Before we can investigate tuning options and create a performant Analytics system, we need to have a set of test servers and the capability to rapidly implement a change and compare it to a known baseline.

“Hardware” Options

Cloud

You could choose to use a cloud based setup, AWS, Azure, Google, or Oracle are the main players, but there is also a huge array of smaller providers – see the list at the bottom that i accumulate over time.

PC / Laptop

If you have a powerful enough computer or laptop you can try to run Virtualbox on it. however, you will be limited by its capacity

Home Server

The cheapest and simplest solution is to have your own server. You can go for full rack options, such as HP, Dell, or simple box servers. A nice looking home server is the the Homelab45 – but only available in the US

Check How to get started building a Homelab server in 2024 – Joe Karlsson

I managed to pick up a bargain on Facebook Marketplace. This HP DL380 Gen 8 was less than £100. I added a few drives and memory chips from Techbuyer

My Setup

On the laptop, and pretty much every desktop I have, I use the following:

VS Code – Its an obvious choice for Text editing, especially when connecting to gitHub (or Gitlab)

Including SQL Developer

(I haven’t tested it yet – Hopefully as good as the preview videos suggest

My favourite SSH FTP, X window client

see Mobatek – System and network software for Windows

Don’t forget you need a windows zip client that Oracle themselves use

As a heavy Windows user I rely on Office

Laptop

I recently purchased a 17inch laptop ( I like a big screen )

PCSPECIALIST – Award Winning Custom PC Manufacturer

Cloud Based

I don’t think you can manage any business or blog today without using online services.

Azure – I have the MS Action pack subscription, which is good value for experimenting and lots of server. You get Windows licences, office, and cloud credits.
Oracle Cloud. I am only using the free parts.
Google – I am trying to get off Google – its becoming too expensive
Fasthosts – Web hosting, including this blog!

The above is also supported by various online systems (accountancy, banking etc) but I dont need to cover those!

BTW I did try AWS, it was more expensive and confusing as Oracle cloud.

Server

Its a HP Proliant with huge amount of Cores, Memory and Disks. I got the blade on Facebook Marketplace

It runs Windows Server, and Oracle VirtualBox (which is Free!) which gives me a huge amount of flexibility to spin up servers, Linux or windows (with my MS Maps licence). I use Ansible to automate installs, and Vagrant to deploy prebuilt machines quickly