dual question(power supply and kvm switches)

[jasong]

I figure this will be a short thread, so I've combined questions.

First, I need to power the board I won in during the Christmas party, but I don't want to bother buying a case. I have no idea where to go online or offline to get the right equipment. It's an Opteron board, if that helps.

Second, and this is actually a question within a question: I don't even know if this would count as a network, but my goal is to have three computers: one Windows(one side of a kvm switch) and two Linux computers, one with a hard drive and the other a driveless slave to the first Linux box(the one with the hard drive would be connected to the other side of kvm switch).

My problem with the second question is, if all I have is a kvm switch and a 4-point hub, is there a way to network them with the kvm switch without buying more switches?

[Shish]

KVM means keyboard, video and mouse. That is, you connect the relevant kvm outputs from each computer to the kvm switch and then, normally, though there can be more than one, you connect the other output of the kvm to a single monitor, keyboard and mouse. Then you can switch easily between them.
Networking is a different thing and you may have difficulties getting Windozee machines to talk to Tux machines over a network and vice versa, though it`s not impossible. Running headless is also a not too easy thing especially if you`re using switching. VNC may be what you need as it can talk to headless machines. But headless and diskless as well increases your difficulty in sorting it out and any problems arising.
I have and still do run bare boards but you have to be aware there is a risk of shorts, things getting knocked and falling over. My new Opteron is atm boxless and I`ve run major DC fleets as bare boards but you just need to bump the table/desk whatever and something falls over or shorts out.
As to psu, not sure which Opteron you have but I`m running a full server with 8 hard drives, 3 dvds, floppy and some big fans for the dual core (max 100 watts for the cores I believe tho` I`ve not checked properly yet) plus some external kit off a 550w Enermax and dual XPs (hot 100w+ per core) off a 430watt Enermax. Minimum normally is around 360w to 400w in a decent make of supply but you should Google for items consumption and add them all up with an extra allowance for your total power needed.

Anyway, that`s my 40 hours outa bed so I need sleep before our normal shopping day tomorrow.
Catch you later and best of luck sorting that lot out.

[jasong]

...Networking is a different thing and you may have difficulties getting Windozee machines to talk to Tux machines over a network and vice versa, though it`s not impossible.
Well, if they're not aware of each other, can I still get them to share an Internet connection?

Running headless is also a not too easy thing especially if you`re using switching. VNC may be what you need as it can talk to headless machines. But headless and diskless as well increases your difficulty in sorting it out and any problems arising.
I have and still do run bare boards but you have to be aware there is a risk of shorts, things getting knocked and falling over. My new Opteron is atm boxless and I`ve run major DC fleets as bare boards but you just need to bump the table/desk whatever and something falls over or shorts out.
As to psu, not sure which Opteron you have but I`m running a full server with 8 hard drives, 3 dvds, floppy and some big fans for the dual core (max 100 watts for the cores I believe tho` I`ve not checked properly yet) plus some external kit off a 550w Enermax and dual XPs (hot 100w+ per core) off a 430watt Enermax. Minimum normally is around 360w to 400w in a decent make of supply but you should Google for items consumption and add them all up with an extra allowance for your total power needed.
Thanks for the advice about figuring power consumption, it was in the back of my mind, but I hadn't really faced up to that issue until now.

I guess what I really need is advice on power connectors, since my bare board doesn't have a normal plug. Can someone supply me with some good search terms to help me with that?

[Bok]

Are you talking about the board I sent you?

[magnav0x]

Can someone supply me with some good search terms to help me with that?

Hrm, I'd hate to be caption obvious here....but it really is obvious. Why not search for "Opteron power supply". :umm:

Here is a hint. And if it doesn't help I don't know if anyone will be able to. Goto Newegg.com They have everything you could ever need.

[Shish]

Not a problem running Windoze and Tux machines on the same lan, just don`t expect them to talk to each other too much.
I think you`ve got a bit too much going on there at one time and should split up the bits and solve each problem individually.
Reckon you`re taking too big a bite in one go.
Secret of problem solving, divide and conquer and if that don`t work, go find somebody who knows more than God.

[jasong]

Not a problem running Windoze and Tux machines on the same lan, just don`t expect them to talk to each other too much.
I think you`ve got a bit too much going on there at one time and should split up the bits and solve each problem individually.
Reckon you`re taking too big a bite in one go.
Secret of problem solving, divide and conquer and if that don`t work, go find somebody who knows more than God.
I do, in fact, intend to divide and conquer. But I feel like the power supply and the kvm switch are obvious needs, even if I don't use them for a month or two.

And yes, Bok, it's the board you sent me.

[Bok]

I have no idea where you got that it was an opteron board. It's an Abit NF7 with an XP2800 I sent you. I takes a standard PSU, though IIRC it needs one with the additional 4pin plug as well (most have this nowadays).

Bok

[jasong]

I have no idea where you got that it was an opteron board. It's an Abit NF7 with an XP2800 I sent you. I takes a standard PSU, though IIRC it needs one with the additional 4pin plug as well (most have this nowadays).

Bok
Hmmmm, I must've gotten confused. /me goes to look at the board. Oops, my bad.

Okay, neither me nor my father are experts at this type of thing. Should I take the board with me to an electronics store? I don't want to screw up.

Also, if I decide the electronics store is too expensive, would it be a bad idea to slip an extra helpful person a fiver for their trouble? I know most of these stores hate the idea of somebody coming in, pawing their stuff, and then going to the Internet to save money.

[jasong]

I guess I killed the thread.

Anyhow, my KVM switch is supposed to arrive on Thursday. That's when I plan to start my adventures in "Linuxland."

If the news reports a mushroom cloud over central Arkansas, it's probably my fault.:jester: