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Essential Colo Advice
Things to do before collocating a server
A collocation server install should simply consist of racking and railing the machine, connecting a network cable and then attaching a power lead. This means that your server should arrive correctly configured.Here are some essential setup steps in preparing your server to be colocated with Othello::Colo...
Set the BIOS Auto Power On
Othello::Colo provides a remote power management service which enables you to power cycle your server in the event it stops responding. In order to take advantage of this facility it is ESSENTIAL that your machine is configured correctly.All server class BIOS' have the option for you to specify the power-state after power-off. Sometimes it's hidden under security settings. This usually has 3 options: * Off * Last State * Always-On
Please make sure you have set this to Always-On.
If your motherboard/bios does not have this option, you will need to change your motherboard to one designed for use in a datacentre instead of a desktop.
Please TEST that it works before shipping to the datacentre by removing the powerlead from the machine whilst it is powered-on (which will cause it to go off), then simply plug it back in without touching any buttons. If it does not fire up automatically on reapplying the power, please recheck your settings.
Set the BIOS Error Check
Your machine MUST boot without any manual intervention. In a datacentre environment there will not be an actual keyboard or screen attached to the machine, so you should set the stop-on-error level to exclude keyboard checks, and ideally to Ignore all Errors
Blank off extra Eth ports
Many machines come with multmultiple ethernet ports. These are easily confused, and very often labelled incorrectly by the manufacturers. We advise all clients to blank off any unused network ports, by cutting the end(s) off a cat5 cable, and inserting the plug into any NIC that is not to be connected to the network.
Ensure Adequate Cooling
Unlike a desktop machine, which is mostly emppty space, or an office tower server which is full of big fans, a rackmount server requires a very different method for cooling. Do not skimp on the quality of your case, there is a very real difference in system life expectancy between a £100 1u case (3 months) and a £1000 1u case (3 years) in terms of feature and design.You should install opt for the right CPU and setup for the task. We know that having the latest number of Ghz on your CPU is the technology equivalent of a pen1s extension, but if your machine doesnt require all that processing, then all you will be doing is generating excess heat and shortening the mean-time-to-fail of your server.
We do not recommend you build your own rackmount servers, unless you have a multi-million pound lab and have been doing so for 10 years, it really is better to buy a pre-made server from a professional rackmount servers supplier, as they will have found (and fixed) all the cooling, cabling and component assembly issues.
Make sure the OS Boots
Your machine MUST boot without any manual intervention. Please check that your O/S is configured to start automatically. For Linux servers, check that the boot loader continues within 10 seconds to a known good kernel. For Windows servers, check that you dont have multiple versions installed which require a selecteion before boot.
Check the Network Configuration
You should ensure that you have configured the- IP address
- netmask
- gateway
- nameservers
Set your Firewall Rules to Allow
If you're running a software firewall on your server, PLEASE ensure that have not locked yourself out. You might be the next Wargames IT Guru Whizzkid, but we've all made the simple mistake of adding a deny rule which locks even ourselves out. At the very least make sure that your *gateway* IP has full access - at least then if sunspot activity warps your 3 dimensional iptables ruleset, we can still get in and help fix the typos.
Upgrade to KVMoIP
Consider an upgrade to the KVMoIP service. This gives you a method of getting access to your server remotely as if you were sitting right in front of it, and is essential if you:- manage to firewall yourself out
- need to check a BIOS setting
- make a mistake on your network setup
- accidentally turn off your network card
- need to fsck/repair/check the hard drive
- want to watch it boot up
- expect to switch back to an earlier kernel/software version.
Send all the Parts
If your server installation is to go smoothly and efficiently, before you seal up that box for the courier PLEASE make a list of the contents and double-check they are all correctly packed. More than 50% of the systems we receive are missing some vital component (normally a rail) and whilst we strive to keep as many spares and accessories in stock as possible, it really is much better if you just send the right parts to start with...- server
- rails
- iec power lead
- 1.5mtr quality cat5 cable
- chassis keys if you want it locked