SUPERMICRO SYS-5015A-H 1U Intel Atom 330 Dual-Core 1.6GHz Dual Gigabit LAN Server Barebone

Pros: -Low power consumption
-Enough grunt to keep multiple strong encryption IPsec VPNs running
-Great hardware support for linux/bsd
-Silent fan mode is more than good enough to keep it relatively well cooled

Cons: No riser for either the PCI-express or PCI slots.

Pros: Running Zentyal (Ubuntu 10.04 LTS base).

See previous review. 2 X 2GB memory solved all problems. Will run with that 4GB configuration.

Have it configured as a file server and print server on my network. Hooked up an 80GB SSD and a 3.5 TB LVM volume.

Running like clockwork. If you don't need massive CPU power and like small form factor and low energy usage and quietness then you'll like this unit.

Cons: None really.

Unless you are looking for bigger server with more power and more options. But then you wouldn't be interested in this product to begin with.

Other Thoughts: Great little setup. Probably would like the IPMI on the newer unit SuperMicro sells but this one is pretty solid.

Pros: Convenient size for home use.
Can be used for a variety of applications

Cons: Lack of included riser board
Lack of included 2.5" drive mounts
Minimal amount of USB ports makes initial configuration difficult

Biggest Gripe:
SUPPORT. I own 4 of theses systems, one has a possibly failed temperature sensor as it goes into the overheating panic mode within a few minutes of operation. I sent in an RMA in 09/29/2011 and shipped it and followed through with the process. The last contact was received on 12/13/2011.
I have made multiple attempts to contact support regarding the RMA and have not heard anything. (as of 4/26/2012)

Other Thoughts: If the atrocious support did not turn me away from the SuperMicro brand, I would still buy additional systems as needed given the few options available for a small rackmount server

Pros: Nice for the price.

Works out of the box

Trying some old 2 X 1GB OCZ memory.

Will not pass Memtest+ 4.20 or 4.10 but probably due to cra**y OCZ memory I have laying around.

Have some G-Skill DDR2-800 2X2GB on order and will update compatibility when it comes in the mail.

Installed Ubuntu 11.10 desktop and server no problem and have done about 48 hours of burn-in on each. No problems there either.

Using a 1 TB Enterprise Fujitsu SATA HD.

Cons: Not passing Memtest. But not a big deal. I suspect RAM I just had laying around is the culprit and still installs Ubuntu fine.

Am very nervous about power supply though. I hooked up DVD/CD burner for OS install to the 200W internal PS and the thing just started cooking. Might have fried the DVD/CD drive but it appears that the 1U Server and PS are fine.

I would strongly recommend separate power source for the DVD/CD Drive if you want to hook up such temporarily to the unit for OS install action.

If you have OS on USB thumb drive - that may be safer option.

Could have been the DVD/CD Drive but I find this not likely. The unit should be able to power a CD / DVD drive with the included 200 W PS. Be careful with hooking up anything other than hard drive to the internal PS.

Pros: Size, efficiency, USB port on motherboard, doesn't run particularly hot (well, mine don't, anyway)

Cons: Many of the motherboard's features, including the majority of its SATA ports, are wasted by the server case. That said, you can connect eSATA-to-SATA adapters to the unused (non-multi-lane) SATA ports via the case's unused (but pre-scored) cutouts and dangle them out the back of the unit if looks aren't that big a deal.

Other Thoughts: Mobo USB port makes this a good candidate for FreeNAS or similar. I'm also using one of these as a movie server (My Movies for WMC). I recently upgraded to a four port RocketRAID 644 PCI-E card and am now running FOUR multi-disk arrays full of DVD and Blu-Ray disc images from this modest little Atom box. What a great unit.

Pros: Although the specification from NewEgg and Supermicro states that 2 GB of RAM is the maximum configuration, but this is not correct.

The product incorporates the Intel 945GC Northbridge, and this is one of the very few 945-type Northbridges which support 4 GB of RAM.

Other supported configurations include:

1) 1 GB as 1 x 1 GB,

2) 2 GB as 1 x 2 GB or 2 x 1 GB,

3) 3 GB as 1 x 2 GB + 1 x 2 GB and

4) 4 GB as 2 x 2 GB.

