In 2001 we started a GSM-operator on Compaq Server (it was before they were bought by HP) with whole 1Gb(!) of RAM and 2x10Gb SCSI disks.
It served up to 70K of subscribers, call center with 30-40 employees, payment systems integration, everything.
Next was 8 socket Intel server. We were never able to saturate it's CPUs - 300 Mhz (or was it 400 ?) bus was a stopper. It served 350-400K of subscribers.
And next: we changed architecture and used 2 servers with 2 socket Intel CPUs again but that was time when Ghz frequencies appeared on market. We dreamed about 4xAMD server. We came to ~1 mln of active subscribers.
Nowadays: every phone has more power than it was those servers.
Typical react application consumes more resources than billing system.
Gigabyte here, gigabyte there - nobody counts them.
It served up to 70K of subscribers, call center with 30-40 employees, payment systems integration, everything.
Next was 8 socket Intel server. We were never able to saturate it's CPUs - 300 Mhz (or was it 400 ?) bus was a stopper. It served 350-400K of subscribers.
And next: we changed architecture and used 2 servers with 2 socket Intel CPUs again but that was time when Ghz frequencies appeared on market. We dreamed about 4xAMD server. We came to ~1 mln of active subscribers.
Nowadays: every phone has more power than it was those servers. Typical react application consumes more resources than billing system. Gigabyte here, gigabyte there - nobody counts them.
/grumpy oldster mode