Servers
Server computers are the lifeblood of any network. Servers provide the
shared resources that network users crave, such as file storage, databases,
e-mail, Web services, and so on. Choosing the equipment you use for your
network’s servers is one of the key decisions you’ll make when you set up a
network. In the following sections, I describe some of the various ways you
can equip your network’s servers.
shared resources that network users crave, such as file storage, databases,
e-mail, Web services, and so on. Choosing the equipment you use for your
network’s servers is one of the key decisions you’ll make when you set up a
network. In the following sections, I describe some of the various ways you
can equip your network’s servers.
What’s important in a server
Here are some general things to keep in mind when picking a server computer
for your network:
Scalability: Scalability refers to the ability to increase the size and
capacity of the server computer without unreasonable hassle. It’s a
major mistake to purchase a server computer that just meets your current
needs because, you can rest assured, your needs will double within
a year. If at all possible, equip your servers with far more disk space,
RAM, and processor power than you currently need.
for your network:
Scalability: Scalability refers to the ability to increase the size and
capacity of the server computer without unreasonable hassle. It’s a
major mistake to purchase a server computer that just meets your current
needs because, you can rest assured, your needs will double within
a year. If at all possible, equip your servers with far more disk space,
RAM, and processor power than you currently need.
✦ Reliability:
The old adage “you get what you pay for” applies especially well to server computers.
One reason is reliability. When a client computer fails, only the person
who uses that computer is affected. When a server fails, however, everyone
on the network is affected. The less-expensive computer is probably
made of inferior components that are more likely to fail.
who uses that computer is affected. When a server fails, however, everyone
on the network is affected. The less-expensive computer is probably
made of inferior components that are more likely to fail.
✦ Availability:
This concept of availability is closely related to reliability.
When a server computer fails, how long does it take to correct the
problem and get the server up and running again? Server computers are
designed so their components can be easily diagnosed and replaced,
which minimizes the downtime that results when a component fails. In
some servers, components are hot swappable, which means that certain
components can be replaced without shutting down the server. Some
servers are designed to be fault-tolerant so that they can continue to
operate even if a major component fails.
When a server computer fails, how long does it take to correct the
problem and get the server up and running again? Server computers are
designed so their components can be easily diagnosed and replaced,
which minimizes the downtime that results when a component fails. In
some servers, components are hot swappable, which means that certain
components can be replaced without shutting down the server. Some
servers are designed to be fault-tolerant so that they can continue to
operate even if a major component fails.
✦ Service and support:
Service and support are factors often overlooked
when picking computers. If a component in a server computer fails, do
you have someone on site qualified to repair the broken computer? If
not, you should get an on-site maintenance contract for the computer.
Don’t settle for a maintenance contract that requires you to take the
computer in to a repair shop or, worse, mail it to a repair facility. You
can’t afford to be without your server that long.
when picking computers. If a component in a server computer fails, do
you have someone on site qualified to repair the broken computer? If
not, you should get an on-site maintenance contract for the computer.
Don’t settle for a maintenance contract that requires you to take the
computer in to a repair shop or, worse, mail it to a repair facility. You
can’t afford to be without your server that long.
Components of a server computer
The hardware components that comprise a typical server computer are similar
to the components used in less expensive client computers. However,
server computers are usually built from higher-grade components than
client computers for the reasons given in the preceding section. The following
paragraphs describe the typical components of a server computer:
to the components used in less expensive client computers. However,
server computers are usually built from higher-grade components than
client computers for the reasons given in the preceding section. The following
paragraphs describe the typical components of a server computer:
✦ Motherboard:
The motherboard is the computer’s main electronic
circuit board to which all the other components of your computer are
connected. More than any other component, the motherboard is the
computer. All other components attach to the motherboard.The major components on the motherboard include the processor (orCPU), supporting circuitry called the chipset, memory, expansion slots,
a standard IDE hard drive controller, and I/O ports for devices such as
keyboards, mice, and printers. Some motherboards also include additional
built-in features such as a graphic adapter, SCSI disk controller, or
network interface.
circuit board to which all the other components of your computer are
connected. More than any other component, the motherboard is the
computer. All other components attach to the motherboard.The major components on the motherboard include the processor (orCPU), supporting circuitry called the chipset, memory, expansion slots,
a standard IDE hard drive controller, and I/O ports for devices such as
keyboards, mice, and printers. Some motherboards also include additional
built-in features such as a graphic adapter, SCSI disk controller, or
network interface.
✦ Processor:
The processor, or CPU, is the brain of the computer.
Although the processor isn’t the only component that affects overall
system performance, it’s the one that most people think of first when
deciding what type of server to purchase. At the time of this writing,
Intel had two processor models specifically designed for use in server computers.
Although the processor isn’t the only component that affects overall
system performance, it’s the one that most people think of first when
deciding what type of server to purchase. At the time of this writing,
Intel had two processor models specifically designed for use in server computers.
✦ Hard drives:
Most desktop computers use inexpensive hard drives
called SATA drives. These drives are adequate for individual users, but
because performance is more important for servers, another type of
drive known as SCSI is usually used instead. For the best performance,
use the SCSI drives along with a high-performance SCSI controller card.
(However, because of its low cost, SATA drives are often used in inexpensive
servers.)
called SATA drives. These drives are adequate for individual users, but
because performance is more important for servers, another type of
drive known as SCSI is usually used instead. For the best performance,
use the SCSI drives along with a high-performance SCSI controller card.
(However, because of its low cost, SATA drives are often used in inexpensive
servers.)
✦ Network connection:
The network connection is one of the most important
parts of any server. Many servers have network adapters built into
the motherboard. If your server isn’t equipped as such, you’ll need
to add a separate network adapter card. See the section, “Network
Interface Cards,” later in this chapter, for more information.
parts of any server. Many servers have network adapters built into
the motherboard. If your server isn’t equipped as such, you’ll need
to add a separate network adapter card. See the section, “Network
Interface Cards,” later in this chapter, for more information.
✦ Video:
Fancy graphics aren’t that important for a server computer.
You can equip your servers with inexpensive generic video cards and
monitors without affecting network performance. (This is one of the few
areas where it’s acceptable to cut costs on a server.)
You can equip your servers with inexpensive generic video cards and
monitors without affecting network performance. (This is one of the few
areas where it’s acceptable to cut costs on a server.)
✦ Power supply:
Because a server usually has more devices than a typical
desktop computer, it requires a larger power supply (typically 300
watts). If the server houses a large
desktop computer, it requires a larger power supply (typically 300
watts). If the server houses a large
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