What happened?
One of the two 512MB memory sticks gave out, which meant the server wouldn't even get to the BIOS when switched on. This was difficult to diagnose on site, so I had to take the whole lot back to the office in Chichester.
Why did it happen?
Difficult to tell, but it happened in the same month as three ArgoNet machines in the same facility had similar faults. Overheating at the hosting facility seems the most likely culprit.
What are you going to do about it?
Short term, given the impending Christmas holidays and the lead times on 1U servers it's not possible to bring a replacement online before next year. I'm running Knox on the one remaining stick of memory and hoping for the best.
Medium term, I was due to look for a new server in about February, when I should have the necessary readies. This can't be brought forward much, but I've bought the hard drives and will at least run a backup at home so people can access their stuff.
Long term, a new hosting facility is on the cards for Freedom2 anyway to bring everything closer to the office, and given the 6 hour round trip I had to make twice this week that's sounding quite attractive for the Icon Bar server too.
Once again, sorry for any inconvenience.
Pics: Docklands2