In previous posts, we’ve covered topics such as how to determine whether you need a server, how to figure out how much RAM you’ll need, and different server form factors. But today we’re going to take a step back and try to answer a seemingly much simpler, yet overlooked question: how the heck do you go about buying a server, anyway?
Some companies in the server business may answer the question this way: “just find a nice shiny one and click buy!” However, simply pushing servers out the door without much thought is bad for business – both the business selling the server and the company purchasing the equipment. No two companies have the same IT needs, so if you are buying a server (or a company is trying to sell you on a server) without answering these questions, you run the risk of overpaying or buying a server incompatible with your company’s needs.
According to Samara Lynn of PCMag, there are seven factors to take into consideration before deciding on the server that’s right for you:
1. Price
Whether you have an enormous IT budget or a tight one, price is an important factor to keep in mind. Small business servers will typically range from $500 to $5,000, and your price will vary depending on new vs. refurbished, configuration, etc. Before pulling the trigger on your next server, know your budget and configure accordingly.
For the budget-minded business: HP ProLiant DL140 G3
2. Day-to-Day Operations
What tasks will be assigned to the server? Will it run databases? Email? If so, how many users will access the server? Keep in mind that a certain type of server can be specially configured to carry out different operations at its maximum potential. If your server needs are light, take a look at the lower-end configurations. But if you anticipate a heavy workload, your business will be served best by a higher-end configuration.
Dependability for the small business: Dell PowerEdge 2970
3. Scalability
It’s always wise to plan for the future when it comes to your server purchase. If your business anticipates growth (adding users or data creation such as video or images) you should opt for a server that can scale up as you do. Scalable servers allow for maximum storage capacity, support for multiple drives, and room for memory expansion.
Scalable for the growing business: Dell PowerEdge 2950
4. Data Redundancy/Fault Tolerance
For many businesses, server downtime or data loss could mean utter disaster. If you fall in to this category, keep in mind that data redundancy and fault tolerance are ways to keep servers running and data intact in the event of an emergency. If you need a server with a high level of fault tolerance, be sure to look for something that can perform more complex levels of RAID such as RAID 5 and 10.
For the security-minded business: Dell PowerEdge R910
5. Space
While some companies have dedicated server closets, many small businesses find themselves working with a limited amount of space in which they can deploy servers. When space is at a premium, take a look at desktop (tower) or blade servers. These options can pack a punch while saving you some precious real estate.
For the space-saving business: HP ProLiant DL 360 G7
6. IT Expertise
Maybe you are the IT expert. Or maybe you’re a small business owner and you plan to learn the ins and outs of your server as you go. Either way, the level of expertise the server administrator has can affect which server will best fit your needs. Many servers today feature remote administration and power-on capabilities, which is ideal for the remote IT support call.
For the IT beginner: Dell PowerEdge 1950 with DRAC 5 Remote Access Card Included
7. Environment
If everyone in your office is using a Mac, your best bet would be to go with either Apple’s Mac mini server or Apple’s Xserve. If you’re more of a Windows business, a server running Windows Small Business Server or Server 2008 would suit your needs nicely.
For simple Windows OS management: HP ProLiant DL380 G6
Questions? Give us a Call
Still unsure about which server will best fit your needs? We can help! Simply click on the ‘Contact Us’ tab at www.servermonkey.com or call us toll-free at 1-855-4SRVERS and our IT experts will be happy to answer any questions you have.
