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Small form factor PCs have been around for some time, but only enthusiasts have converted these into servers. This has changed with Ayrsoft's Icon Server, which hosts a number of applications within a Shuttle system.
Our review system was powered by an Intel P4 2.4GHz processor. The twin 80GB hard drives were mirrored for redundancy and 512MB of PC2700 DDR unbuffered non-ECC memory was installed. Because of the small size of the case, there are only two available memory slots and a single PCI slot.
The hardware configuration is designed to cope with more than 24 users, which seems reasonable, while the base operating system is a customised version of Mandrake Linux. There is no need to know Linux, though, as the unit is managed over a secure browser connection.
A wizard guides you through the installation and once completed the well designed Web-based management screen lets you configure additional options. This literally takes a few minutes, after which the office software can be managed. This includes applications such as an intranet, email, file sharing, firewall and VPN support, as well as a MySQL database. In the near future distributed Internet will become available, and automatic upgrades from Ayrsoft can be scheduled every night.
There are several different versions of the Icon software, from a starter pack to a Plus edition, that include customer relationship management, antispam filtering and other options.
The server can be bought in varying configurations, such as with a DSL modem. A lower specified system for fewer than 24 users is available, but the lack of a second hard drive might make some administrators a little anxious. Icon Server software is sold separately and can scale up to 5,000 users with the right hardware.
It's a powerful system that can be easily managed. Expansion is restricted to three FireWire and four USB ports, while the Linux operating system may limit support for peripherals.
Contact: 01294 318722
www.ayrsoft.com
Specifications:
- Form factor: Small form factor
- Dimensions 200x285x185mm
- Shuttle system SB51G
- CPU Pentium 4 2.4GHz
- Max memory 2GB
- Network cards 2 x 10/100Base-TX
- PCI slots One 32-bit 33MHz
- Optical drive AOpen CD-RW
- Hard drive capacity 2 x 80GB
- Seagate ST380011A UltraATA/100
- Applications Email, firewall, Web, print server (additional applications available)
- Warranty One year RTB
Price:
£2,799 (ex. VAT) for a 50-user license.
See also:
If you are on a budget but want to build your own small form factor PC, try this out. 10 May 2004All Servers
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