Unix + Ebay

roamer · 01-09-2005 05:51PM #1

Im looking to get my hands on a UNIX server. A sparc system or something. Would I get my hands on one of these from ebay or whats the best way to get one of these?

niallb · 01-09-2005 06:12PM

You would, but the postage might be crazy!

I often buy sparc parts on ebay though.
I picked up a sparcserver 20 last year, and ebay
provided me with a video framebuffer module
for 40 dollars, and an ISDN card for 1 pound sterling!

I'd consider selling it now that I think about it,
though I'll have to check how
essential it's made itself at the moment!
It's got a 20inch monitor with it which makes it a comfortable
workstation. It's an old enough system so it won't break the bank,
and it's got 256MB RAM installed at this stage.
I've run Solaris 7-9 on it, though it more usually runs OpenBSD.

I've also got a HP Unix server, I'll post the model number later.
It comes with all the HP documentation - a whole crate of it.
I bought it just to learn the ins and outs of HP systems, and
was astonished at the paper docs.

If you're interested, discuss it here, and PM me later.
If mods would rather see this in a For Sale forum,
move away, but I think its more Unix than FS,
and its not a definite sale thread anyway.

NiallB

fragile · 01-09-2005 06:13PM

The new Sun Ultra 20 looks very reasonable:

sun.ie

it's an AMD 64 based Workstation that supports Solaris, Linux or Windows.

I have never tried to buy a Sparc system on eBay but I have heard that they are very easy to find and cheap to boot.

roamer · 02-09-2005 04:58PM

yeah, might be interested in something like that. Is that the same system as linked to in fragiles post. The HP also sounds interesting. Can you post more info?

egan007 · 02-09-2005 05:11PM

Do you specifially need sparc?
Sun Solaris 10 will run on x86

niallb · 03-09-2005 12:55AM

roamer wrote:

yeah, might be interested in something like that. Is that the same system as linked to in fragiles post. The HP also sounds interesting. Can you post more info?

Is it OK with mods to continue this discussion here?

The sparc server 20 is an older machine than the Ultra 20.
This one is a hybrid with a sparcstation 20 graphics system,
ISDN card, and 256MB RAM added. There's just one processor in it,
though the slots there for more. I'll take a look after the weekend
to see what size drives it has. It's a good learning machine,
and supports Solaris, linux, *BSD. There's a 20 inch CRT monitor
with it which can be also be used on a PC with an adapter and a supported graphics card. The ATI Rage cards work fine with it.

The HP is a 9000 series PA-RISC - the E25 with a DAT drive.
There is minimal linux and NetBSD support, but it's best left with HP-UX
which is installed (I think 10.20). I have the cables for serial console
as well as ethernet. As I said above, it has mountains of documentation
with it. If you're interested I could throw in a serial terminal as well.

If mods OK, then I'll post a price, otherwise I'll copy to to FS
and post a link.

NiallB

roamer · 04-09-2005 04:34PM

yeah, sure post prices but im not sure if id be able to take them for a while

daveirl · 04-09-2005 05:20PM

This post has been deleted.

roamer · 04-09-2005 05:30PM

Well, its not just solaris. I like the idea of having sun hardware also.

Khannie · 05-09-2005 02:07PM

niallb wrote:

Is it OK with mods to continue this discussion here?

LOL. I don't think the mods have been around for some time. In fairness, this forum is unlikely to be visited by too many muppets. Self moderation > *

eth0_ · 05-09-2005 02:13PM

daveirl wrote:

This post has been deleted.

It's always nice to know. I'm doing the S10 SCSA exams this autumn, I work in a merchant bank and we have a *lot* of Solaris servers, I think this is true across the board in the financial sector.

And the RHCE exam is a rip off...750 euro?

Zoso · 05-09-2005 03:02PM

I've an SS20 here which is free to a good home if anyone wants it. I've picked up a few bits for it on ebay over the last couple of years so it's a pretty decent spec for such a box. Never use it though so it's just taking up space.

Spec is along the lines of:
Quad Ross Hypersparc (4 X RT620/625)
256 Mb RAM
2 x 9 Gb disk
cg6 f/b
on top of standard SS20 chasis

No keyboard or monitor but who needs those with a perfectly good serial console

Currently running NetBSD 2.0.

Available in Lucan, Citywest or Dundrum (and possibly other locations in between).

(note: echoing niallb's comments about FS v. Unix forums)

niallb · 05-09-2005 04:54PM

Zoso's offer sounds like your best bet!
I'll post prices anyway in case you were interested in a full system.
(Nice kit Z, how well does netBSD handle the 4 processors?)

I was thinking €150 for my sparc mostly because of the 20" monitor. There's a keyboard, mouse and mousemat as well.
I have an adapter to run the monitor on a PC.
It's in use at the moment, but I'd throw it in if you were willing to collect near Dunshaughlin.

I'll deliver the HP to Dublin or Meath for €100,
or you could collect for €60.
Not really ideal for you though, if the exam is solaris!

NiallB

Unix + Ebay

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