Machine Room Setup

[Peter Sartwell]

Hi Max, in general I don’t move CPU’s out of suites unless the CPU or storage is loud or hot. It’s simpler for me to manage as a one-man tech department. Our MacPro’s are very quiet, and easy to troubleshoot on the spot, and we have a Unity to store the media.

As Bob, Drew and Andrew have noted the extender is a possible failure point. Actually it’s a team of failure points- connectors, power supplies, additional cables, and physical mounts.

The biggest negative consequence of this is the additional time required to troubleshoot and manage the fixes to extension systems. This additional time is not to be underestimated, because as Murphy would have it, failures occur at the most expensive times, or in the middle of another problem on the system. Keeping spares is essential, because not being able to type or mouse is one of the worst problems for a client and sys admin under pressure (makes remote admin very important).

There are some interesting advantages to getting CPU’s out of suites though. Less chance of physical harm from users, and looking much cleaner come to mind. So long as the capacity A/C in the machine room exceeds the BTU output of the machines, and you have a thermal alarm of some kind you’re safe from overheating.

For extenders, one important spec is maximum screen resolutions or single- vs. dual- link for DVI. The way things are going, it’s easy to spec one that’s okay now, but won’t be later on with an upgraded system. Aim high.

And the Gefen DVI extenders without Gefen cables have been dodgy- or I should say sparkly- for me also. I’m sure it was my fault, though 😉

[Bob Zelin]

Peter writes –

And the Gefen DVI extenders without Gefen cables have been dodgy- or I should say sparkly- for me also. I’m sure it was my fault, though

REPLY – of course it was your fault, Peter. And you are the ONLY person in the world who has seen “sparkly” images on the Gefen extenders. It’s your “bad” cables, bad MAC, bad motherboards, and you don’t know how to hookup the Gefen equipment ! No one but you has had these problems. :))

This is the #1 reason why Creative Cow must exist. A public forum like this is the ONLY way that “we” as a community will ever be able to be aware of common problems, that the manufacturer insists that is OUR fault, and that “no one else has ever reported a problem like this, except you”.

Bob Zelin

[Walter Soyka]

[Bob Zelin] “This is the #1 reason why Creative Cow must exist. A public forum like this is the ONLY way that “we” as a community will ever be able to be aware of common problems, that the manufacturer insists that is OUR fault, and that “no one else has ever reported a problem like this, except you”.”

It was certainly eye-opening to read this thread. I see Gefen gear for DVI everywhere I go and I just assumed they had earned their place as the gold standard. I had no idea support was so unsupportive.

Walter Soyka
Principal & Designer at Keen Live
Motion Graphics, Widescreen Events, Presentation Design, and Consulting
RenderBreak Blog – What I’m thinking when my workstation’s thinking
Creative Cow Forum Host: Live & Stage Events

[Eric Jurgenson]

Check this out:
https://forums.creativecow.net/readpost/132/860682