 - 03:54 PM

Me im like Diehard and trying to figure out what i can put on the port circled in RED

#20 ikon

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Posted 01 April 2012 - 03:59 PM

Me im like Diehard and trying to figure out what i can put on the port circled in RED

It sorta looks like a PCIe 1x.

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