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Server Buying Guide
We configure Servers for any type of requirement. Files Servers. Print Servers. Web Servers. Database Servers. SAN Servers. NAS Servers. Blade Servers. Virtual Servers. Remote Servers. Network Servers. Depending on your needs we customize processors, memory, storage, back-up devices, networks, cases and enclosures, KVM's, power supplies and software. Contact us to discuss your requirements and we will customize the server that is right for you.
Blade Servers:
The first thing to consider when choosing a blade server is what you’ll be using it for. Complex calculations with large amounts of data will obviously require more powerful blade server systems. Yet some companies still adhere to the policy that more is better, and may end up purchasing computing power they simply don’t need. It’s better to allow for growth later on than pay up front for unnecessary features. One of the distinct advantages of most server racks is scalability: you can add more blades in a rack (and more computing power) as your company grows.
Here are some blade server types and example applications:
  • Single-function blade servers can be described as RISC (Reduced Instruction Set Computers). These simplified servers are generally stripped-down CPUs, sometimes without onboard storage or porting, designed to run single applications. This configuration is ideal for an academic or office environment where each blade can be assigned a specialized task. For example, web hosting, e-mail, scheduling software, and other individual functions can each be hosted on a single blade within a common enclosure.
  • Blade PCs are essentially full-function desktop machines without the desktop. Instead of being housed in a stand-alone chassis at a user workstation, CPU, storage, hard drive, and other components are instead housed on a single blade contained in a central rack. This eliminates both the clutter and heat accumulation problems that may be associated with housing many desktops in a single room. This configuration works well in business environments where office space and individual workstation security are issues, such as central corporate offices with hundreds of workers and workstations sharing a common office space.
  • Enterprise-level blade server configurations are generally used where maximum power must fit into minimal space. These systems often combine multiple racks and require increased compatibility with legacy systems, networks, and software. Digital production studios, as well as high-level stockbrokers or other financial corporations, often require the very large amounts of complex real-time processing power and dedicated memory afforded by these powerful blade server packages.

    With the advent of server virtualization, blade server installations provide even more flexibility and reliability for the systems on which they operate.
  • Intra-server virtualization allows a single physical blade server to be sub-divided and represented as multiple virtual entities. This is ideal in computing environments that accommodate multiple end users, clients, or customers. Users can each be assigned to individual virtual servers that appear as stand-alone devices, but are in fact hosted on a single physical server.

    Inter-server virtualization utilizes the inherent flexibility of blade server systems by allowing specific virtual server functions to be moved from one physical device to another. Since storage and network information are remote and not local to the individual blades, any server in an enclosure can be quickly re-purposed for any given task. This not only provides greater scalability and interoperability for system upgrades, but also allows quick replacement of faulty servers with minimum configuration necessary for replacement devices.
A big concern of any company that uses multiple servers is power consumption. The servers are generally always on and as such tend to consume the most power, directly and indirectly. Servers consume power to run, and also cause power to be consumed in keeping them cool.
What sort of power considerations need to be taken into account?
Blade Servers by their very nature consume far less power than equivalent rack or stand alone servers. As they use less power they generate less heat and consequently less cooling is needed.
As blades are bundled together in enclosures one power supply can service several blades compared to a power supply needed for each rack server. This is a more efficient use of power as there is less wasted electricity when the AC is converted to DC for running the blades.
Cooling can be more efficient too as the cooling system can be precisely directed to where it is needed resulting in a lower power system to achieve the same effect. This translates directly to a bigger IT budget as most IT costs for large server rooms come from cooling.
One other thing that is very obvious is cabling. Cabling is a lot simpler with blade systems and less cables means easier maintenance and less cost plus making future expansion easier. The cost savings in not needing so many switches and patch panels can be significant.
While this is all very true there is a clear drawback to the use of blade servers. Due to the density per rack the total rack will consume more power than an equivalent size rack with say 1RU servers installed in it. This in a large server room could cause significant issues with environmental supply to the room as overall consumption is now higher for power and cooling air, and may require higher capacity UPS equipment to support the higher overall power requirements. This may require relocation of the server room or building modifications to support the extra weight and/or power and cooling requirements. These issues are not of a great concern to smaller sites
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