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This page describes Linux NFS client hardware designed
and integrated specially for our project, and includes
some directions for how to integrate your own
high-performance systems.
Requirements
Our requirements for these systems include:
- Low cost
- Use the high-performance ServerWorks chipset
- Support for 64-bit/66Mb PCI for high-performance networking
- Dual processor SMP
Among mainboards, the Tyan Thunder LE and the AsusTek CUR-DLS are the least expensive mainboards that support a version of the ServerWorks chipset. They both have on-board graphics and LAN hardware, and both support on-board SCSI controllers. The Tyan Thunder LE can also be configured without the SCSI controller, and comes with no 32-bit PCI slots. This is ideal for our purpose, which is to construct high-performance NFS client systems.
We are also exploring the performance of a new range of commodity server-quality gigabit Ethernet NICs. Among the NICs we are considering are:
- 3Com 3C996-T
- Intel PRO/ 1000 T
- NetGear GA-620T
- Alteon Legacy - no longer available
Parts Manifest
Each client system consists of:| Qty | Vendor | Part | Description | Purchase Price |
| 1 | Tyan | Thunder LE S2510UG | Dual Socket-370 mainboard with ServerWorks LE III chipset, on-board VGA graphics adapter, two 10/100Mb ethernet controllers, IDE controller, 4 registered PC133 DIMM slots | $372 |
| 2 | Intel | 933Mhz FC-PGA Pentium III | 16K x2 Level I cache, 256K Level II cache, 133Mhz FSB, Socket 370 933Mhz Coppermine | $173/each |
| 2 | AlphaNovaTech | PAL-15U, 60x60x25mm | CPU cooling fan/heatsink combos that fit on Tyan mainboard | $29/each |
| 1 | Kingston | 256Mb registered SDRAM PC133 3.3v DIMM | 256Mb DIMM (buffered memory for high performance) | $165 |
| 1 | 3Com | 3C996-T | Gigabit Ethernet NIC with Broadcom chipset | $175 |
| 1 | IBM | Deskstar 75GXP 7200RPM IDE 30G | 30G IDE hard drive, 7200RPM, ATA/100 | $135 |
| 1 | Enlight | 7237-0X3C | ATX mid-tower case with 300W pwer supply | $55 |
| 1 | Sony | 52X ATAPI CD-ROM | CD-ROM drive | $35 |
| 1 | Sony | 1.44Mb 3.25" | Floppy drive | $10.75 |
| - | - | - | Total without shipping | $1360 |
Assembly
The images here depict various stages in constructing our prototype.Stage 1 - The parts have arrived
Not shown: ethernet card and CPU fans.
Stage 2 - Case Assembly
This photo shows the case after the mainboard is installed. Note that the CD-ROM and floppy/hard drive sub-assemblies can be removed from the case itself for easy drive installation. CPUs and memory have yet to be installed.
Stage 3 - Final Assembly
Here's a close-up of the final assembly. We see CPUs, memory, PCI gigabit ethernet card, and cabling all in place. Still missing: CPU fans and heatsinks.
lmbench Results
After installing RedHat Linux 7.0 and the 2.4.3 kernel, we ran lmbench on the prototype system to determine its performance level. You can review the results.
Helpful Guides on the Web
To find the best prices for components, we used these web services:Integration help is available here:
- Anandtech
- G256
- Tom's Hardware
- AMD Processor System Configuration - heatsink installation, mainboard recommendations, integration checklist
Last modified: Tue May 8 22:07:37 EDT 2001
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