I have tested the 1 x 2 GB and 2 x 2 GB configurations.

I have also developed Lion and Server Lion DSDTs which support all configurations (each RAM configuration requires a different DSDT). These can be found on tonymacx86's site and are used with UniBeast and MultiBeast to effect a Lion or Server Lion installation.

Additionally, the product's ICH7R Southbridge supports RAIDs, and two internal 2.5" drives, using an accessory bracket, and two external drives are possible.

Cons: None

Other Thoughts: This product is exceptionally well-designed and is certainly suitable for use as a web server, where Server Lion would be one obvious choice.

However, with the installation of the available PCI-e "riser" card accessory, one or even two external SATA drive housings with integral "port multipliers" may be used to dramatically expand the amount of data, either as JBODs or as RAIDs, which this product can host as the ICH7R supports RAIDs.

I would recommend the Rosewill 4-drive housing and its included Highpoint RAIDRocket card. I own and use two of these are am quite pleased with them.

Pros: Compact, low power consumption server product which is compatible with Lion (10.7, 10.7.1 and 10.7.2, at least) and Server lion (10.7, 10.7.1 and 10.7.2, at least).

Note: I built my Supermicro Atom 330 Server Lion using a single channel 2 GB DDR2 stick (the GMCH supports 2 GB, maximum), but a dual channel 2 x 1 GB = 2 GB kit is on order.

I built mine as 1 TB, partitioned as 20 GB as Server Lion, 20 GB as Server Lion Backup and the entire remainder as Server Lion Data.

The first partition (Server Lion) was installed as Lion 10.7 using the product from the Apple Store, then was updated to 10.7.2 using the Combo Update and was finally converted to Server Lion 10.7.2 using the Server Lion product, also from the Apple Store. Thereafter, the Server Lion partition was cloned to the Server Lion Backup partition using CCC.

Cons: None, really.

The install of Lion/Server Lion is not especially difficult, but it is not as straightforward as one might otherwise imagine because of the special kernel which is necessary to support the Atom processor.

The mach_kernel must remain named mach_kernel otherwise the Software Updates will fail to install.

The mach_kernel_atom.10.7.1 must remain named mach_kernel_atom.10.7.1 otherwise the Software Updates will replace it.

This may appear to be counter-intuitive, but it works.

It may be helpful to have access to a second system. The one which you used to build the UniBeast USB flash drive is the logical choice.

Other Thoughts: In order to install Lion, you will need UniBeast 1.0.0 and MultiBeast for Lion. You will also need the mach_kernel_atom.10.7.1. The special custom DSDT for Lion, UniBeast and MultiBeast for Lion can be found on tonymacx86's site. The mach_kernel_atom.10.7.1 is available elsewhere. Google will find it.

A special DSDT is required to support Lion and Server Lion, and is customized for the Supermicro Atom 330 product, only.

Everything works including the GMA950 display with CI and QE and all resolutions and both LANs. I operate my display at 1920 x 1200 and 60 Hz.

Pros: I purchased this box to function as a pfSense firewall and everything worked right out of the box with minimal configuration. Mounted a spare SATA drive in it, booted from USB to install pfSense 2.0-Release and all was up and running in about 30 minutes. I had read earlier to double check the memory combo and purchased the correct 240 pin memory. The machine is very quiet.

Cons: No major complaints for my application as a firewall appliance. Wish I would have made this purchase earlier!

Other Thoughts: As others have mentioned, the case does seem to get a little warm for my tastes, so I will add another fan to it very soon. No regrets with this purchase.

Pros: Small, light, low power, quiet

Cons: No speaker, DDR2 memory (max 2 x1GB)

Other Thoughts: I sent one back because it didn't beep. The manual lists the beep codes for POST failures. But the motherboard doesn't actually have a speaker, or anything that can beep, and a second unit works fine without beeping. I should have guessed! Anyway, in the server rack a beep wouldn't be much help.

Pros: Small, Light, low power consumtion

Cons: DOA

Other Thoughts: Draws 21 watts with no disk, but didn't beep or have any video. I sent it back for replacement.