In today’s world, no small company can survive beyond a certain size without a network server, regardless of the industry in which it operates. For many purposes, the server in a small company is the heart of the operation, making it imperative that you choose the correct one.
If you’ve been considering purchasing a new server for quite some time but don’t know where to start, keep on reading. In this post, we’ve compiled a list of everything you need to know when choosing a new server for your small business.
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Server Type
Before getting into the details, the first choice you have to make is to decide on a server type. You can choose between tower, rack, and blade server types.
Tower servers are self-contained and often used for smaller operations. They’re easy to set up and maintain, making them a good choice for a small business that doesn’t have a dedicated IT team. Rack servers are designed to be mounted in racks and take up less space than tower servers. They’re also more scalable than tower servers, making them a good choice for businesses that need room to grow.
Blade servers are designed to work together in a server blade chassis, which allows for high-density computing. They’re ideal for businesses with a lot of data to manage and a need for high processing power.
When choosing a server type, you’ll want to consider factors such as your business’s size, budget, and growth projections. A smaller business with limited resources may benefit most from a tower server, while a larger business with complex needs may require a rack or blade server.
Additionally, as a small business working with a tighter budget, buying used servers instead of new ones is an option you’ll want to consider. It costs way less than a new server but works just as well.
Processor and Memory
The second factor to consider when buying a server is the processor and memory. These components are crucial for the performance of your server. The processor is responsible for executing instructions, while memory stores the data needed for those instructions.
The essential factors you’ll need to consider here are the number of cores, clock speed, and cache size. With additional cores, a CPU can process more data simultaneously. The two main factors that affect its processing speed and its capability to collect and process data quickly are its clock speed and cache size.
To decide how much memory you’ll need, take into account how much data you’ll be working with and at what speed. Remember to check that the memory is suitable for your motherboard and processor.
Storage
The third factor to consider when buying a server is storage. You’ll need to consider how much data you want to save and the size of your business when determining how much storage you need. A hard disk drive or a solid-state drive are your two options here.
Hard disk drives, the classic kind of hard drive, store information on spinning disks. Because of their reliability and cost-effectiveness, they’re a good choice for small businesses that need bigger storage but are working with a tight budget.
Solid-state drives are a fairly new technology that uses flash memory for storing data. They’re 10 times faster in reading and 20 times faster in writing data than hard disk drives and are ideal for small businesses that require a lot of speed and performance.
Scalability and Upgrades
The final factor to consider when buying a server for your small business is scalability and upgrades. With your business expanding, your data requirements will also grow bigger. Therefore, it’s imperative that you choose a server that can be easily upgraded and scaled to meet your changing needs.
When choosing a server, look for one that has room for expansion. You’ll want to choose a server that has extra drive bays, memory slots, and expansion slots so that you can add more parts when you need to. It’s also important to check how simple it is to install more parts, such as more storage, or more memory.
If you want to grow your business, you’ll have to choose a server that can expand according to your needs. The ideal choice would be to buy a server that can handle heavier workloads and can be easily upgraded to meet your future requirements.
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Final Thoughts
Choosing the appropriate small business server for your requirements might be the difference between success and failure for your company. Additionally, before settling on a server, make sure it can grow alongside your business. After all, you’re placing the management of the most essential facets of your company in the hands of this technology. That’s why making an informed decision is essential.
