[[Read part 1]][a_100909150243] [[Read part 2]][a_100909150320]

In part one we ordered our bits, in part 2 we checked our boxes, got ourselves ready and mounted the motherboard and CPU. In this segment we’ll cover the fan, RAM and hard drive installation.

## Cooling the CPU ##

The trouble with servers and their low profile, compact cases is that there is rarely room for case fans and next to no space for CPU fans. Cooling is a real issue in servers because of this and has left server manufacturers with little choice but to build in the noisiest turbines and blowers imaginable for both the power supplies and the CPU’s. But then take these mini server chassis, 1/3 the typical size, and you have got one serious cooling problem.

This was very evident recently with this very server (as I have actually been using this server for a while now); it had been under heavy load for 3 days while it tried to backup mass amounts of data over NFS. About half way through the job, the CPU overheated forcing me to shut the server down and let it cool for several hours.

Anyhow, lets go back a few months, back to when this server was little more then bits on the kitchen table…

The CPU fan that came with the chip I ordered (see 2.2GHz Dual-Core CPU [part 1][a_100909150243]) was all but completely useless. It was nice and quiet but clearly it would never fit in my 1u server chassis.

### The Wrong Cooling Solution ###

Just for fun I tried mounting just the heat sync that came with the stock fan to see how long it would take the CPU to overheat. It took all of 30 seconds. Don’t try this at home (unless you like spending nervous moments in the BIOS watching the temperature readings climb and listening to warning beeps scream in your ear).

### The Right Cooling Solution ###

Fortunately there is a CPU fan built specifically for these little pint size server chassis.

Unfortunately it appears that I didn’t pictorially document it’s installation, but it’s pretty simple. There are four mounting holes in the motherboard at the four corners of the CPU socket (marked in red in the previous image). Line up the CPU fan over these holes in such a way that your 4 pin power connector to reach one of the CPU fan controllers on the motherboard (refer to your manual for specifics).

Once lined up, carefully press your fan into place making sure not to mess up the thermal paste on the underside of the fan. Secure your fan into place with the supplied mounting hardware.

***NOTE:*** *Your CPU fan mounting hard ware may be such that you need have access to the underside of your motherboard. If this is the case, you may need to temporarily remove your motherboard to do so. Refer to [post 2][a_100909150320] and reverse those directions.*

With the fan securely in place you can now connect the it’s 4 pin connector with the coinciding fan controller on the motherboard. You are looking for a connection like this (it will likely say “FAN 1″, “FAN 2″ or “FAN 3″, etc…)

## Installing the RAM ##

Installing RAM is pretty darn easy and not the most delicate operation. Not to say you shouldn’t take care, but really, if you’ve never installed RAM in any machine in your life, then you likely haven’t bothered to even read this far.

Anyhow, to install the RAM you need to first locate the RAM slots.

Before trying to insert the RAM, you need to fold back the locking tabs.

Align the RAM so that the keyed notch lines up.

With even pressure, push the RAM down until the locking tabs lock into place securing the RAM into the slot.

Repeat the process with any other RAM you wish to install.

## Installing the Hard Drive ##

If you thought installing the RAM was easy, installing the hard drive is even easier. And since you are using a SATA drive (why wouldn’t you be) it really could be the easiest thing you do all day.

Locate the open space left in the chassis that looks big enough for a hard drive. You’ll find four holes in the chassis in that areas that are counter sunk from the underside. Line up the hard drive over those holes, making sure the hard drive connection ports face the back of the server. Secure the hard drive into place with the provided screws.

Included in your kit should have been a few SATA cables (usually red with black ends). You want to connect one end to the SATA bus and the other end to the hard drive. The connections are keyed so you can’t mess it up.

Out of the rats nest of wires being birthed from the power supply you need to find a collection of wires that terminate thusly:

That same bundle of wires is likely to include one of these used to power other devices such as CD ROMS and IDE’s:

Connect the SATA power terminal into the pack of the hard drive.

### What’s Next? ###

In the next installment I want to cover connecting the power and the control panel to the motherboard, booting up for the first time and digging around in the BIOS.

In future posts I’ll cover installing Ubuntu Server, administration, ssh, web serving and file serving and tying it all in with a Mac.

