What Are the Most Important Considerations for Buying a Server?
Buying a server consists of knowing a variety of information about what the server will be used for and the types of programs it will need to have as well as hardware configurations. Because of this, there are many components that go into buying a server. This guide will go through what a server is and the various considerations for buying a server that users must know if they want to pick the perfect server for their needs.
What is a Server?
A server is a computer that provides data to other computers. There are servers that are central locations for storing information shared by many other computers, email servers, and even print servers that are designed to ensure all of a company's print jobs are printed on the right paper at the right printer. While servers can run on different types of computers, it is important that the hardware is sufficient to support the demands that will be placed on the server.
Considerations for Buying a Server
There are many things to consider when buying a server and many of them are related to the hardware the server is built with. A server is just a computer that works for other computers, so all of the parts of the computer are important just as they are for other computers. Listed below are some of the most important things to consider that should help any buyer pick the hardware for a server computer.
The Computer Case
Questions to consider when picking out a case: Does it hold all of the hardware? Do the buttons and the lights work? Are there USB ports on the front or just in the back? More so than any other component, the case is self-explanatory in that buyers only have to look at it to know how it works. Understanding what the case does, how it works, and why it's designed the way it is will help buyers make good choices. But the right casehas the potential to make a mediocre system okay and a good system great.
The Size Does Matter
Unlike with motherboards and processors, a case's size doesn't need to be explained. Bigger cases can hold more optical drives and more hard drives, have room for bigger video cards, and are easier to work with. The terms full tower, midtower, and minitower are sometimes used to suggest cases' decreasing size. Buyers will need to think about the form factor. This term refers to the general design of the case's interior, and to the type of motherboard the case supports.
Keep It from Overheating
The biggest way that a case can affect a system's performance is in how well it can cool the interior area. Buyers will want to pay special attention to what sort of fans the case has out of the box and how many can be added to it later. Most all computers have an exhaust fan on the rear panel for drawing out heated air, and some have intake fans on the front panel for pulling air into the case. The intake fan is usually placed near the hard drives, so that they can be cooled before the other components. The more powerful the system, the more additional fans a buyer is likely to see; high-performance servers can also include extra exhaust fans in the case's ceiling, or intake fans in the side panel. One thing a buyer should keep in mind when deciding which fan or fans to use is that the more fans a case has, and the smaller they are, the more noise the computer makes. Large fans can move more air while spinning more slowly, and will in turn keep the server from roaring like a jet engine.
The Hard Drive
This is the most critical component of the computer system, after the CPU and the memory. The hard drive is the hub where the operating system, programs, and data are permanently stored and accessed.
If the server will be used for large data transfers and high-use programs, a large and fast internal Parallel or Serial ATA hard drive can improve the overall computing experience. If more storage is needed or a buyer wants to back up the internal drives, they can add an external hard drive. Some versions available are: USB 2.0, FireWire 400 or 800, or external SATA. If a buyer wants a centralized storage, he or she should consider buying a network-attached storage device. NAS devices are constantly improving, and can be a convenient way to add storage that all of the computers on the same home network can share.
Data Storage and Handling
With the introduction of perpendicular magnetic recording, the terabyte became available to consumers as a larger capacity drive for personal computers. Given how quickly new technology is being invented, it's safe to assume that the drive that's bought today will give a buyer more storage capacity for less money than the one that could have been bought a year ago. When considering storage for server machines, keep in mind how much space will be needed and the potential for increased requirements in the future.
The Number of Hard Drives
If a buyer wants high capacity inside their server, they need only to remember that it doesn't have to be contained all in a single package. Most computers have room for at least two internal hard drives, and a typical large tower can hold even more. A buyer can usually save money by purchasing two 500GB drives instead of a single 1TB. Also, a buyer will want to insure they have available interface ports. If not, they may have to purchase an add-in card.
Memory
Memory comes in several shapes and sizes. It is important to get the correct memory for the specific motherboard the buyer possesses. There are four main types of memory:
SIMM: Single In-Line Memory Module
This is an older technology that dates back to the earlier days of the Pentium. Few people use it today; however, the term is still used by many when referring to memory.
DIMM: Dual In-Line Memory Modules
Also known as SDRAM, it is still supported by many motherboards. It has the advantage of being inexpensive and compatible with both Intel and AMD processors if the computer has the correct motherboard.
DDR DIMM: Double Data Rate SDRAM
It is faster than DIMM; however, the motherboard must have special sockets to support it. This is mainly used on AMD Athlon-based motherboards, although it is supported on some Pentium motherboards.
RIMM Rambus or RDRAM
This was the memory that Intel designed the Pentium 4 around. It is the fastest and in turn the most expensive memory available.
