Ubuntu on Dell PowerEdge 2850

[Johann Spies]

On Fri, Sep 16, 2005 at 03:59:52PM +0200, Patrik Lermon wrote:
> My company are looking for a server to host a web service, and we have
> been considering the Dell PowerEdge 2850 with:
> 
> - 2 x 64-bit Intel Xeon processor 3.0GHz with 2MB L2 cache and
> - Integrated PERC4e/Di RAID Controller (RAID5)
> 
> We would like to run Ubuntu on it, but we would also accept pure Debian.

I was not successful when I tried to install Ubuntu Hoary (x86) on a
similar server with 4Gb ram.  Neither with Debian Sarge a few weeks
before Sarge became Stable.  I had to use a debian-dell-2.4.31.iso
available on the internet and used the kernel configuration of on that
iso as a basis for compiling a custom kernel which could handle the
PERC4e.

I had to choose the 64Gb-bigmem option for the kernel to use the full
4G ram.  Maybe that will not be necessary when you use a 64-bit
installation.

I have heard that somebody had success with an official Debian Sarge
installation CD, but I did not have the same success.

> 3. Does Ubuntu support Dells integrated SCSI controller: PERC4e ?

You would be able to compile a kernel doing that.  I don't think it is
there by default.  I may be wrong.

The linux-poweredge-mailing list at Dell
(linux-poweredge-request at dell.com) is full of usefull information.

Regards
Johann
-- 
Johann Spies          Telefoon: 021-808 4036
Informasietegnologie, Universiteit van Stellenbosch

     "Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses
      surrounding us, let us also lay aside every weight,
      and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us
      run with endurance the race that is set before us."
                               Hebrews 12:1