Server/CPU recommendations for ESXi host for Blue Iris, Linux media/file/web server

[itm]

I currently run an ESXi 6.7.0 host with 3 guests:

- Windows Server 2022 running Blue Iris NVR (v5)

- Lubuntu 20 for Logitech Media Server, Plex Media server, Home Assistant, VPN, Mediawiki, Web Server and file server

- Windows 10 for PVR software & general testbed environment.

My current hardware is a HP Microserver Gen 8 with Intel Xeon E3-1265L V2 2.5 GHz, 16GB RAM.

While the performance is just about OK, RAM cannot be upgraded beyond 16GB, and I'd like to at least double that. I've also found that Blue Iris can easily consume excess amounts of CPU; when I tried to run it on the Windows 10 VM it consumed 80-100% CPU the whole time, rendering the host un-usable. I don't get this problem on Windows Server 2022, which is pretty much the only reason that I still run that guest O/S.

Can anyone recommend a good upgrade which has onboard graphics to support Blue Iris, and which will support at least 32GB RAM? I'm probably looking at used hardware. Budget not fixed, but probably up to £500-1K.

I'd also really like something with lights-out remote access. My server is in the attic, and I frequently use iLo to reboot it when necessary, or simply to get access to the console.

 

[biggen]

If remote management is a sticking point, then used server hardware (Dell, HP, Supermicro) is going to be pretty much all you will be able to get.

I’ve been running Proxmox for years off just consumer gear. BI runs great in a win 10 VM with only 6GB of RAM on Proxmox.

 

[itm]

I’ve been running Proxmox for years off just consumer gear. BI runs great in a win 10 VM with only 6GB of RAM on Proxmox.

As a matter of interest, what CPU are you using for Proxmox, and how many cameras?

 

[bp2008]

PiKVM is an option for remote management of nearly any PC. That is probably your safest option. Also I wouldn't recommend keeping your eggs in the Vmware basket since... VMware vSphere ESXi free edition is dead | Hacker News I've been using Proxmox at work for several years now and it has been quite nice. Not perfect but neither was ESXi when we used that.

There do exist specialized motherboards for AMD AM5 (Ryzen 7000, 9000) with built-in remote management capabilities (IPMI) and ECC memory support, but they are a bit expensive. Gigabyte and AsrockRack both make some. Based on a little looking around this morning it looks like AsrockRack has been more popular but they appear to have a lot of stability issues lately. Gigabyte's boards don't seem to have a firmware update (yet) with Ryzen 9000 support so it would probably be wise, if you go this route, to just stick with a 7000 series CPU for now. Even the cheapest 7000 series CPU should run circles around the old Xeon E3-1265L V2.

GIGABYTE MC13-LE0 Micro MATX Server Motherboard, AMD Ryzen™ 7000 Series Processors, AM5, AMD B650E. - Newegg.com

Buy GIGABYTE MC13-LE0 Micro MATX Server Motherboard, AMD Ryzen™ 7000 Series Processors, AM5, AMD B650E. with fast shipping and top-rated customer service. Once you know, you Newegg!

www.newegg.com

ASRock Rack B650D4U MicroATX for Ryzen 7000 processors

I have the same problem: board bought in June and bricked itself last week. First it rebooted itself several times, then it stopped post-in at all (dr debug code 00). BIOS and BMC were not upgraded recently (BIOS is 10.15, BMC is 4.10.0), IPMI is still working but shows hardware as powered off...

forums.servethehome.com

 

[bp2008]

More info on cheap(ish) AMD server boards:

2024 AM5 Server builds (limited motherboard overview)

Hey all, With great interest I read all 7 pages (though probably only 3 useful) about the AM5 offerings. To keep the spirit of the thread (less so on the original post) going, a new thread to have some discussions about server idea's offerings for the AM5 platform. Which should be interesting...

forums.servethehome.com

H13SAE-MF - EPYC 4000 / Ryzen 9000 RAM options

About to buy H13SAE-MF. I have not decided if I will go down the route of Ryzen or EPYC 4004. The new Ryzen 9000 launching at the end of thus month look to be same price or cheaper but with anywhere up to 20% performance increase. For my use cases I can't see why I should use EPYC 4004 other...

forums.servethehome.com

Ryzen AM5 boards with IPMI

Hi Guys, Anyone heard of any news about any vendors getting a Ryzen AM5 board with IPMI out early ?

forums.servethehome.com

 

[biggen]

As a matter of interest, what CPU are you using for Proxmox, and how many cameras?