Network Card
When purchasing a network card, look at the available connections that the card allows. This is not as important as it has been in the past since many networks are using RJ45. If the network utilizes a different interface, such as Coax, buyers will want to verify that the card they are planning on purchasing has this connection.
Card Interface
The interface that the card connects to is an important consideration. Below is a listing of the three available interfaces.
| Description | |
| The PCI interface is suggested solution for desktop computers as it is a much faster solution compared to the ISA interface. On the other hand this is a little more expensive solution compared to ISA interface. | |
| The ISA is a solution found with 10 Base network cards. The ISA cards are a less expensive option; however, compared to PCI, they are somewhat slower. | |
| The PCMCIA is a solution that is used with laptop computers and, in fact, are the only option for laptop computers. |
When looking to buy a PCMCIA card, it is important to look at the connection and the slots used as well.
Connection is of course the most important consideration. When looking at PCMCIA cards, a buyer needs to look at the connection, and if any extra cables are needed to connect the network card to the network. These cables can become lost and sometimes damaged. The other options to additional cables are cards that contain the actual connection on the card.
It is important to verify the card being used as it utilizes the type II connection. If the card uses a type III connection, one needs to verify that the other cards are able to be inserted.
Operating System
Most desktop or laptop computers come pre-loaded with Microsoft Windows. Macintosh computers come pre-loaded with Mac OS X. Many corporate servers use the Linux or UNIX operating systems. The operating system (OS) is the first thing that is loaded onto the computer.
Operating System Functions
On the simplest level, an operating system has two functions:
1. It manages the hardware and software resources of the system. In a desktop computer, these resources include such things as the processor, memory, disk space, and more.
2. It provides a stable, consistent way for applications to deal with the hardware without having to know all the details of the hardware.
Even if a particular computer is unique, an operating system can ensure that applications continue to run when hardware upgrades and updates occur. This is due to the fact that the operating system, not the application, is charged with managing the hardware and the distribution of its information. Today's systems can accommodate thousands of different printers, disk drives, and special peripherals in any possible combination.
Processor
The processor is the brains of a computer, so choosing the right one is key. Below are some terms to become familiar with in order to choose wisely:
64-bit Support
Almost every computer on the market today is a 64-bit model, which means it can process 64 bits (or 8 bytes) of information at one time. Due to so many of today's apps, from Windows to Photoshop, supporting 64-bit technology, buyers are better off avoiding 32-bit processors should they happen to come across them.
Cache
Cache can be a bit confusing, especially in part because there are three different variations, and the names are very similar: L1, L2, and L3. Understanding that the L stands for level, will help to make cache easier to understand. L1 is the primary cache. It is the fastest section of the memory and the one most directly responsible for a processor's performance primarily because this is where instructions are stored while waiting to be processed. L2 works in almost the exact same way; however, instead of sending instructions to the microprocessor itself, it sends them to the L1 cache, therefore using slower memory. The L3 cache sends the information to the L2 cache, and is even slower still.
Manufacturing Technology
This refers to the depth of the die from which the processor has been constructed. Over time, they have become smaller and more energy-efficient, and more powerful. The higher-priced computers on the market use 22 nm or 32 nm technology, and the older computers are typically at 45 nm or more. Buyers will rarely need to worry about this, the only exception being that they ensure that their processor works with the motherboard into which it is to be installed.
Buying a Server on eBay
Whether building your own server or purchasing one already built, eBay has vendors that can accommodate your needs. If you want to buy a server that is all set up and ready to go, you can search for machines on eBay using the following steps.
Searching for a Server on eBay
Should you be confident in the type of server you need, you can simply enter the name of it in the search bar available at the top of the page and search for it directly. For a more refined search, you can use the Advanced Search option. If you would prefer to browse the listings, you can begin with a search for Servers, and then you can narrow down the listings by category for a wider search.
You can start narrowing down the listings by navigating to the Computers, Tablets, & Networking, from there, select Drives, Storage & Media. Because there are so many variations of servers, utilizing a direct or advanced search would be advised.
Remember when buying anything on eBay to thoroughly investigate the item you are purchasing, such as a server to be sure it meets all of your criteria. If you are searching for a new server, be sure that the listing indicates that the machine you are considering is new. Also, because servers and their components can be pricey, be sure that the seller has a good feedback rating from other buyers and that the seller offers returns. This will help ensure that your purchase from a reliable seller and get the exact item you need.
Conclusion
For those who need to purchase or build a server computer, there are many things to consider, such as the processing speed of the machine needed and the amount of data it should be able to store. It's also important to consider the network card and how quickly the server will be able to move information across the network to meet the needs of the computer users who will be accessing the server. Whether you are going to build your own server, or buy one ready-made, eBay is an excellent choice because of its large variety of options available at any time.
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