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Re: Distributed build overhead and Mac Mini vs XServe pricing
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Re: Distributed build overhead and Mac Mini vs XServe pricing


  • Subject: Re: Distributed build overhead and Mac Mini vs XServe pricing
  • From: Rob Frohne <email@hidden>
  • Date: Sun, 16 Jan 2005 08:57:46 -0800


On Jan 16, 2005, at 1:13 AM, Scott Tooker wrote:

The two main factors we've seen with distributed builds are network speed and I/O speed (i.e. disk speed). Depending on the number of remote build servers used, there could be a difference between 100MBit and GigaBit ethernet. Network traffic levels can also affect this.


I believe that the Mac Mini has a 4200 rpm drive so the I/O performance is not going to compete with the faster disks you find in the G5 PowerMac or the xServe. However, as you point out the price for a Mac mini is much lower, so using more Mac Minis may compensate (don't know since I've never tried).

The rule of thumb I go by is to start with 4 to 6 remote builders and then increase from there if you are using a fast local machine.
How about using IP over firewire for the networking. It is almost as fast as gigabit ethernet. Then put some cheap USB 2 3.5" drives on the USB bus? It seems that 10 Gig drives ought to be enough for your needs. You can get 10 Gig 7200 rpm drives for less than $20 each here. http://www.axiontech.com/prdt.php?src=FG&item=71132 The USB case can probably be had for around $20. You could stack your minis and your hard drives up next to one another.

It seems that more memory might be the expensive thing you need. 1 GB is about $200.

Rob
--
Rob Frohne, Ph.D., P.E.
E.F. Cross School of Engineering
Walla Walla College
http://www.wwc.edu/~frohro/

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References: 
 >Distributed build overhead and Mac Mini vs XServe pricing (From: Andrew Kimpton <email@hidden>)
 >Re: Distributed build overhead and Mac Mini vs XServe pricing (From: Scott Tooker <email@hidden>)

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