Back in 2009, Microsoft sought to expand its Windows Server user base with the release of Windows Server 2008 Foundation, a cheaper, “entry-level” operating system designed for smaller businesses and branch offices. Sold only by OEMs and pre-installed on server hardware, the idea was to provide a more cost-effective route for SMBs to move to a Windows Server-based infrastructure. At launch, Microsoft’s CEO Steve Ballmer announced the release with the following statement:
Today we are launching a new server-based solution with the right technologies at the right price to give small businesses access to the power of server-based business software. Small businesses around the world have big business dreams and needs.
The SKU has been maintained since ’09 with a subsequent update, Windows Server 2008 R2 Foundation, which is supported on a variety of hardware from the likes of HP, Dell, Lenovo, Acer as well as the manufacturer of today’s Hands On review hardware, Fujitsu. The idea is relatively sound – decent server hardware (with a single physical processor) and operating system software shipping together under $1000, with the key limitation being a maximum of 15 users supported. No CALs involved, so for businesses of the right size, it’s a simple proposition.
However, configuring and managing the server still requires advanced server administration expertise – either in house, or most likely for these kind of businesses, bought in help from an IT consultant. So whilst the proposition is simple, and in part, cost effective there’s still the ongoing costs of maintaining the server to think about, and those costs can certainly mount up.
Many of those headaches will be addressed with this year’s release of Windows Small Business Server 2011 Essentials, which ships with all of the power of Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1 under the hood, but comes with a far simpler configuration and management experience, that allows a small business owner with the time and inclination to manage the server themselves. Couple that with cloud-based subscription applications for key business needs like email, collaboration and data protection and the server market may well open up wider for small businesses later in the year.
In the last six months, we’ve seen new “Micro Server” hardware appear from HP (which we reviewed last week) and followed quickly by Fujitsu’s PRIMERGY MX130 in December. Both systems were launched to support Windows Server 2008 R2 Foundation, as opposed to the newer SBS Essentials platform which we’ll see later in the year, but one can assume that it would be this entry-level model (or a refreshed successor) that will be the company’s platform of choice for the new OS.
Features and Specifications
At first glance, it would be easy to assume that two servers (from Fujitsu and HP) with the words “Micro Server” writ large on their packaging would offer similar features. In this case, they’re actually quite different, seeking to address the needs of small businesses in differing ways. As we discovered last week, the HP ProLiant MicroServer is closer in spirit to the home and small office server hardware we’ve seen from the company over the last couple of years – entry-level processor and RAM, coupled with an expandable, 4-bay storage chassis providing a great option for those with a lot of data, but without the raw grunt you’d find in more powerful application servers.
Fujitsu’s offering is more of a wolf in sheep’s clothing, and a powerful one at that. The chassis is more of a traditional desktop design, and is certainly lacks the storage expansion features of the HP MicroServer, but under the hood there’s a choice of AMD Athlon II X2 processors, running at 2.8GHz or 3.1 GHz (or you can opt for the 2.7 GHz Sempron 140 for a cheaper option) and up to 4GB of ECC RAM, expandable up to a mighty 16GB. It’s a more traditional server all round, just packed into a smaller chassis.
Our review model stacks up as follows:
| Processor: | AMD Athlon II X2 255 3.1 GHz |
| RAM: | 4GB DDR3 PC3-10600 SDRAM - ECC |
| Drive Bays: | 3 (2 x 3.5" and 1 x 5.25") |
| Supplied Storage: | 2 x 1TB Hard Drive |
| RAID Support: | RAID 0, 1, 10 |
| Ports: | 1 x DVI (VGA adaptor included) x8 External USB 2.0 (2 Front, 6 Rear) 1 x Gigabit Ethernet |
| Warranty: | 1 year |
| Dimensions: | 34cm (w) x 38cm (d) x 100 cm (h) |
| Weight: | 10 Kg |
Whilst we marvelled at the low price of the HP MicroServer (especially with their £100 cash back deal), the MX130 is surprisingly cost-effective too, considering the additional power it provides. Shipping without an OS, you should be able to find the 2.8GHz Athlon II X2 model, with 2GB RAM and 2 x 500 GB Hard Drives for less than £300 ex VAT online. Expect to add around £150 if you want Windows Server 2008 R2 Foundation pre-installed.
What’s in the Box?
The MX130 arrives in a large brown box, thankfully with side handle cut-outs as it’s quite heavy to lift. Inside, you’ll find:
- Fujitsu PRIMERGY MX130 Server
- DVI > VGA Adaptor
- 4 Rubber Feet
- Installation DVD (with Drivers, Manuals and Utilities)
- Quickstart Guide
- Safety Manual
The additional rubber feet supplied are to be used to reduce vibration in you decide to position the MX130 on its side, in a tower position, which may well be the neatest position depending on your installation space.