6 cams. Host cpu is a Ryzen 1600AF

 

[itm]

Thanks for all the feedback. I've decided to go with a Ryzen 5700G, along with a BliKVM 4.0 for remote management. It looks like it will offer a significant performance boost over my current setup, while being significantly cheaper than some of the AM5 alternatives. I've also decided to migrate from ESXi to Proxmox (!!)

The 5700G does have an on-board GPU, but I suspect that it may be a life's work trying to pass it through to the Blue Iris/Windows Server VM, so I'll rely on the 5700G's core processor to do the heavy lifting.

 

[duplo]

PiKVM is an option for remote management of nearly any PC. That is probably your safest option. Also I wouldn't recommend keeping your eggs in the Vmware basket since... VMware vSphere ESXi free edition is dead | Hacker News I've been using Proxmox at work for several years now and it has been quite nice. Not perfect but neither was ESXi when we used that.

There do exist specialized motherboards for AMD AM5 (Ryzen 7000, 9000) with built-in remote management capabilities (IPMI) and ECC memory support, but they are a bit expensive. Gigabyte and AsrockRack both make some. Based on a little looking around this morning it looks like AsrockRack has been more popular but they appear to have a lot of stability issues lately. Gigabyte's boards don't seem to have a firmware update (yet) with Ryzen 9000 support so it would probably be wise, if you go this route, to just stick with a 7000 series CPU for now. Even the cheapest 7000 series CPU should run circles around the old Xeon E3-1265L V2.

GIGABYTE MC13-LE0 Micro MATX Server Motherboard, AMD Ryzen™ 7000 Series Processors, AM5, AMD B650E. - Newegg.com

Buy GIGABYTE MC13-LE0 Micro MATX Server Motherboard, AMD Ryzen™ 7000 Series Processors, AM5, AMD B650E. with fast shipping and top-rated customer service. Once you know, you Newegg!

www.newegg.com

ASRock Rack B650D4U MicroATX for Ryzen 7000 processors

I have the same problem: board bought in June and bricked itself last week. First it rebooted itself several times, then it stopped post-in at all (dr debug code 00). BIOS and BMC were not upgraded recently (BIOS is 10.15, BMC is 4.10.0), IPMI is still working but shows hardware as powered off...

forums.servethehome.com

problem of most of these workstation/cheap server boards is, they only support udimm ecc, which is not that cheap.

also most need pro or X ryzen , G versions mostly not supported or have problems. G versions dont support ECC ram

 

[bp2008]

I've also decided to migrate from ESXi to Proxmox (!!)

Last I checked, which was years ago, it is possible to migrate ESXi VMs to Proxmox but it requires a bit of command line work. My notes mention using ovftool on the ESXi machine to export disk images in ovf format, and qm importovf on the proxmox machine to import them, but the process may be improved since then. Migrate to Proxmox VE - Proxmox VE

The 5700G does have an on-board GPU, but I suspect that it may be a life's work trying to pass it through to the Blue Iris/Windows Server VM, so I'll rely on the 5700G's core processor to do the heavy lifting.

A GPU isn't needed for Blue Iris unless you want it to output to a local display or if you need the GPU for hardware acceleration (for codeproject AI or something).

 

[parad0xx]

A GPU isn't needed for Blue Iris

I've only started poking around watching reading and learning BI, but that is the most comforting news I've heard so far because it would render my entire server useless as of yesterday when my 5600G went to heaven and an angel 3700x landed in its place!

 

[Kameraad]

About the gpu passtrough, going a bit off topic here but i do want a gpu for blue iris. I have a couple of hdmi extenders showing my cameras on 3 tv's in the house. Ive had trouble with videocard passthrough in the past. Everyone ive tried started glitching after a while. Two months ago i ordered a cable matters usb hdmi adapter and its working great. The easy thing is that in the proxmox webgui you can just pick the adapter. You do need to install a driver in windows, but its up and running within 5 minutes.

 

[bp2008]

About the gpu passtrough, going a bit off topic here but i do want a gpu for blue iris. I have a couple of hdmi extenders showing my cameras on 3 tv's in the house. Ive had trouble with videocard passthrough in the past. Everyone ive tried started glitching after a while. Two months ago i ordered a cable matters usb hdmi adapter and its working great. The easy thing is that in the proxmox webgui you can just pick the adapter. You do need to install a driver in windows, but its up and running within 5 minutes.

Wow, that is actually brilliant to pass through a USB display adapter to a VM. I bet it has way higher CPU overhead than a "real GPU" but overall better energy efficiency almost certainly, and with simpler drivers that would be less likely to have a problem with passthrough. Nice.