Funtoo Compute Initiative

For many years, the Funtoo project has been using Funtoo Linux for its entire infrastructure. A few years ago, we began to allow Funtoo Linux users to use our OpenVZ-based] infrastructure, which you can learn more about at Funtoo Hosting.

The 'Funtoo Compute Initiative is an effort to document how Funtoo sets up servers and its container infrastructure, including everything from ordering of bare metal, to deployment, operation and maintenance. In short, it's our effort to share all our tricks with you, so you can use Funtoo Linux to quickly and inexpensively deploy very powerful hosting and container-based compute solutions.

Reference Hardware

The hardware that the Funtoo Project has used for its last two server deployments are documented below:

1. HP Proliant DL 160 Generation 6 (G6), with 48GB RAM and two 6-core Intel Xeon x5650 (2.66 GHz Westmere) processors (25 CPU threads total.) Cost: Approx $750 USD used (off-lease) on eBay (Other alternatives: DL 360 G7 -- search eBay for the best off-lease options.)
2. Crucial MX200 1TB Solid State Disk. Cost: Approx $330
3. 1 tube of high-quality thermal grease

The above hardware allows you to build a 1U, 12-core, 24-thread, 48GB compute platform with 1TB of SSD storage for right around $1100. Once receiving the off-lease server, it's recommended that you remove the CPU heat sinks, clean them and the tops of the CPUs with alcohol cleaning pads, and re-apply high-quality thermal grease. Based on my experience, the thermal grease on off-lease servers is often in need of re-application.

Place the 1TB in drive bay 1 as a single ATA disk, and install the Intel64-Westmere build of Funtoo Linux...