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Server form factors: A guide to rackmount, blade servers and more
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Article
How to buy a server
Server purchases are a compromise between your required power and features, and the budget you can spend. Here's how to figure out how much server your money will buy, and tricks to drop the price. Read Now
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Server features and functionality: An introduction
1U servers are powerful, economical and versatile. While they aren't always suitable for compute-hungry database applications, they are great for everyday business operations. Manufacturers and models vary significantly, and there are countless options. Read Now
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Virtualized data centers turn to 2U, 4U servers
Looking for more computing power to improve virtualization performance? Turn to 2U and 4U servers for increased memory support and expansion capabilities. But IT pros looking to purchase one of these larger form factors should consider whether it would really be able to meet their needs. Read Now
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Blade servers vs. rack servers for virtualization
Deciding whether to use blade servers or rackmount servers for virtualization can be complicated. But in the debate over whether the benefits of blade servers outweigh the disadvantages, cost rules all. Read Now
Editor's note
Budget constraints, reliability concerns and changing technologies present a myriad of options for new servers. Weigh the pros and cons of rackmount servers versus blade and microservers.
This guide to understanding server form factors can help cut through the hype and let IT professionals find the system that fits their needs and budget.
1Blade servers: Big on computing power, small in size
Blade servers add computing power for demanding workloads without the bulk and cost of larger server form factors. Blade servers offer distinct advantages for some applications, including Web hosting and virtualization. But the very properties that make blades attractive to IT pros also generate their own set of challenges.
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An introduction to blade servers
Understanding the features and capabilities of blade servers is the first step in determining whether to integrate them into a data center. This overview will help IT professionals decide if blade servers will benefit their business. Read Now
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The advantages of blade enclosures for virtual server load balancing
Limitations that once made blades a bad choice for virtualization aren't necessarily a problem for today's blade server models. Explore how blade servers have changed over the years, and why they might be the best choice for a virtual environment. Read Now
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Rise in virtualization slows blade server technology adoption in the data center
The rise of virtualization, along with hardware and network factors, has slowed blade server adoption. IT pros that deploy blade servers without conducting a detailed cost-benefit analysis will end up disappointed -- and over budget. Read Now
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How to cool blade servers
Blade servers pack more computing power into a smaller area, but that also means one of the biggest challenges is keeping them cool. How much air movement do you need to properly cool a blade server? Read Now
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What's great about blade servers?
The compact size, computing resource consolidation and low costs of blade server technology benefit businesses, but it might not be right for your data center. Find out the pros and cons of implementing blade servers and figure out where customers can put blades to good use. Read Now
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Watch out blades -- Virtualization cuts through
Virtual storage appliances may cut the blade server market down to size. Local storage and virtualized storage management mean it's time to reconsider the old rackmount vs. blade server argument. Read Now
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Five answers to blade server questions
Don't lose towers and racks just yet. Blade server technology might not be the best alternative. These answers to five blade server technology questions will help you decide which way you should go. Read Now
2Small microservers are a large chunk of the market
The microserver market is expanding -- thanks to scalability, simplicity and more. See how these small servers are shaking up the data center.
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Microservers contest x86 server norms
Simpler, denser and cheaper, microservers have three legs up on x86 servers. But microservers are provisioned differently, making implementation challenging for some. Read Now
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When microservers are the wrong choice
Microservers are more than just machines that fill in where other server form factors leave off. While the advantages of microservers are significant, when are low-end servers more cost-effective? Read Now
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Dell's dive into the microserver market
Dell's microservers may keep up with client device innovation, but application specificity is hindering adoption. See how the company's experience with servers stacks up against HP Moonshot. Read Now
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Intel takes hold of SoC processors for microservers
Leaving behind the x86 server approach, Intel is picking up system-on-a-chip processors for small-computing devices. As more companies seek to build arrays of low-end processors to outperform Intel-based systems, Intel has no choice but to keep up. Read Now
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The microserver fork in the road
Should you go with low-power cores like Cavium, or a high-performance computing approach like Applied Micro? With companies vying for the top chip spot, the microserver market is expanding faster than ever before. Read Now
3Important server lingo
With all of the available server options, you need to speak the language to get the right systems. Here is a list of important definitions that will give you further insight into your purchasing decisions.
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Definition
Blade server
A blade server is a thin, modular electronic circuit board containing one, two, or more microprocessors and memory, that is intended for a single, dedicated application (such as serving Web pages) and that can be easily inserted into a space-saving rack with many similar servers. (Continued...) Read Now
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Definition
Microserver
A microserver, also known as a server appliance, is a compact, less expensive, modular hardware platform designed to make installation and maintenance simpler than traditional enterprise-class rack servers. Read Now
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Definition
Rack-mount server
A rack server, also called a rack-mounted server, is a computer dedicated to use as a server and designed to be installed in a framework called a rack. Read Now
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Definition
Server
A server is a computer program or device that provides a service to another computer program and its user, also known as the client. Read Now
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Definition
Tower server
A tower server is a computer intended for use as a server and built in an upright cabinet that stands alone. Read Now
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Definition
U
A U is a standard unit of measure for designating the height in computer enclosures and rack cabinets. Read Now