[[Read part 1]][a_100909150243] [[Read part 2]][a_100909150320] [[Other server related articles]][a_100909151327]

[tags]how to,build,micro,server[/tags]

[a_100909150243]: http://adam.merrifield.ca/2010/02/10/building-a-micro-server-part-1/
[a_100909150320]: http://adam.merrifield.ca/2010/09/08/building-a-micro-server-–-part-2/
[a_100909151327]: http://adam.merrifield.ca/2009/09/29/imac-g3-web-server-part-1/

[(Missed part 1?)][a_100210204320]

#### EDITORS NOTE: ####

> I started writing this quite some time ago. I’m not sure why I didn’t finished it, but I found it here, half written so I will finish what I started and and then maybe move on to other server related blog posts

Let cut straight to the part where I *finally* have all the parts to make a micro server (don’t get me started on UPS’ leave-it-at-the-door policy)…

For those of you who have built your own computers before this is likely nothing new. In fact, building a server, small or otherwise, is arguably easier since everything generally fits on one plane and finger contortions are not required.

For those of you who haven’t done this sort of thing before, don’t fret. If you can unscrew the battery cover on you kids favorite toy, then you are fully qualified to build a server.

## Getting Started ##

Make yourself a comfortable work area. A kitchen table will do provided you cover it with adequate matting or a table cloth to prevent dings and scratches to the tables finish.

Ground yourself. This is kind of tricky at home but static shocks can do some serious damage to chips and boards. Ideally you want to be wearing a grounding strap that is connected to ground… but at home, occasionally touching the steel chassis of a toaster (cooled down) or microwave will help ensure you don’t hold a static charge. It can also help if you go barefoot as slippers and/or socks can build up excess static charges.

Before opening any of the boxes you want to look them over and then look them over again. Check for damage, check for correct serial numbers, cross reference everything with your order… look over those boxes with a fine tooth comb because once you have broken those seals those products are yours for good. Most electronics dealers are pretty strict on their return policies.

## Taking Stock ##

Once you’ve given the boxes the once-over, you need to open each box and double check its contents are intact and all accounted for. Check for damage on each of the components. Compare what’s in the box with what’s in the manual. Count all your cables and so forth.

You also need to find out what tools you should have handy. You shouldn’t really need anything more then a Phillips screw driver, but you might find a few pairs of pliers useful as well. Even having a small toolbox full of little tools nearby won’t hurt.

## The Server Case ##

It’s the thing that your going to stuff the other things into, so it makes sense that we start there. Unbox your server chassis, and if you haven’t done so already, give it and all it’s parts a once over.

If all looks well then open the chassis and familiarize yourself with the surroundings. Be sure to read the manual first. It’s just a few screws, but still. Once removed, put the cover in a safe place. You won’t be needing it for a while.

On the inside you should see a power supply (or a place for one if it’s not integrated), a control panel, some bundles wires, ribbon, etc… that’s pretty much it. So let’s move on.

## Mounting the Mother Board ##

Locate the mounting stanchions on base of the server chassis:

Lower the motherboard into the case over these stanchions:

Position the motherboard carefully until the I/O lines up as it should:

Locate the mounting holes so that they are directly over the stanchions:

Carefully screw the motherboard into place:

Be sure to use all of the mounting points available to the motherboard.

## Installing the CPU ##

Placing the CPU is likely the most critical part. There are a lot of pins you can mess up on both the chip itself and the socket that you are placing it into. So please do this with care, lining up the CPU in accordance with it’s keyed (nothced) placement:

Next you want to close the cover (1) and lock it into place (2). Don’t force it. If it doesn’t feel right then make sure that it’s positioned properly.

### What’s next? ###

That’s all we’re going to cover for part 2. In part 3 we’ll cover installing the special CPU fan, RAM and the hard drive. In part 4 we’ll cover cable connections, powering the bus, booting and the BIOS.

In future posts I’ll cover installing Ubuntu Server, administration, ssh, web serving and file serving and tying it all in with a Mac.

[a_100210204320]: http://adam.merrifield.ca/2010/02/10/building-a-micro-server-part-1/ “Adam Merrifield { the collective – the collective thoughts and web works of adam merrifield}”

I am writing this post for my own sanity and not for anything of great importance to anyone else. Every time I change my networking setup — as would be the case right now, in the midst of me moving into the new office — I always lose my server. I don’t *lose* it as in can’t physically find it, I just lose it on the network.

Each time this happens I go searching for the bash commands to aid in the finding of my server. I need the IP address for my server because I don’t use it like I would any other machine with a keyboard and monitor — I access the server with secure shell or ssh.

I keep thinking that I wrote this all down (or blogged about it) but that never seems to be the case, so here goes…

To find or discover all the active IP addresses (and their MAC addresses) on the network:

$ arp -a

Once I’ve found the IP I am after (i.e. 10.0.1.5 or 192.168.2.5) I am free to ssh into it with:

$ ssh [email protected]