[bitfolk] Arm servers (Was Re: Re: Hardware refresh and rolling migrations starting soon)

Hi, On Thu, Sep 26, 2024 at 03:58:22PM +0100, Ian via BitFolk Users wrote: I think financially Arm servers still only make sense if you are a hyperscaler that can have them custom made to your specs in bulk. Otherwise the up front outlay for something respectable is still huge. The last two servers I bought for BitFolk were £3,420+VAT each. If there are 50 minimum spec VMs on each, that takes one year of revenue to pay back before any costs are considered (longer after any upgrade in specs). If you look at trying to get about 128G of RAM (I'd like 256G though) and 2x7.68TB of NVMe in 1U and start here: https://www.broadberry.co.uk/arm-ampere-altra-rackmount-servers/cyberserve-… it's £4,300 for the lowest specs before you start adding storage or better NICs. Broadberry are an expensive supplier but it's never yet made sense for me on the basis of initial outlay. Having said that, it might make a difference on the ongoing power usage. Anyway, then yes, as you say, after that there would be the issue that you couldn't just move an amd64 VM to it. People who want Arm architecture I think really want it, and those that aren't expecting it are a bit put off still. I don't think it's for us yet! Thanks, Andy -- https://bitfolk.com/ -- No-nonsense VPS hosting