Questions and Answers about Purchasing a New Server

The role a server will play determines the hardware you need. A small-office print server, which just routes print jobs, need be nothing more than a low-end desktop PC. An enterprise system that might support more than a thousand clients and perform database management or e-business transactions requires a high-end, multiprocessor workhorse. Whatever its configuration or name, the main goal of any server is to supply information to multiple devices on demand. The key to determining the proper hardware lies in knowing the type of information the server will handle and how many clients will send requests to the server at any given time. Typically, You wouldn't use an old PC as an application server, since it would never be able to handle the processing load, and a dual-processor Itanium would be overkill if used strictly as a fax server.

The type of data you serve and to whom you serve it determines the features you need. Factors such as processing power, storage capacity, and availability are part of the decision process though price and scalability must also be considerations. The following are some of the basic features to keep in mind when configuring a server.

• Processor Entry-level Windows-based servers are fairly common in small and medium-size businesses. You'll often find them equipped with Intel Itanium or AMD MP Processors.. The Intel P4 supports speeds of up to 3.2GHz, dual processing, 512K of L2 cache up to an 800-MHz system bus and can include Hyper-Threading technology. The AMD Athlon MP supports speeds of up to 1.7 GHz, 256K of L2 cache, a 266-MHz bus, and two-way processing. Intel's Xeon processors are likely to be found in mid-range systems. They are dual-processor enabled, run at speeds of up to 2.4 GHz, contain 512K of L2 cache, and have 400-MHz system buses. Xeon processors also get a performance boost thanks to Intel's Hyper-Threading technology, which enables the chip to execute two threads (sets of program instructions) simultaneously.

• Memory ECC (error correction code) memory is the most common type in servers. It contains special circuitry that can detect and correct single-bit errors without halting the system. Entry-level servers often have up to 2GB of memory, which is sufficient for small e-mail and workgroup applications; larger enterprise servers can support 16GB of memory or more for handling high-end database and math-intensive programs. The right balance of processing power and memory depends on user load and on the type of applications running.

• Hard Drives Value-class servers typically offer a single IDE hard drive in their base configurations, but for maximum performance, SCSI—common in mid- to high-level server systems—is recommended. SCSI drives can spin at speeds of 15,000 rpm, as opposed to IDE drives, which max out at 7,200 rpm. A mirrored RAID configuration provides the best protection against data loss, since the same data is written to two drives. If one fails, the data remains intact on the mirrored drive.

• Management & Serviceability Most mid- to high-level servers include enhanced management software that allows administrators to access the server from a remote location and view event logs, perform routine maintenance tasks such as BIOS and software upgrades, and initiate planned server shutdowns. Additional management features let you configure and manage storage devices, monitor processor and disk usage, set parameters for failure predictions, diagnose server problems, and send event alerts via e-mail, pager, and telephone. Additionally, a highly serviceable server usually has a tool less chassis and hot-swappable hard drives and power supplies.

Matching the server's capabilities to the task at hand is important. As with any PC, the hardware configuration plays a major role in pricing. The ability to upgrade as you add clients to your network is as important as getting the proper hardware initially, so look for a server that has several free expansion slots, open drive bays, and even room for an additional processor, if you expect the server to see a significant load increase in the future.

• Value (Entry-Level) Servers up to $2000
For small workgroups with up to 10 users, a single processor-based value server can handle file-sharing, messaging (e-mail), and print-sharing tasks, but it is limited in terms of scalability. There should be at least one hard drive, integrated 10/100 Ethernet, and at least three to five PCI expansion slots, with some available for installing components—additional network cards, third-party RAID (Redundant Array of Independent Disks) controllers, and the like. Servers in the upper end of this class should have dual-processor capability. Most value servers include basic hardware-management utilities for monitoring system health.

• Midrange (General-Purpose) Servers $2000 to $10,000
This class of system can handle a much broader range of tasks than the value group. Depending on the number of clients, a general-purpose server can perform multiple functions, acting as a departmental application, file, and print server and can exist in a cluster configuration (two or more connected servers). Midrange servers may include up to four Pentium 4 or Xeon processors and will support as much as 8GB of memory, up to 10 high-speed SCSI drives in a RAID configuration, and multiple external components. Redundant, hot-pluggable hard drives, fans, and power supplies provide a safety net. In the event one of these fails, the redundant component takes over without disrupting service. They often include enhanced management tools for remote diagnostics, maintenance, and storage configuration.

• Enterprise Servers $10,000 and up
These servers provide the power and reliability needed for round-the-clock operations. They are appropriate for medium-size to large organizations with 500 to 1,000-plus users who depend on large database, data warehousing, and e-commerce applications. These highly scalable workhorse servers are usually found in airlines, banks, government agencies, large retail distribution companies, and universities. A low-end enterprise server can easily cost tens of thousands of dollars, and a full-blown system can take you over the million-dollar mark. But when even a one-hour service disruption can result in serious financial loss, the cost of high availability is justified.