Compucon Computers NZ - Quality Servers and Workstations

December 2010

The X8 generation of Compucon servers and beyond (Workgroup or Platinum) include integrated IPMI (Remote out-of-band Management over IP) - it is a useful tool for managing the server remotely. Please check with our team ( This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it ) if you would like assistance or to check whether your server has IPMI - we simply need to know the system's serial number to assist you.

1. First Use

Please make sure an RJ45 network cable is connected to the IPMI network port at the back of the server before the server receives AC power from the wall. The IPMI network interface will be initialised upon the first boot of the system. If a network connection was not available during the system's first boot, please remove AC power from the system and connect an RJ45 network cable into the IPMI port first.

2. Setting the IP address

The default IP address for IPMI should be set to 192.168.1.20x (beginning with 201, then 202, 203, etc. for multiple systems).

To confirm or to change this setting please enter the motherboard BIOS by pressing the <DEL> key on system startup. You will eventually be presented with the motherboard BIOS setup screen. Once you are inside the BIOS setup, please navigate to Advanced > IPMI Configuration > Set LAN Configuration. This setup page will allow you to configure the network parameters. We highly recommend that you configure a STATIC IP address and a Gateway IP address, especially if you wish to manage this system remotely over the Internet.

3. Configuring and using IPMI

You can now use any other PC on the same network subnet to manage this server remotely via IPMI. Open up a web browser and navigate to the IP address configured in Step 2. The default username/password is ADMIN/ADMIN (case sensitive).

Alternatively you can use the IPMIView client available for download here:
ftp://ftp.supermicro.com/utility/IPMIView/

How many days of footage can we have?

December 2010

This article is based on Compucon IPVS installations with Megapixel IP Fixed Dome cameras (ACM-3411/7411). We can estimate the amount of storage needed per camera if we can define:

(a) the QUALITY of the video footage required, and
(b) the AMOUNT of active recording (by scheduling or motion detection)

To give us an idea or a reference point, we will assume the following QUALITY settings:

QUALITY

Codec Type	MPEG4
Resolution	1280x1024
Frame Rate	8
Bit Rate	3Mbps

AMOUNT

Hours per day	24
Full Time recording	32GB
Motion Detection 80%	26GB
Motion Detection 50%	16GB

This means that 1 camera will use 32GB of storage per day if we record 24/7. If we use motion detection - 50% motion activity (i.e. there is motion half the time) will result in the use of 16GB per camera.

Let us summarise by defining different projects / scenarios:

A large site with 30 cameras will have between 1 to 2 days of video footage per 1TB of storage, depending on the amount of motion / recording per camera. 1 day is the worst case scenario (full time recording or lots of motion). In the same fashion, a medium site with 10 cameras will have between 3 to 6 days of video footage per 1TB of storage.

Therefore we can have the following number of 'days of recording' per 1TB of storage:

# of Cameras	Full Time recording	Motion Detection 80% activity	Motion Detection 50% activity
1	30	37.5	60
5	6	7.5	12
10	3	3.75	6
15	2	2.5	4
30	1	1.25	2

From another perspective, a server with 2TB of storage can store between 6 to 12 days of video footage for 10 cameras.

If you wish to do your own calculation you can refer to the 'storage / bandwidth' calculator:
http://www.acti.com/project_planner/WEBSITE/storage.html

Windows SBS 2008 Standard versus Premium

December 2010

SBS 2008 Premium includes everything from SBS 2008 Standard plus: SQL 2008 Standard for Small Business and an extra Server 2008 Standard license for running a 2nd server (e.g. for Terminal Services)

Source: http://www.microsoft.com/sbs/en/us/compare-features.aspx

Windows Small Business Server (SBS) 2008 combines several server technologies for an all-in-one small business network suite.

SBS 2008 comes in two editions: Standard and Premium.

The diagram and chart below detail the various product technologies included in each edition.

