Can I use a Mac Mini as a web server and database server? What are the pros and cons? [closed]
We are a bootstrapped web start up. We have a LAMP web application that we expect relatively low to mid traffic because users need an account to log in. Our current approach is to colocate two servers, a web and mysql database server. We are planning to use Ubuntu Server 9.04.
We have shopped around for dedicated servers but the price range from $900 to $1500 per month, therefore we are exploring the colocation approach. We are considering purchasing two Mac Minis (2.0GHz Intel Core 2 Duo 2 Gb RAM) because we are familiar with the machines are the prices are relatively inexpensive.
What are the pros and cons of using these 'non-server' grade machines? We would install Ubuntu Sever and attach firewire external hard drives.
Any advice on how to set up 'good-and-economic' web/database servers is welcomed.
Pros of using a Mac Mini as a server
None
Cons of using a Mac Mini as a server
- No redundancy
- No rackability
- No hardware battery-backed RAID
- Not serviceable
- Non-ECC memory
- Crap cooling
- Not built for load
- Not scalable
- Poor support under non-Mac operating systems
What, then?
There are many, many places where you can get dedicated servers for $200 or less per month.
M5 Hosting, for one, has an excellent reputation and offers many systems for very little money.
If that's still too much, buy a few virtual servers (linode.com, rootbsd.com, many others around) and use those until you can afford the dedicated servers.
But don't buy rackspace and fill it with Mac Minis. You will hate yourself forever after.
Mac mini are not the fastest computer around and have no redundancy. They take up very little space, don't use a lot of electricity, and are not very expensive.
They may be an option to start with, but at some point you'll probably need to consider switching to a faster system.
It seems like storage may be the biggest bottle-neck, but that could be addressed by some kind of external or shared storage.
I know macminicolo.net is specifically aiming at colocating mac mini hardware.
What co-located options were you looking at that were comparable in spec to a mac mini at that price? Either way you should be able to purchase 1U servers for a similar price to a mac mini.
Sure, you could run on them, but I'd look to get proper hardware, you should be able to do it on the same budget.