Server specs

Hi,
I am getting ready to get a server for web hosting.
(that would run Linux,Apache,Sendmail,PHP,Zend,MySQL,...)
and colocate it.

I am leaning toward Dell PowerEdgeTM 1950 III 1U
Processor: 2x Quad Core (E5430) 2.66 2x6MB 1333 Mhz
Memory: 16GB
HD Controller: Perc6/I X2 RAID 1
Hard Drive: 2x300GB SAS 15K

from serverconsultantsstore.net

I am trying to figure out what kind of server I need and one of many thing I do not understand
is whether I need 1-socket or 2-socket option.
What is the purpose of socket(hardware) on server?
For what purpose would I need 2 or more sockets as oppose to just one.

Question 2:
In about 2 years I would get another server to work just as web server and
I would use the old one(the one I am getting now) for
MySQL database.

Is there any special hardware that I need to order now so that I would be able to transform
web application server to database server?
How are those servers connected?(web server with database server)

Question 3:
Network Adapter
Should I get
Intel Pro 1000PT Single Port
or
Intel PRO 1000PT Dual Port
Why would I need Dual Port?

Why have you chosen that company?

Looks like you are paying about 4 grand for that.

I suggest going to newegg.com

price out a nice barebones box alliowing dual cpus(motherboard and case) for about 700 bucks.
Price out 16gb ram
price out some enterprise drives
price out a raid controller if you do not want to do software raid.
price out 2 qad core harpertowns, buy two of them

then realize you may save over 2000 dollars and have a better computer.

The box comes all set up. You plug in the drives in a hot swap bay, pop in the cpus, slide in the ram, and if you bought a hardware raid, add that too...done.
Ready to go.

I guarantee you will beat dell by 2 grand and still have twice the cpu, better ram, more drive space and number of drives.

And still have warranty on everything.

2 cpus allow you to keep functioning if one dies on you. If you only have one, your server is dead til it is replaced.

Getting a new server in two years will depend on how busy you are and if you need that type of balancing. You may not need it. a good computer now will last you a long time as a webserver.
You will have two years to look into using one as a database server and one as a webserver. Many options are available now, and more will be available in two years I imagine.

Network interface should come onboard and should be fine for use as is. If you buy one and do not use onboard, just buy anything from a quality company. With two you will have a backup if one should fail (onboard or plug in).

IF you only have two drives and it appears you do, I am assuming you will want to go raid1 mirror. Using software raid for this, in my opinion, is better, quicker, and if it is a webserver, better for performance. And one less hardware item that will blow up.