Benefit	Product Technologies	SBS 2008 Standard Edition	SBS 2008 Premium Edition
Strong IT Foundation: Microsoft Windows Server 2008 product technologies provide the core foundation of Windows Small Business Server 2008. Windows Server 2008 is the most flexible and robust Windows server operating system to date. For more information, visit the Microsoft Windows Server 2008 Web site.	Windows Server 2008 Standard Technologies
Messaging and Collaboration: Microsoft Exchange Server 2007 product technologies introduce advanced e-mail and calendar functionality to Windows Small Business Server 2008. Exchange Server 2007 delivers a seamless end-user collaboration experience and unparalleled security features. For more information, visit the Microsoft Exchange Server 2007 Web site.	Microsoft Exchange Server 2007 Standard Edition
Collaboration and Productivity: Microsoft Windows SharePoint Services 3.0 is a versatile technology that organizations and business units of all sizes can use to increase the efficiency of business processes and improve team productivity. Share internal documents, coordinate calendars, manage issues, and participate in discussions while you’re on the road. Windows SharePoint Services gives people access to information they need. For more product-specific information, visit the Windows SharePoint Services Web site.	Windows SharePoint Services 3.0
E-Mail Security: Microsoft Forefront Security for Exchange Server (Forefront) helps protect e-mail from viruses, worms, and spam. Forefront incorporates multiple antivirus engines for layered protection against the latest e-mail-based threats. For more information, visit the Microsoft Forefront Security for Exchange Server Web site.	Microsoft Forefront Security for Exchange Server^1,3
Network Updates and Protection: Microsoft Windows Server Update Services (WSUS) enables deployment of the latest Microsoft product updates to computers running the Windows operating system. It offers automatic system checks for new software updates and makes it easier for you or your IT consultant to monitor and distribute updates. For more information, visit the Windows Server Update Services Web site.	Windows Server Update Services 3.0
Take Business Online: SBS 2008 integrates with Office Live Small Business to provide everything needed to take, promote, and manage a business on the Internet. Customers can create a professional Web presence without the hassle or expense of setting up a complicated infrastructure or hiring technical staff to maintain it. Office Live Small Business is a hosted service for customers with an Internet connection. For more information, visit the Office Live Small Business Web site.	Microsoft Office Live Small Business²
Database: Based on best practices, Premium includes software to run on a second server that is dedicated to supporting a vast number of line-of-business applications. A comprehensive data management and analysis solution that makes it possible to use many server-based business applications, such as accounting, business planning, and contact management software, which share a centralized database so that all employees can work from the same information. For more product-specific information, visit the Microsoft SQL Server 2008 Standard Edition Web site.	Windows Server 2008 Standard⁴ Microsoft SQL Server 2008 Standard for Small Business⁵

¹ 120 day trial included in the product.

² Office Live Small Business is available in the following languages (countries): English (Canada, U.K., U.S.); French (Canada, France); German (Germany); and Japanese (Japan).

³ Microsoft Forefront Security for Exchange Server is available in the following languages: English, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Chinese (Simplified), Chinese (Traditional), Portuguese (Brazil), Spanish, and Russian.

⁴Windows Server 2003 R2 Standard is available as an alternative version in place of Windows Server 2008 Standard.

⁵ Through June 30, 2010, customers using applications that are not yet certified for use on SQL Server 2008 Standard, a copy of SQL Server 2005 Standard will also be included in SBS 2008 Premium. SQL Server 2008 (or 2005) Standard can be installed on either server: If you install SQL on the first server then you must install the management tools on another machine.

For information on Windows Live OneCare for Server, visit the OneCare Update page.

To learn more about product licensing and get additional details on Client Access Licenses, visit the Licensing page.

Compucon Roadmaps for 2011

December 2010

The Compucon channel has come out of the trough of recession unscathed but economists have warned that the recovery path is more difficult for survivors. Are all channel peers immune to failure? We will take a look of what we did over the last 6 months and if these actions have helped our peers. Our efforts in maintaining system quality have stayed high on the agenda. We have expanded our system range within and outside the square. The world top video management software company has appointed Compucon as a solution partner to mark the period. Our peer in Northland has succeeded in securing a large project to monitor a township with our support. There are many inherent advantages we jointly possess, and we will do well with more joint participations. A couple of peers have raised the issue of offering joint managed or even hosting services. This is a positive direction that we should pay more attention to. We will reveal the mechanism of how we approach business issues in this session but will leave the joint effort topic to the Peer Session.

Presentation: 2010-1208 TB Compucon Roadmaps.pdf (3.2MB)

Global Technology & Industry Developments

December 2010

We will review the developments of 2 disruptions and 2 evolutions in this session. The working of the cloud model is now visible but the uptake has been limited to free emails and most cloud operators have found it hard to financially break even. Things may start to change as Intel has succeeded in getting 70 top businesses in the world to jump onto the bandwagon. One sector has now been identified as a clear winner for Cloud (what is it). Apple toppled Microsoft and ARM topped Intel with one single event and this is the iPad launch. Has iPad redefined the PC industry? The traditional PC industry is not dead and is growing at higher than GDP rates. There are different emphases however. AMD has selected niches to avoid direct clashes with Intel, and a new guy called Tile is emerging. nVidia continues to have a tight grip of the GPU world. Two cars without drivers have reached the World Fair in Shanghai. A robot is now working in the sky lab on orbit. We are getting 3DTV in the near future. IT and engineering have mixed further and Cisco will show us how. All these have promised an exciting time ahead for us.

Presentation: 2010-1208 TB Industry Developments.pdf (1.3MB)

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