Build Super Micro Server tutorial - Build Super Micro 14" Mini 1u Windows2003 Standard server with AMD/Desktop parts.

This tutorial will show you how to build a Super Micro 1u server with desktop parts based on AMD Athlon 64 X2 4000+

Here is the spec. of my server: AMD Ahtlon 64 X2 4000+ Brisbane 2.1 Ghz Socket AM2 65w Dual Core processor. Asus M2N-MX SE AM2 Nvidia GeForce6100 / nForce430 uATX Motherboard. A-DATA 4GB (2x2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 800 SDRAM (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Desktop Memory. 2x Maxtor 500GB Serial ATA Internal Hard disk. Dynatron A48G 70mm 2 Ball CPU Cooler. SATA power cable (right-angle connetor). SATA data cable (right-angle connector). Front panel 16-pin split cable CBL-0084. SuperMicro CSE-512L Black 14" Mini 1u Rackmount Server Case. Lite-On Silver USB 2.0 External Slim 8x DVD Burner.

First, make sure you have all your parts. It is better for you to purchase all at once to save on the shipping cost. Also make sure you have a external DVD/CD drive so you can install OS via external DVD/CD drive as there is no room for you to install slim DVD/CD drive on Super Micro Mini 1u Rackmount server case. This is the basic layout of how to place everything in the Super Micro Mini 1u Rackmount server case. If you need a lesson on how to put build computer, you should google "how to build PC".

Notice the CPU fan arrow is pointing to the power supply. This is a mistake that I made. You should have the CPU fan arrow point to the direction of the case blower. So the hot air generated by the CPU can be blast out by the case blower.

The hard disk space are very tight to work with. Be gentle and careful when you bend those power and data cable. You might need to remove the case blower first before mounting the hard disks.

Remove the back panel of the server case since we are using none Super Micro motherboard. The back panel will not fit our desktop motherboard. We can now hook up our Super Micro Mini 1u server to monitor, keyboard, mouse, Ethernet cable and external DVD/CD drive to start installing Windows 2003 or any Linux distro. The process is very straight forward. You shouldn't have any problem install either OS with Asus supplied drivers.

My server (in red) at co-location rack cabinet. Since we are using the none Super Micro motherboard. All the front LED will not work, only the power and reset button will function correctly. That's ok. As long as the vital button work.

Server on the rack cabient

The back of the server. Notice how small the Super Micro Mini 1u 14" is compare to other servers on the same rack.

It is not easy to hook up cable when sandwiched by other servers.

That's it!