Since I'm done building the hex-core, I decided that I could use the dual-core to host the web and mail services currently being served by a slower single-core Sempron. The dual-core nicely has twice the storage (500GB instead of 250GB) and four-times the RAM (8GB instead of 2GB). Most importantly, the dual-core hasn't barked at the software upgrades. And the software on the dual-core is also mostly of the 64-bit variety.

Another catalyst for making this change is that the single-core, situated in the nice, cool basement, has developed a slight fan wheeze. Without taking the case apart (it's busy, and I didn't want to interrupt it if I could help it), it seems to be the power-supply fan. The only other fan in the case is the CPU fan (there isn't one on the low-end video card that's in there).

There's really nothing (else) wrong with the single-core machine. Probably a couple bursts of well-placed air, or a $35 replacement, and the PSU will be just fine. It isn't behaving with regard to the distribution upgrade, but that's part of why I prefer to do a low-level upgrade, starting fresh. After moving the services, I'll probably wipe it and give it a stand-alone job. Maybe as a back-up server (as in disaster recovery, not high-availability spare), or for a website that could benefit from SSL or maybe even a dedicated DB server or something... I always have such ideas...thus the four "could be" systems on the shelf in the basement...and the two under my desk...

Anyway, it's a busy little box. It runs DNS, mail, web, database, and a few other services. I've got the DNS copied over (and with just a few registrar changes it'll be used from the new server). I've got sendmail installed, but not yet configured, and still need to get SpamAssassin installed. Likewise, I've got Apache and Tomcat installed, but am waiting for the 20-ish GB file to finish copying. Yet to be done is to get MySQL installed and restore those databases. I've also got to move the mail data and get the users configured.

Now a back-up server sounds a little more useful than ever. And maybe it's time to work on centralizing my users.