Tips for Expediting the Purchase Request

• If the item is sole sourced (i.e. can only get from one vendor), you're set.
• If not, try to help purchasing by doing the work for them. I.e., find 3 competing quotes and submit the best one. If you don't, they'll apparently try to find 3 themselves, but it can take a while.

Our potential sources for SuperMicro hardware

• Silicon Mechanics (siliconmechanics.com) - Seattle area, used extensively by CSL/Gates
• Mazda Technologies (packs X58 chipset-based, core i7s in 1U machines)
• Penguin Computing (usually more expensive)

Power

• We will have two 220v plugs (probably 30A each)
  • Need to get the NEMA code (C15, L630?!)
• PDUs commonly come with 24 plugs, so we'll likely want two, one for each 220v source.
• Twin servers share a power supply, so we cut down on the number of plugs that way.
  • Quad servers apparently share 2 power supplies, but need only one to run (i.e. redundant power by default).
• PDUs run ~$750 for 24 plugs

Switches

• 48-port gigabit linking all nodes.
• Recommended staying away from cheapo switches (NetGear, DLink, etc).
  • Good experiences with HP switches (used throughout Gates). Lifetime warranty. ~$1,500.
• Switch for IPMI needs only be 10/100. Not as critical.
  • Get something cheap, or get an old decommissioned one for free from Charlie.

Racks

• Be sure whatever we get has standard dimensions (i.e. can fit through a doorway).
• Should be no problem taking a full rack in the elevator.

Misc

• Be sure whoever delivers has a lift on their truck, as we do not have a loading dock!