AnandTech Exclusive: Sun's sub-$1000 SunFire X2100 Server
by Kristopher Kubicki on September 12, 2005 1:29 AM EST- Posted in
- Systems
The Test
Using data from previous Linux and Solaris servers, we will attempt to analyze the performance of our X2100.
Our SunFire X2100 came with Seagate's 80GB 7200.7 SATA drive. We have a specific hard drive image that we use for the majority of our Linux testing, so we opted to swap the stock hard drive for a 7200.8.
We only had the opportunity to test our configuration with SLES 9 SP2 and RHEL 4 during the X2100's stay at the AnandTech labs. The server is fully supported under Solaris 10, with advanced optimizations for dual core processors in the upcoming Solaris 10 u1 (Solaris 9 has no dual core optimizations). Windows Server 2003 32 and 64 are both optimized for the SunFire X2100 as well. Solaris 10 came pre-installed on our Aquarius, but in order to save time, we swapped the drives with our standard Linux benchmark drive instead.
The majority of the other systems in our analysis today are other Sun workstations and servers that we have looked at in the past.
Using data from previous Linux and Solaris servers, we will attempt to analyze the performance of our X2100.
| Test Configurations | ||
| Machine: | SunFire X2100 "Aquarius" | |
| Processor: | (1) AMD Opteron 175 | |
| RAM: | 4 x 1024MB PC-3200 | |
| Hard Drives | 120GB Seagate Barracuda 7200.8 SATA | |
| Memory Timings: | Default | |
| Operating System(s): | SLES 9 SP2 RHEL 4 |
|
| Compiler: | linux:~ # gcc -v Reading specs from /usr/local/lib/gcc/i686-pc-linux-gnu/3.4.2/specs Configured with: ./configure Thread model: posix gcc version 3.4.2 |
|
Our SunFire X2100 came with Seagate's 80GB 7200.7 SATA drive. We have a specific hard drive image that we use for the majority of our Linux testing, so we opted to swap the stock hard drive for a 7200.8.
We only had the opportunity to test our configuration with SLES 9 SP2 and RHEL 4 during the X2100's stay at the AnandTech labs. The server is fully supported under Solaris 10, with advanced optimizations for dual core processors in the upcoming Solaris 10 u1 (Solaris 9 has no dual core optimizations). Windows Server 2003 32 and 64 are both optimized for the SunFire X2100 as well. Solaris 10 came pre-installed on our Aquarius, but in order to save time, we swapped the drives with our standard Linux benchmark drive instead.
The majority of the other systems in our analysis today are other Sun workstations and servers that we have looked at in the past.
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dilidolo - Monday, September 12, 2005 - link
If you want to conpare hardware, then run same OS.If you want to benchmark OS/App, then use same hardware.
With Anand's testing method, you can't really tell if it's OS or hardware that makes the difference.
Furen - Monday, September 12, 2005 - link
Considering that the 175 is supposed to be cheaper than the 152, Sun's margins on the Dual-core system are huge. Then again, these systems cannibalize their 2-way single-core systems, so of course they have to be priced accordingly.MCSim - Monday, September 12, 2005 - link
https://www.sun.com/nc/05q3/">Sun NC05Q3 eventMCSim - Monday, September 12, 2005 - link
https://www.sun.com/nc/05q3/">Fixed linkgibhunter - Monday, September 12, 2005 - link
Everyone retains their badge number in our company too. I think it makes it easier from an accounting standpoint.When I left in 99 and came back in 03 I still had the same badge number even though new employees' numbers have gone up by about a hundred.
splat1 - Monday, September 12, 2005 - link
The board is a rebranded tyan K8E.surprized the guys from anandtech didnt see that.
ftp://ftp.tyan.com/img_mobo/i_s2865.tif">ftp://ftp.tyan.com/img_mobo/i_s2865.tif
Looks like they pulled the pci slots and some other stuff but Im pretty sure the board layout was tyan's design.
Furen - Monday, September 12, 2005 - link
I would call it a similar design, it's not easy to "pull" stuff out of a motherboard.splat1 - Monday, September 12, 2005 - link
Can anyone find a better pic of the sun motherboard. From what I can tell the board layout is identical. Even the smdc card looks to be the same one that tyan uses. I guess I could try to flash the k8e with the sun bios and see what happens.MCSim - Monday, September 12, 2005 - link
Sun is doing really well with the Opterons.Questar - Monday, September 12, 2005 - link
Yeah, look at those profits they're making!